When you ride in a taxi, you should not have to worry about whether the driver will navigate safely. Unfortunately, not all taxi drivers take the proper precautions when on the road.
If you were involved in a taxi collision, you might be left with serious injuries and wonder about your next steps. Regardless of whether you were a passenger in the taxi or struck by the car, you likely have rights that a seasoned vehicle collision attorney could help protect. A knowledgeable lawyer could explain who is responsible for taxi accidents in Marietta to help you pursue compensation.
How does Insurance Relate to Taxi Collisions?
If a passenger or driver becomes involved in a tax crash, they can usually begin their case by seeking compensation through the cab corporation’s insurance policy. This is typically an option because taxicab drivers and companies are required to carry some form of corporate insurance. However, these insurance limits only need to meet the minimum requirements established by the state. For example, Georgia Code § 40-6-10 establishes that taxi companies must offer:
- Liability Insurance for Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person
- Liability Insurance for Bodily Injury: $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability Insurance: $25,000 per accident
These corporations do not need to purchase coverage over these limits, but this value might not be enough to fully repay an injured plaintiff. When this happens, a claimant can move on to pursue monetary damages through a civil claim. An intelligent attorney in Marietta could determine if a taxi corporation offers enough coverage to adequately compensate the individual wounded in an accident.
Filing a Claim After a Taxi Crash
If a person injured in taxi wreck decides to file a civil claim, they must determine who needs to face liability for the incident. Depending on the circumstances, this could be either simple or problematic. For instance, the burden of liability changes depending on the nature of the taxi driver’s employment.
Employed Drivers
When taxi drivers are employed by a company, the company is typically responsible for the driver’s negligent actions. Therefore, anyone injured in a collision could try to seek compensation from the employer of the cab driver. These situations could be beneficial for a wounded plaintiff because taxi corporations usually have significant assets.
Independent Contractors
Meanwhile, if a taxi driver is not considered a hired employer, a corporation might view them as an independent contractor. When this is the case, the cab company usually does not have to assume liability for a crash.
When a taxi driver is an independent contractor, the plaintiff must seek compensation from this individual. Unfortunately, this might limit the value of monetary damages they collect, since an independent driver usually has fewer financial assets.
Regardless of who a wounded plaintiff needs to act against, Georgia Code 9-3-33 requires the claimant to submit their lawsuit within two years of the crash. A tenacious legal representative in Marietta could inform someone injured in a taxi accident of who to target and help them file their claim on time.
Consult an Attorney about Taxi Accidents in Marietta
Dealing with cab collisions can be frustrating since you likely should not have been in this situation to begin with. Fortunately, a dedicated lawyer could protect your integrity if you were involved in a taxi accident in Marietta.
Your legal strategy will change depending on the corporation’s insurance policy and whether they use independent contractors, but the right attorney could provide valuable assistance. Reach out to the office today to get started on your case.