Taxicab drivers provide a valuable service for the residents and tourists of New Orleans, New Orleans East, and the Orleans Parish. Most taxicabs transport passengers to and from their destinations safely. However, accidents do occur, and they are sometimes the result of negligence on the part of the driver. If you have suffered injuries in a taxicab accident where the driver was behaving negligently, you have the right to hold that driver responsible for your injuries. We understand that this can be overwhelming, though, especially if you are still suffering and in pain from your injuries. Our team of New Orleans taxicab accident lawyers is here to help. We have worked on many cases like these before and can help you build a strong case to pursue compensation to the fullest extent of your injuries. Contact Morris Bart, LLC today at (504) 613-4771 for a free, no-risk review of your case.
Common Causes of Taxicab Accidents
There are a number of factors that can lead to a taxicab accident. Some of the most common include:
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is estimated to be the cause of up to 6,000 fatal accidents each year. Commercial drivers, like taxicab drivers, are among the most likely to drive while fatigued. Drowsy driving makes it difficult for taxicab drivers to pay attention to the road, slows their reaction time, and affects their ability to make decisions.
Distracted Driving
The CDC reports that approximately nine people die and 1,000 suffer injuries in crashes involving a distracted driver each day. Distracted driving includes a variety of behaviors, such as talking to passengers, eating behind the wheel, or even looking at the scenery around you. However, one of the most dangerous distractions is cell phone use, like texting and driving. This type of distraction is particularly dangerous because it involves the driver taking their hands, eyes, and mind off of driving.
Impaired Driving
According to the CDC, 29 people die in the U.S. every day because of accidents involving an alcohol-impaired driver. With a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.08%, the driver’s muscle coordination becomes poor. They have difficulty concentrating, experience short-term memory loss, and their perception is impaired.
Speeding
In 2018 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 9,378 people died as a result of accidents where speeding was a factor. If your taxicab driver is speeding to get you to your destination more quickly and increase the number of trips they can make in a day, they increase the likelihood of an accident, as well as the likelihood of severe injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a Taxicab Accident lawyer serving New Orleans, call 800-537-8185
Types of Injuries That Can Occur in New Orleans Taxicab Accidents
There are a wide number of injuries that passengers can incur as a result of a taxicab accident. Some of the most common include:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
- Knee injuries
If you are experiencing one of these injuries as a result of a New Orleans taxicab accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Call Morris Bart, LLC at (504) 613-4771 for a free review of your case.
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How the Statute of Limitation Impacts Your Case
Louisiana Civil Code 3492 has a one-year limit on the amount of time that victims have to pursue compensation through the courts after a taxicab accident. That means you must file your claim within one year of the date of the accident because the courts will typically bar you from any legal recuse to pursue compensation from the driver or taxicab company after the deadline has passed.
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Establishing Liability After a Taxicab Accident
In order to prove that the taxicab driver or taxi company is responsible for your losses, we must prove that they breached their duty of care and behaved negligently. The four elements that are essential for establishing negligence are:
- Duty of care: A taxicab driver is a commercial driver and, as such, owes a duty of care to the passengers they transport.
- Breach of duty: The driver behaved in a way that breached their duty.
- Injury: The plaintiff suffered a loss.
- Causation: The injuries were a direct result of the breach of duty.
Breach of duty can be challenging to prove. A taxicab accident lawyer can help you by gathering the evidence to prove that the defendant behaved negligently and breached their duty to you, the passenger.
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Damages You May Recover After a Taxicab Accident
Some of the most common types of damages that plaintiffs recover after a taxicab accident include:
- Medical costs
- Past and future wages
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or dismemberment
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Property damage
If you lost your loved one because of a taxicab accident in New Orleans, you may be able to recover:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support and protection
- Medical costs left to the family to pay
- Wages and benefits previously provided by the deceased
How a New Orleans Taxicab Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you have been involved in a taxicab accident in New Orleans, New Orleans East, or anywhere in the Orleans Parish, you have the right to hold the driver or taxi company responsible for your injuries. A New Orleans taxicab accident lawyer can help you do just that. Some specific ways we can help include:
- Gathering evidence like police reports, eyewitness statements, and video surveillance.
- Consulting with experts like medical professionals or accident scene reconstruction specialists.
- Calculating the full value of your case, including the cost of your pain and suffering, to determine what a fair settlement would look like.
- Negotiating with the insurance company to pursue compensation to the fullest extent of your losses.
- Fighting for your rights at trial if we cannot reach a fair settlement.
Ultimately, a taxicab accident lawyer can stand up for your rights and help you pursue compensation for your losses. To speak with a member of our team right away and take advantage of our free, no-risk consultation, call Morris Bart, LLC at (504) 613-4771.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
