Taxi Accident Lawyer in New York City
New York City is famous for its skyline, its culture, and its taxis. Nearly 50,000 cab drivers rush to and fro along the city’s bustling streets, carrying about 600,000 passengers each and every day.1 Many locals rely on such privately-owned shuttling services to get around New York. While taxis help keep the city running, they also pose risks to passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other cars. All it takes is one careless driver. The aftermath can be life-altering.
Fortunately, the law protects people from careless or reckless taxi drivers. When cab drivers speed through crosswalks, blow through red lights, or dash through busy intersections, someone must hold them accountable. With decades of experience and a track record of success, The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. knows how to secure just compensation for the victims of taxi accidents. If you’ve been injured because a cab driver was negligent, we can help you get back on your feet.
How Dangerous Are New York Taxis?
Given the sheer number of cabs (over 13,000, according to one recent estimate), as well as the increasing number of Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing companies, along with the chaotic and congested nature of city streets, it’s not surprising that taxi accidents are common in New York City. What is surprising is the severity of the injuries. According to a study of state motor vehicle records, passengers of taxi cabs are significantly more likely to suffer serious injuries than passengers of other vehicles.
Two reasons account for that figure: one, passengers aren’t required to wear seatbelts; and two, many crash victims hit their head on the partition that separates the front of a taxi cab from the back. That partition, designed to protect the driver from violent passengers, can nonetheless pose a serious danger to passengers.
Statistics: Taxi Accidents in New York City
- New York City taxis make approximately 485,000 trips per day. That’s 175 million per year.
- The city’s 50,000 drivers log in about 70,000 miles per year, carrying about 600,000 passengers per day.
- Taxi and livery-cab drivers are 33% less likely to get in an accident than other vehicles.
- Taxi passengers are 2x more likely to suffer serious injuries.
- Bicycles are 2x more likely to hit a cab than to crash into another type of vehicle.
What Causes Taxi Accidents?
Because of the potential danger to the public, the City of New York goes to great lengths to regulate taxis. Before a cab can hit the road, it must first receive a license (or medallion) from the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), an official government agency. Any violations of TLC rules can result in fines, suspensions, or even lifetime bans.
Unfortunately, rigorous oversight is not always enough to prevent taxi accidents. Despite their extensive local knowledge and professional driving abilities, drivers often play fast and loose with the rules. In the rush to save time and collect bigger fares, far too many cabbies ignore basic safety precautions. In most cases, it’s not the lack of skill so much as the lack of will that is responsible for preventable accidents.
How to Protect Your Rights
If you or someone you love has been injured in or by a New York taxi cab, it’s time to get a professional advocate in your corner. Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or the driver of another vehicle, it’s important to get in touch with a New York City personal injury lawyer who can help you make sense of the legal labyrinth.
You need someone who knows the City, its rules, its laws, its politics, and its people—someone who knows how to negotiate with opposing counsel and deal with entrenched local interests. You also need a lawyer who will listen to your side of the story and represent your interests.
NYC Taxi Accident Attorney
The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has been helping personal injury victims find justice for 30 years. Our taxi accident lawyers in New York City understand the ins and outs of state and local laws. There’s no reason to face the aftermath of an accident alone. With the help of an expert taxi accident lawyer New York City, you can fight to obtain compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and emotional trauma.
Contact our office to schedule your FREE consultation with one of our attorneys. You can also visit one of our mobile law offices, which travel throughout the city seven days a week, bringing justice directly to residents. Call us to find out where we’ll be on any given day.