Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Yellow cabs are synonymous with New York City, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe. Eleven times per day, a taxi is involved in an accident. Over 3,000 cabs crash yearly, endangering citywide passengers, motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. The victims of these accidents are often left with damaged property, stacks of medical bills, missed time from work, and lasting trauma.
If you were injured in a taxi accident, you can hold the responsible party liable for the expenses, pain, and suffering you’ve experienced. A New York City car accident lawyer from Shulman & Hill will handle every part of the process. We’ll do everything we can to maximize your claim while you focus on what matters most—your recovery.
How a New York City Taxi Accident Lawyer From Shulman & Hill Can Help You
Shulman & Hill is a client-centered firm. You come first. We understand what it’s like to be harmed by someone else’s negligence. When you work with us, we handle everything so you can concentrate on your health.
For over a decade, our compassionate multilingual staff has helped clients from all five boroughs recover millions in compensation. Some of our notable car accident case results include the following:
- $1.35 million settlement for a client who suffered clavicle and cervical spine injuries from a head-on collision
- $1.1 million settlement for a 51-year-old driver rear-ended by a commercial vehicle
- $650,000 settlement settlement for a taxi driver hit by a truck, resulting in neck, head, shoulder, and back injuries
Our award-winning team has won nationwide acclaim for our representation. Founding Partner Alex Shulman has been named a New York Super Lawyer—an honor reserved for the top five percent of attorneys in the state— and one of the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 40 Under 40.
Cab accidents happen due to myriad factors, ranging from the driver’s negligence to faulty vehicle parts. The New York City taxi accident attorneys at Shulman & Hill will investigate, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult experts to determine how your accident happened, identify who is at fault, evaluate the extent of your damages, and build the strongest claim possible.
Our skilled attorneys fight for clients in all five boroughs. The knowledgeable team at Shulman & Hill will file your claim, negotiate with insurance carriers and taxi companies, and fight for you in court. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you.
Who Is Responsible for an NYC Taxi Accident?
Determining liability in an NYC taxi accident can be complex. Parties potentially at fault for accidents include the following:
- Taxi drivers
- Taxi companies
- Third parties, such as other drivers and pedestrians
- Government agencies that maintain the roads
- Vehicle and parts manufacturers or distributors
Large companies often operate taxis, meaning that if your cab driver is at fault, their employer may be liable. However, the cab company may not be liable if the driver is an independent contractor, not an employee.
If another driver caused the crash, that person would be held liable—not the taxi service. If both parties played a role in the accident, your driver and the other party may share liability.
Because of New York’s comparative negligence law, the degree of liability each party has will impact the amount of compensation recoverable.
Working with an award-winning New York taxi accident lawyer who can sort through the specific circumstances of your case is the best way to accurately determine who is responsible for your losses.
Available Damages in New York City Taxi Accident Cases
If you’ve been involved in a taxicab accident, you can pursue economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover the monetary costs resulting from the accident, such as medical bills, physical therapy costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and property damage.
You can also seek non-economic damages, which compensate for the intangible impacts on your life. Such losses include pain and suffering, disfigurement, scarring, and mental anguish. If your loved one dies from the negligence of a taxi driver, you may pursue a wrongful death action to recover compensation for your losses.
Injuries Caused by Taxi Accidents
The taxicab passengers we represent have sustained a variety of injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Whiplash and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Concussions
- Paralysis
- Contusions and soft tissue damage
- Lacerations and deep cuts
- Head and facial injuries
In severe cases, victims of NYC taxi accidents die as a result of their injuries. An experienced New York City personal injury lawyer can help your family pursue compensation for medical care, funeral expenses, loss of support and companionship, and other damages.
Common Causes of Taxi Accidents in NYC
As taxi drivers rush to complete each ride, they may break traffic laws, resulting in serious accidents and injuries. Violating these rules is an act of negligence that makes the driver or their company liable for the damages you sustain.
Common causes of taxi accidents in NYC include the following:
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to follow traffic laws, such as speeding, failing to yield, tailgating, etc.
- Failing to properly maintain the vehicle
- Defective vehicle parts
- Poor road conditions
To establish liability, you must show a direct connection between the accident’s cause and your injury.
Insurance Available in a New York Taxi Accident
New York requires taxi companies to carry commercial insurance policies. In NYC, licensed cabs must carry the following minimum coverage:
- $100,000 per person/$300,000 per occurrence in liability coverage
- $200,000 in personal injury protection
- $10,000 in property damage liability
A qualified NYC taxi accident lawyer will help you take on the responsible party and their insurance carrier to seek the compensation you are entitled to.
How Common Are Taxi Accidents in New York City?
New Yorkers may be surprised to learn that yellow cabs are involved in four percent of all NYC vehicle accidents.
According to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the New York Police Department, there were 3,859 taxi accidents in the city in 2022. That’s almost an astounding 11 crashes involving a taxi each day.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for New York Taxi Accidents?
Taxi accidents are subject to New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury actions. You must file a personal injury lawsuit within three years of the accident date. While exceptions to the statute of limitations exist, filing a claim as soon as possible is best.
If the accident resulted in a death, the statute of limitations to file a wrongful death claim in New York gives you two years from the date of death, not the accident.
Contact a New York City taxi accident lawyer at Shulman & Hill as soon as possible. A qualified New York City taxi accident lawyer will analyze your case and ensure you file your case on time. In addition, timely legal advice can help you preserve key evidence and help you build the best possible case.
