Why You Need a Taxi Cab Accident Attorney on Long Island
What happens after you get into a car accident? Typically, you will make sure to get the contact information of everyone involved and inform your insurance company that you were in a car accident. And if everything goes well, you get compensation for the damage to your car and the injuries you suffered. Unfortunately, this process often does not go as it should, and it can be even more complex when your accident involves a taxi cab. This is where a Long Island taxi cab accidents lawyer comes in.
At Tucker Lawyers PC, our attorneys understand car insurance laws for any vehicle and are familiar with the various types of taxi services that are present in Long Island. We know who to contact regardless of whether you were hit by a Lyft driver or a Yellow Cab driver — and we know what types of insurance they have. Our lawyers use this information to maximize the compensation you receive from your taxi cab accident claim.
Because taxis are one of the most common types of cars on Long Island, if you are injured in a car accident, there is a good chance that the other vehicle was a taxi. Our attorneys know how to get you the maximum compensation for these types of accidents. To learn more, contact our law firm today at (516) 399-2364.
Insurance Claims Are Designed to Prevent You from Getting Money
We Cut Through the Process to Get You Compensation
Getting the compensation you are entitled to after a taxi cab accident can be a long, complicated ordeal. You may need to file a lawsuit to receive additional compensation, but who do you sue when the other driver was in a taxi cab? This can be difficult to determine, especially when there are several different types of taxi services operating in Long Island. That is why you need a dedicated taxi cab accident attorney on your side to streamline this process.
One of the most important ways we do this is by fighting insurance companies on your behalf.
As much as insurance companies will try to convince you otherwise, receiving compensation through an insurance claim is often not easy. This may be because the parties involved in the claim have conflicting goals. You need to get money to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. And if you were hurt badly enough, you may also need additional compensation for your pain and suffering.
However, the insurance company wants to make a profit, and making money means paying you as little compensation as the insurance company can get away with. If the other driver’s insurance company is involved, they also want to pay you as little money as possible, which may mean they are trying to push that cost on your insurance company, on you, or both.
Unfortunately, the insurance company has the advantage in this situation. It controls the claim process from start to finish. Your insurer investigates the accident, determines what information it needs you to provide, and sets the timeline for the process. It even controls the appeals process if you try to overturn a decision it makes.
The Tucker Lawyers PC Advantage
At Tucker Lawyers PC, we overcome the insurance company’s advantage in several ways. First, we independently investigate your claim. The person the insurance company assigns to investigate your claim works for that company. This means they have a financial incentive to find evidence that can be used to deny your claim or decrease your compensation.
Conversely, we work for you. We will scour the accident scene, police reports, and witness testimony to find evidence that supports your claim. The more evidence we uncover, the more money you are likely to receive in compensation.
Additionally, at some point in the process, we will directly contact the insurance company and negotiate for a settlement. This is often an effective strategy, because the insurance company knows that if it doesn’t negotiate in good faith, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf. You can generally receive compensation more quickly this way compared to the typical insurance claim process.
Dealing with Taxi Cab Insurance Companies
When Your Injuries Are Severe, We Can Use a Lawsuit to Get You More Money.
In New York, your insurance policy pays you compensation for injuries up to the limit of your personal injury policy. But you can get additional compensation if you are seriously injured. New York law defines a serious injury as one that results in long-term or permanent disability. Our taxi cab accident lawyers can determine whether your injuries qualify. If they do, we will file a lawsuit against the appropriate party.
Generally, this means we file a lawsuit against the taxi company that will be paid by their corporate liability insurance policy. However, while this may sound simple, it is complicated by the different types of taxi companies that serve Long Island.
Traditional tax companies usually maintain reasonably good policies that cover all expenses of any but the most serious injuries. Other types of cab companies may have more modest policies, though. We may be required to sue both the driver and the cab company to get you enough money.
Finally, Uber and Lyft drivers are usually covered by a very robust liability policy. But those companies also maintain multiple policies, and which policy covers your injuries may depend on exactly what the driver was doing when the accident occurred. We understand all of these complexities and will do everything in our power to maximize your compensation.
If you have suffered serious injuries in a taxi cab accident, you may only be able to receive the compensation you deserve by filing a lawsuit. Contact our experienced Long Island tax cab accident attorneys at (516) 399-2364 to schedule a free consultation today.
Long Island Taxi Cab Accident FAQs
We Can Answer All of Your Taxi Cab Accident Questions
Taxi cab accidents involve a range of complexities. It is understandable if you have many questions about the process. Here are answers the questions we receive most often from clients at our firm about these accidents.
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Can I get compensation if I am a passenger in the cab in the accident?
Yes. Just because you weren’t driving doesn’t mean you can’t get compensation for your injuries. Our attorneys will determine which driver was responsible and take appropriate legal action to get you the compensation you deserve. Thankfully, cab companies usually have insurance policies designed to protect passengers.
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Why would a rideshare company refuse to pay compensation when a driver was responsible?
Because rideshare drivers are driving their personal vehicles rather than company cars, the companies they work for need to define when they are “on the clock.” The rules are relatively complex, but essentially, the company’s insurance policy covers accidents only when the driver has a passenger or is driving to pick up a passenger.
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When should I consult with an attorney?
The best time to contact a lawyer is as soon as you are injured. We need to gather evidence to prove your case, and many types of evidence become difficult to collect as time passes. For example, witnesses may forget what they saw after only a few days.
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Who is responsible when a taxi cab hits a pedestrian or a bicycle?
When it comes to liability, a pedestrian or a bicyclist is effectively a car. This means that the responsible party is whichever driver was negligent. In some cases, both parties might be negligent. However, in general, the driver of a car has a greater duty to be careful than someone walking or riding a bike. Thus, in most accidents, the taxi driver will be responsible.
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If I file a lawsuit against a taxi cab company, do I have to go to court?
Probably not. Typically, when we file a suit against a taxi cab company, we never spend even a day in a courtroom. This is because the taxi cab company or its insurance company will often negotiate a fair settlement relatively quickly. Settlements cost the company a lot less than attorney fees. Accepting a settlement can be a great way to receive your money more quickly. We will ensure you only accept a fair settlement.
We know you probably have more questions about taxi accidents. Our Long Island attorneys are happy to answer any questions you have.
Why Choose Our Taxi Cab Accidents Lawyers in Long Island?
Insurance companies have a history of trampling on the rights of their customers. We believe that every victim deserves to have their rights protected and have been fighting for our clients for decades.
After suffering serious injuries in a taxi cab accident, you may face two insurance companies working against you. Even the odds by speaking to a taxi cab accident lawyer dedicated to protecting your rights. Contact us today at (516) 399-2364 to schedule your consultation.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]