chicago taxi accident lawyers

Chicago Taxi Cab Accident Attorneys

Despite the increase in popularity of Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies, taxi cabs are still the most popular form of private transportation for people in Chicago that do not want to drive their own vehicles around the city. When you hail a cab, you expect to get to your destination safely, but taxi cab accidents in Chicago are more common than most people realize.

At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we have helped many clients to secure the compensation they deserved after being injured in a taxi cab accident in Chicago. Contact us today to discuss how we can put our experience to work for you.

Common Causes of Taxi Cab Accidents in Chicago

Taxi cab accidents happen for a number of different reasons all across the city. The sheer number of vehicles on the road in Chicago, especially during rush hour, are a recipe for disaster when it comes to taxi accidents. Driving angry or frustrated can lead to rash decisions on the road that can cause an accident, and with all of the machinery and chatter with their home station, it is easy for taxi drivers to get distracted on the road. Taxi drivers also work long hours. Many cab drivers handle fares while they are fatigued, leading to accidents across the city.

Types of Cab Accident Injuries

Given the speed of the taxi at the time of the accident and the other vehicles involved, injuries sustained in Chicago taxi cab accidents can be severe and life-altering. Some of the most common injuries our office has seen which resulted from taxi cab accidents include:

Some of these injuries can take months or years for victims to fully recover from, while some victims may suffer from a permanent disability and need a lifetime of care. An experienced personal injury attorney at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help you to pursue the compensation that you are owed for your injuries and losses and protect your rights when dealing with insurance companies.

Liability in Chicago Taxi Cab Accidents

Taxi cabs in Chicago are considered common carriers. As a result, cab drivers and the companies which employ them owe an incredibly high duty of care to the passengers they drive. If you are injured in a taxi accident because of your driver, or if you are struck by a taxi as a pedestrian, both the driver and the cab company can be liable for damages. The driver is liable because he caused the accident. The cab company could also liable because the driver is an employee of the company who caused the accident in the course and scope of his employment, or because the cab company hired and retained a dangerous driver.

If you are a passenger in a taxi that is struck by another vehicle, the driver of that vehicle, your cab driver, and the cab company can all potentially be liable for the injuries you sustain as a result of the crash. The driver of the other vehicle can be held liable because he caused the accident. However, your cab driver and the cab company can also still be liable for damages. This is because the common carrier laws in Illinois hold cab companies and other businesses that transport people to the highest possible standard. So, if there was anything that the cab driver could have done to avoid or mitigate the accident, the driver and cab company could be liable for your damages as well.

Chicago Cab Accident Compensation

Compensation for Chicago taxi cab accidents can include both economic and non-economic damages for the victim. Economic damages include out-of-pocket costs, such as current and future medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and the loss of future earnings and benefits. Non-economic damages cover payment for pain and suffering, the loss of enjoyment of life, disability, and disfigurement.

In the most severe cab accidents, where the victim dies as a result, surviving family members may be eligible to bring a wrongful death claim. The claim can seek compensation for funeral costs as well as non-economic damages for the loss of love, security, companionship, and consortium.

How a Lawyer Can Help You After a Chicago Taxi Cab Accident

Hiring a car accident attorney after a cab accident is the best way to preserve your right to pursue compensation. A lawyer at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. will immediately begin to collect evidence about the accident and start to build the best possible case for compensation for your injuries. Your attorney also will serve as a shield between you and the insurance companies, preventing them from making hounding phone calls demanding a statement about your accident or pressuring you to accept a settlement offer that may be worth far less than the true value of your claim. When you hire an attorney, the insurance companies will be required to go through the attorney with any communications or negotiations for a settlement of your case. If a full and fair settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will be ready to take your case to trial and zealously advocate on your behalf for the compensation you deserve.

Our Chicago Taxi Cab Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Serve You

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has a long record of obtaining results for clients in Chicago and throughout Illinois. Since our founding in 1982, we have secured more than $2.5 billion in verdicts and settlements on our clients’ behalf, including a $148 million verdict in August 2017 – the highest personal injury compensatory verdict in Illinois history. We can put that experience to work for you if you recently suffered injury or lost a loved one in a taxi cab accident. To learn more about how we can help you, call or reach us online today for a free consultation.