The San Francisco personal injury attorneys at Hogan Injury are committed to helping people who have sustained serious injuries as a result of being struck by taxi cabs or while riding in taxis as passengers. Taxi cab accidents occur with alarming regularity across the Bay Area and these accidents result in many innocent passengers and pedestrians suffering severe injuries and even tragic fatalities. Sadly, many of these accidents could have been avoided all together if the cab drivers would have exhibited better judgment.

If you have been seriously injured as a passenger in a taxi or as a pedestrian who has struck by a taxicab while walking or biking, your ability to recover compensation may rest on the skill and experience of the taxi cab accident attorney you choose. The attorneys at Hogan Injury will provide you with that skill and experience so that you can recover all the damages you are due.

A taxi cab is considered a “common carrier” under law just like buses, trolleys, trains, planes and light rail systems. A common carrier is obliged to use the highest degree of care and safety when transporting its passengers. It can be held legally responsible for any and all injuries resulting from even the slightest negligence.

A person becomes a passenger of a taxi when he/she signals the cab and the taxi stops for the person to get in. That person remains a passenger until he/she has gotten out of the taxi in a safe area. The taxi driver’s responsibility to the passenger continues until the passenger has had a sufficient opportunity to get away from the taxi without injury and reaches a place of safety away from any activity of the taxi that may pose a hazard to the passenger.

Common Causes of Taxi Accidents

It is the responsibility of the taxi cab driver to use the utmost care when driving to ensure that his or her passengers are not injured. Among the most common causes of taxi accidents is driver negligence. Taxi drivers often drive too fast and recklessly in an attempt to get to the destination as quickly as possible so they can make more money by picking up new passengers.

Taxi drivers often speed and drive aggressively at all hours of the day and night in order to pick up fares so they can make as much money as possible. Of course, a certain level of efficient driving is necessary in order to be a good taxi driver. However, taxi drivers are not above the law nor are they permitted to drive illegally just because they drive for a living. Some of the following behaviors exhibited by taxicab drivers are what cause many taxicab accidents that injury innocent victims:

• The driver’s failure to yield to on-coming traffic before making a left turn
• Exceeding the posted speed limit
• Failing to stop in time to avoid hitting the rear of the vehicle in front of the cab
• Careless driving where the cab driver weaves in and out of traffic
• Making unsafe lane changes
• Disregarding stop signs and stop lights
• Making wild, unexpected U-turns
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Taxicab driver inattentiveness and fatigue also commonly cause accidents that injure and even kill passengers and pedestrians. The cab driver and the owner of the cab company may be held liable for an accident that is caused by the driver. If the accident happened due to some type of mechanical failure, the garage and/or mechanic that was supposed to repair and approve the cab for use may also be held responsible for damages.

If you’ve been seriously hurt in an accident with a taxi in which the driver was at fault you may seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost Income
• Pain & Suffering
• Property Damage
• Loss of Consortium

Types of Injuries Sustained in Taxi Accidents

Some of the most commonly occurring injuries sustained by taxicab passengers and pedestrians who were struck by taxis include:

• Whiplash
• Contusions and Lacerations
• Broken Bones
• Face and Head Trauma

What You Should Do as a Victim

If you have sustained serious injuries in an accident while riding as a passenger in a taxicab or as a pedestrian who was struck by a taxi, you should contact the police so that a report is file and seek the medical treatment you need. You also should speak to a San Francisco accident attorney as soon as possible.

A taxi cab accident is more challenging to deal with than a regular car accident because the cab company immediately becomes involved. Often times the cab driver is told by the cab company to get rid of any evidence that may link the cause of the accident back to the cab company or driver. They do this so they can avoid being held legally responsible for the damages caused by the accident. When you get in touch with an attorney right away, your attorney will start his or her investigation quickly to make sure all evidence is collected and documented.

At Hogan Injury, we understand how an accident can dramatically change your life. We make it our mission to fight for your legal rights while you concentrate on recovering from your injuries. We offer a no-fee policy wherein you do not pay us anything unless we win or settle your case. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with you so you can contact us at your earliest convenience.