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Taxi cabs are a common sight in Florida, especially in major cities such as Miami and Fort Lauderdale. As a major vacation spot, Florida offers plenty of business for cab companies and drivers. Tourists and locals alike frequently choose to take cabs so that they do not have to worry about driving somewhere unfamiliar to them or getting behind the wheel after drinking. This is generally a good safety measure, but unfortunately, sometimes taxis are involved in car accidents, and if you are a passenger during one of these, you need to understand your rights.
Whether you are a Florida resident or you were injured in a taxi accident during a visit, the Law Office of Andrew Winston can help. We are a Fort Lauderdale personal injury firm that has a track record of success when it comes to representing victims in car accidents, and we are also experienced at handling the complexities that come with an accident involving commercial transportation vehicles like taxis. We will help you determine who was at fault in your accident and will work tirelessly to obtain the settlement or verdict you need to cover the cost of your injuries.
Taxi cab operators drive for a living and have hopefully been screened by the cab company that hired them, so it seems as if taxi accidents should be relatively infrequent. However, there are a number of factors that may contribute to a cab accident in our state. In some cases, it might be carelessness on the part of the driver; he or she might be distracted by something inside or outside the car, or may be fatigued after working long hours. Florida also has a lot of ongoing road traffic, which creates additional distractions and forces drivers to take unfamiliar detours, which makes accidents more likely to occur. In other cases, a cab driver may fail to see a pedestrian or cyclist who is crossing the road, even when that pedestrian or cyclist has the right of way.
Regardless of the cause, you deserve to be compensated for injuries in any accident that was due to your driver or another driver. Whether you were a taxi passenger, another vehicle driver, or a cyclist or pedestrian who was hit by a cab driver, contact Andrew Winston to learn what legal recourse you may have.
You may already know that cab companies carry a relatively high level of insurance to protect themselves financially in the event of an accident (these company owners will often bring up their insurance coverage to argue their superiority over ride-sharing services like Uber). However, while cab companies are legally required to carry adequate insurance, and while the negotiations between you and the insurance adjuster might seem to be going particularly well, you still need to exercise extreme caution.
Insurance adjusters are often quick to offer a paltry settlement that is only a fraction of what an attorney can obtain on your behalf. This settlement might seem sufficient at first, but it may only take into account your current medical expenses, not future ones that may result from your injuries. To make matters even worse, if your injuries become more serious over time (for example, if an initial soreness in your lower back becomes constant, acute pain) you will be unable to seek additional compensation from the cab company. Once you accept that first settlement, it is a done deal.
Before you accept a lowball offer for the sake of getting money quickly, talk to an attorney at the Law Office of Andrew Winston. We will listen to the details of your case and let you know whether we think you can—and should—receive more from the cab company. We want to ensure that you receive the full compensation necessary to cover current and future medical bills, any lost wages if you have to miss work, and any other costs associated with your injuries.
Being in any kind of car accident is a scary experience, and you may also be suffering from serious pain and injuries in the immediate aftermath of the accident. Your first priority should always be to get the medical attention that you need, but if at all possible, you should also try to document as much information as you possibly can, including the taxi driver’s information, the taxi company’s information, and the names and contact information of any witnesses. If you have your phone with you, you may also want to take pictures of the accident scene. The more information you are able to obtain after the accident, the stronger your case will be. You may be surprised to by what an experienced accident lawyer can do with access to these details.
When you work with Andrew Winston, we will take all the details you provide into account while also carrying out our own investigation to find any more evidence that will corroborate your version of events. For example, we know that cab companies are required to keep logs and records, including complaints, driving records, licensing, and maintenance logs. These documents may contain details that will support your case, and we will work to gain access to all information that we believe will help your case.
Once we have gathered evidence on your behalf, we will work with the cab company’s insurer to negotiate a fair settlement. If we are unable to reach a reasonable settlement, we are prepared to take your case to court. We are experienced trial lawyers who have successfully recovered compensation for clients through verdicts, so we will not hesitate to go to trial if we truly believe it is in your best interest.
To discuss your accident and injury details, and to learn more about our law firm in a free initial consultation, contact the Law Office of Andrew Winston today. Keep in mind that you have a limited amount of time to file your claim, and the clock starts ticking as soon as your accident occurs, so the sooner you contact an experienced taxi accident attorney, the better.
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Do not wait any longer; begin pursuing the compensation you need and deserve today.