Over six million car accidents occur across the US every year. In some cases, however, these crashes involve Uber, Lyft, or taxi cab drivers.
No one expects a cab accident to derail their entire day. Before it happens, it helps to know how to react. The steps you follow immediately after a taxi accident could impact your future.
You can use the evidence you gather to file a lawsuit. With help from an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can fight for the compensation you deserve. The payout from a lawsuit can cover your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Don't wait. After all, it pays to prepare yourself.
Keep reading to discover what to do after you're in a taxi accident today.
1. Prioritize Your Safety
Immediately after a collision with a taxi cab, it's normal to feel disoriented. Try to take a deep breath. Get your bearings.
It's important that you remain calm as you follow the rest of these steps. Anything you say or do could impact your accident injury lawsuit. You could miss the chance to fight for compensation.
Instead, try to remember the rest of these tips.
First, move your car to a safe area nearby. Moving your car out of the way of incoming traffic can help you avoid another accident.
Make sure to remain near the scene of the crash. Officers who arrive at the scene will want to see where the trash occurred.
Before moving your vehicle, make sure it's safe to move. If fluids are leaking from the car, get out right away. Call the police immediately.
Don't leave the scene of the crash. Otherwise, officers might charge you with a hit-and-run. You could get yourself in even more legal trouble.
2. Assess Your Injuries
About 1.35 million people die in road crashes every year. Meanwhile, as many as 50 million suffer non-fatal injuries. When left without treatment, however, some injuries can result in long-term disabilities.
Take the time to assess your injuries. Don't rush to move at first. If you have severe neck or back pain, it's essential that you call for help.
Moving could do more harm than good.
If you believe it's safe to move, take a moment to review your injuries from head to toe. Scratches and bruises are normal. Don't shrug them off, though.
When left without treatment, scratches and scrapes could lead to a serious infection. They might indicate you sustained nerve or tendon damage, too.
Sometimes, these injuries can indicate compartment syndrome or another serious condition as well.
Make sure to seek medical treatment, even if you don't think you need it. Otherwise, you might have sustained a fracture or internal injury as a result of the crash. In fact, adrenaline could mask the severity of your symptoms.
You might not think to visit a doctor until the problem has progressed.
Seeking medical help is essential if you plan on filing a taxi cab lawsuit, too. Make sure to visit a doctor immediately after the accident. Keep a record of their name, specialty, and the treatment you're on.
Track any medications you're taking, too.
Keep all of your medical bills handy. Your personal injury lawyer will use your medical bills to calculate your losses.
Make sure to continue seeking treatment, too. Otherwise, a gap in treatment could impact your case. Opposing counsel could argue that your injuries aren't as severe as you claim.
3. File a Police Report
It's important to call the police while you're still at the scene of the taxi cab accident. In fact, you're legally obligated to file a police report in some states, including Georgia. Calling the police can benefit your lawsuit, too.
Your personal injury lawyer will need the officer's official police report when building your case.
While you wait for the police to arrive, draft your statement on your phone. Stick to the facts. Don't embellish.
While you wait, try to avoid unnecessary small talk, too.
Let the police know exactly what happened. They'll make a record of any property damage, deaths, and injuries that occurred. Get the officer's name and badge number.
You can also ask them for a copy of the report. If they won't provide one, let your personal injury lawyer know.
4. Take Notes
While you wait for the police to arrive, start gathering evidence for your case.
It's normal to forget certain details in the days or weeks after the crash. Gathering physical evidence will ensure you don't forget anything.
First, talk to the taxi cab driver. Write down their:
- Name
- Address
- License plate number
- Phone number
Get the name of the cab company that owns the vehicle, too. You'll also need to get the registration and plate numbers.
Did anyone witness the crash? Get the witness' information, too. Your personal injury lawyer might want to speak with them.
Take photos of any property damage, including:
- The vehicles' positions
- Damage to the vehicles
- Skid marks on the road
You can also take photos or video footage of your injuries.
Keep this evidence safe until you can see your personal injury attorney.
5. Contact a Lawyer
Finding a personal injury attorney is essential. Otherwise, you could make a costly mistake trying to file a lawsuit alone. Instead, look for a personal injury attorney with experience in the area.
Some laws can differ based on your location. It's important to find someone who practices in the area where the accident occurred.
Look for a personal injury lawyer with experience handling taxi cab accidents, too. Their prior experience could strengthen your case.
Otherwise, don't speak to the other driver's insurance company alone. The insurance company will want to pay you as little as possible. They might use something you say against you, too.
Usually, taxi cab drivers won't have enough assets to compensate an injured victim after a crash. You might need to bring a lawsuit against the taxi cab company instead. You could argue a negligent driver caused your injuries.
Finding an experienced lawyer will strengthen the outcome of your case.
Cab Cases: 5 Steps to Take After a Taxi Cab Accident
Don't try to handle a taxi cab lawsuit on your own. Instead, keep these steps in mind. After gathering evidence from the cab, consult an experienced personal injury lawyer.
They'll ensure you take the necessary steps to file a lawsuit. With their help, you can win the compensation you deserve.
Ready to discuss your case with a professional? We're here for you.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation.