In the vibrant and bustling city of Florissant, Missouri, taxis, limousines, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft offer an essential mode of transportation for both residents and visitors. However, while convenient, using these services doesn’t eliminate the risk of accidents.
If you’ve been in an accident involving a taxi, knowing your rights and what steps to take next is critical. Our experienced Florissant taxi accident lawyers are here to guide you through the complexities of your case and ensure you receive the support and compensation you deserve.
Several local taxi and shuttle companies serve the Florissant and greater St. Louis area, including: St. Louis County Cab, Yellow Taxi, Laclede Cab, Swoop Transportation, SL Transportation, EZ Rides STL, and many others. Additionally, rideshare giants Uber and Lyft are prominent options for travelers and residents alike.
Accidents involving these services can be complex, often requiring expert legal guidance to navigate the liability and insurance claims process. Our experienced taxi accident attorneys in Florissant, Missouri, are here to advocate for you every step of the way.
Do Taxi Accidents Occur Often in Florissant, Missouri?
Taxi accidents are a significant concern in St. Louis County, including Florissant. In 2021, St. Louis County reported 110 traffic deaths, well above the 10-year average of 75.6 fatalities. Urban traffic fatalities are also a serious issue. In 2020, St. Louis experienced 81 fatalities, which decreased slightly to 71 in 2021. These numbers underscore the ongoing challenges of ensuring road safety in busy city environments.
The Missouri Department of Transportation aims to improve road safety with initiatives like Show-Me Zero, targeting a reduction in traffic fatalities through engineering, enforcement, education, and emergency response.
Rideshare services like Uber have seen a rise in accidents as their popularity grows. In 2021, Missouri recorded 1,234 rideshare accidents, a slight decrease from 1,345 in 2020. However, the number of fatal rideshare accidents doubled from six in 2020 to twelve in 2021. Additionally, non-fatal injuries rose significantly from 12,345 in 2020 to 14,456 in 2021.
If you’re involved in a taxi cab accident, it’s crucial to consult with an experienced Florissant taxi accident lawyer. At Beck & Beck Car Accident Lawyers, our legal team is here to provide the expertise and support you need. Our team is dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of your case and secure the compensation you deserve.
What is Causing All These Crashes Involving Taxi Cabs in St. Louis, Missouri?
Accidents involving these taxis, shuttles, limos, and rideshare in Florissant, Missouri, occur frequently due to several common factors, some of which include:
Fatigued and Drowsy Driving
Taxi drivers for companies like St. Louis Black Car, Yellow Taxi, and A Super Taxi, often work long hours, leading to fatigue that impairs judgment and reaction times. In a busy area like St. Louis, tired drivers are a significant risk factor for accidents. If you’re involved in an accident caused by a fatigued driver, we can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Driving While Distracted
Distractions such as using GPS or interacting with passengers can lead to accidents. These distractions can be even more dangerous. To make things even more complicated, many Uber accidents and Lyft accidents are caused by drivers who are “multi-apping” and driving at the same time.
Aggressive and Reckless Driving
Aggressive behaviors, like speeding or tailgating, are common in high-traffic areas. This type of driving poses risks not only to the driver and passengers but also to other road users. If aggressive driving contributed to your accident, our legal team is here to advocate for your rights.
Vehicle Maintenance Issues
Neglected vehicle maintenance can lead to mechanical failures such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts. In St. Louis, ensuring proper vehicle upkeep is essential for safety. If maintenance issues caused your accident, our experienced team can help hold responsible parties accountable.
Adverse and Harsh Weather Conditions
Weather-related hazards, like rain, fog, ice, or snow, require drivers to adapt their behavior. Failure to adjust driving to match weather conditions can result in accidents.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Taxis frequently navigate areas with high pedestrian and cyclist traffic. Accidents can occur when drivers fail to yield or are not vigilant. If a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist involved a taxi, our experienced Florissant taxi accident attorneys can help you seek justice.
Impaired or Intoxicated Driving
Although less common, accidents involving impaired taxi drivers can have severe consequences. If a driver was under the influence, we are ready to help you address these serious issues.
For immediate legal assistance from an experienced Florissant taxi accident attorney, contact us today. We offer free case evaluations and are never too busy to speak with you.
How is Liability Determined For Accidents Involving a Taxicab, Shuttle, or Limousine?
Liability in a taxi accident can be complex due to multiple parties potentially sharing responsibility. In Missouri, a pure comparative fault state, fault is determined by each party’s contribution to the accident. This means that even if the taxi driver is partially at fault, others might share liability, including the taxi company, third parties, or another driver.
As a passenger in a taxi, you generally have a strong position to recover compensation because you are less likely to be blamed for the accident. Depending on who caused the crash, you could pursue claims against the taxi driver, the other vehicle’s driver, or both. Insurance companies will investigate to determine who was at fault, and your compensation will depend on their findings.
If you are driving another vehicle involved in an accident with a taxi, proving liability becomes critical. You’ll need to demonstrate that the taxi driver was negligent, which could involve gathering evidence like photos, witness statements, police reports, and black box data. Missouri’s pure comparative negligence rule means that your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover damages even if you were mostly responsible for the accident.
When the taxi company is liable, companies like St. Louis County Cab and Laclede Cab might be held accountable for their drivers’ actions. Taxi companies carry insurance to cover collisions, and they can be held vicariously liable if their driver was negligent while on duty. They might also be directly liable if the company failed to properly maintain the vehicle or adequately screen their drivers.
Third-party liability can also complicate taxi accident cases. For example, a vehicle manufacturer could be responsible if a defect caused the accident, or a government entity could be liable if unsafe road conditions played a role.
These situations highlight how challenging it can be to establish fault and recover compensation in taxi accidents. An experienced Florissant auto accident attorney who specializes in crashes involving taxi cabs, can help you navigate these complexities by investigating the accident, gathering evidence, and guiding you through the legal and insurance processes.
What If More Than One Person is At-Fault For the Taxi Accident in Florissant, Missouri?
Determining fault in a taxi accident can be complex, especially when multiple parties are involved. In Florissant, Missouri, the principle of comparative negligence is used to assign responsibility and adjust compensation based on each party’s level of fault. This means that if both a taxi driver and another party are found to be negligent, their respective degrees of fault will influence their liability for damages.
For instance, if a taxi driver is partially responsible for an accident but another driver is also at fault, the court will assess the percentage of fault attributed to each party. This assessment will then determine how damages are distributed. As a Florissant taxi accident lawyer, we thoroughly investigate all aspects of the accident to identify all potentially liable parties and their respective contributions to the incident.
In some cases, liability may extend beyond the taxi driver. If the driver is an employee, the taxi company might also be held accountable for the driver’s negligence. Additionally, defects in vehicle manufacturing or maintenance could shift liability to a third party, such as the vehicle manufacturer. Our role as a Florissant taxi accident attorney is to uncover these details and pursue compensation from all responsible parties.
Understanding the nuances of comparative negligence and determining liability can be challenging. Our skilled and experienced Florissant taxi accident lawyers are committed to thoroughly examining the evidence and pursuing all avenues for holding those responsible accountable.
What Steps Should I Take After a Taxicab Accident in Florissant, Missouri?
If you’re involved in a taxi accident in Florissant, Missouri, taking the right steps is crucial for protecting your health, rights, and potential compensation. Follow these essential steps to ensure a smooth legal process:
- Prioritize Your Safety and Health: Your well-being should always be the top priority. Even if you don’t feel any immediate pain or see visible injuries, get a medical evaluation to identify any hidden injuries that might not surface right away. This also establishes a medical record, which could be vital for your claim.
- Thoroughly Document the Scene of the Accident: Thoroughly document the accident scene with photos and videos. Capture wide-angle shots that show the overall accident scene, including vehicle positions, road conditions, and any relevant traffic signs. Close-ups of vehicle damage, skid marks, and any visible injuries you or other passengers sustained are also important. This documentation serves as crucial evidence in your claim.
- Gather Essential Information: Collect the contact details, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information from all parties involved. Make sure to write down the taxi driver’s name, the taxi’s registration number, and the employer’s contact information, whether it’s St. Louis County Cab, Laclede Cab, or another company.
- Obtain Information From People Who Witnessed The Accident: Eyewitness testimony can play a pivotal role in establishing fault. Ask for the contact details of any witnesses at the scene, as their accounts may help clarify the circumstances of the accident.
- File a Report With the Florissant Police: Call the Florissant police department and ensure that a detailed report is filed. This official report will serve as an unbiased record of the incident and may be crucial in proving liability later on. Be sure to request a copy of the report for your records.
- Consult a Lawyer: Contact a skilled legal representative as soon as possible to review your case. An attorney will help you understand your legal rights, determine liability, and navigate the complexities of your claim. They can guide you through filing claims with insurance companies and pursuing the compensation you deserve.
The Importance of Photographic Evidence After a Taxi Accident in Florissant, Missouri
Taking photos at the accident scene is one of the most effective ways to protect your claim and ensure that important evidence is preserved. Here’s why photos are essential:
- Preserve Evidence: Evidence at the accident scene can quickly disappear, such as skid marks, debris, and the position of vehicles. Capturing these details on camera ensures they are preserved for future reference.
- Capture Details You Might Miss: Stress, adrenaline, and the chaos of an accident can make it easy to overlook important details. Photos help capture evidence you might not notice at the moment.
- Show the Extent of Damage: Pictures of vehicle damage and visible injuries can help establish the severity of the accident. If your vehicle is towed quickly, having photos taken at the scene can prevent disputes over the extent of the damage during insurance negotiations.
- Document Injuries Over Time: In addition to capturing injuries at the scene, continue to document your injuries as they develop. Regular photos can help demonstrate the ongoing impact on your health and daily life, strengthening your claim for compensation.
If your injuries prevent you from taking photos at the scene, ask a witness, friend, or family member to help. Always prioritize your health and safety—do not put yourself at further risk to obtain photos.
By taking these steps, you can protect your rights and position yourself for a stronger claim. Having an experienced taxi accident attorney in Florissant, Missouri on your side will help you navigate the legal process and pursue the compensation you need for your recovery.
What Are Some of The Damages I Can Recover After an Accident Involving a Taxi in Florissant?
If you’ve been injured in a taxi accident in Florissant, Missouri, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your losses. Navigating the complex process of recovering damages can be overwhelming, but a skilled attorney can ensure your rights are protected. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the compensation you may be eligible for:
- Medical Expenses Related to the Accident: Compensation can cover current and future medical costs related to the accident. This includes hospital bills, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and long-term care for any ongoing treatment. A taxi accident can result in anything from minor injuries to life-altering trauma, so it’s important to account for all medical expenses, both immediate and anticipated.
- Lost Wages From Work: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be compensated for the income you lost during your recovery. For more severe injuries that have a lasting impact on your ability to work, you could also be entitled to compensation for diminished earning capacity, covering future income you would have earned if the accident had not occurred.
- Pain and Suffering: Beyond tangible expenses, you may also be compensated for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. This includes the impact the injury has had on your overall quality of life, such as chronic pain, psychological trauma, or limitations in your ability to engage in activities you once enjoyed.
- Personal Property Damage: If your personal property, including your vehicle or any items inside the taxi, was damaged in the accident, you could be reimbursed for repair or replacement costs. This is particularly important if the accident caused significant damage to your vehicle or other valuable belongings.
- Ongoing Support Needs: If the accident resulted in a permanent disability or ongoing support needs, you may be entitled to additional compensation. This can include home modifications, long-term care, assistive devices, or specialized rehabilitation services that help you maintain as much independence as possible.
Understanding what damages you can claim and gathering the necessary documentation is crucial to building a strong case. Consulting with a knowledgeable legal representative ensures that you explore every avenue for compensation. Our dedicated team is committed to holding the responsible parties accountable and securing the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Skilled Taxi Cab Accident Lawyers in Florissant, Missouri
At Beck & Beck Car Accident Lawyers, we bring extensive experience and a proven track record as skilled taxi accident lawyers in Florissant, Missouri. Our dedicated team understands the complexities involved in taxi cab accident cases, from negotiating with insurance companies to pursuing claims against negligent drivers and companies.
We are committed to advocating for your rights and ensuring you receive the full compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. If you’ve been involved in a taxi accident, trust our expertise to guide you through the legal process and fight for your best interests.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards securing the justice and compensation you need.
Locations near Florissant which Paul and John Beck serve include St. Louis, Calverton Park, Black Jack, Castle Point, Moline Acres, Dellwood, and more.
