Sometimes, it’s easier to wave down a taxi than to search and order an Uber ride. St. Pete is a lively city and the fifth most populous city in Florida. Due to its population, various means of transportation help people get from one point of the city to the other. Even with the coming of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, many people have not abandoned using the good old taxis.
But, what happens when the taxi you have just boarded crashes into another vehicle, leaving you or a loved one badly injured? A taxi accident is an unfortunate incident that nobody wishes for. If you fine yourself in this situation, you will need to hire a St. Petersburg taxi lawyer. Sadly, many people are victims of one form of motor accident or the other all over the United States. What do you do when this happens to you or someone you care about? An insurance policy in St. Petersburg usually covers taxis. Still, truthfully, nobody will own up to a fault and pay you the compensation you deserve unless you fight for it.
Let a St. Petersburg taxi lawyer fight for your compensation the legal way.
CAUSES OF TAXI ACCIDENTS IN ST PETERSBURG
There are several significant causes of taxi accidents in St Pete. The commonest being:
1. Distracted Driving
Driving distracted is a temporary loss of concentration behind the steering wheel. This loss of concentration is one of the leading causes of motor accidents and, more specifically, taxi accidents in the United States. Common examples of distracted driving are texting while driving, distraction by another person or passenger, a wandering mind, rubbernecking, eating, drinking, and changing the car settings while driving (for example, changing the air conditioning temperature and the radio)
2. DUI
DUI is driving under the influence. Influence can be an influence of alcohol or a controlled substance like a hard drug. Where your driver drives under the influence, he is putting you, other road users, and himself in great danger.
3. Over-speeding
Florida has laws that provide minimum and maximum speed limits in residential areas, commercial areas, and just anywhere. When a driver moves faster than the maximum speed limit stipulated by law, they put himself, the passenger, and other road users at risk. You should know the authorized speed limit and have every right to tell a driver to slow down his speed to avoid a catastrophe. Where you suffer an accident due to the driver’s speed, you deserve compensation.
4. Tailgating
When a driver drives too closely behind another car, this is tailgating. Tailgating is harmful and can land your taxi in trouble. When a person drives too close to another, he risks himself. The car in front can stop abruptly for any reason, which will leave the tailgating car crashing into it. Whiplash injuries are the most frequent consequences of tailgating
5. Bad vehicle condition
Some vehicles are not road worthy and should not be put on the road. Accidents caused by brake failure, overheating the engine, and bad tires, can lead to serious injuries. If you or someone you know suffers an injury due to a lousy vehicle, contact a Taxi Accident lawyer to help you present your case.
6. Aggression
Sadly, aggression behind the steering wheel is real, and it is a leading cause of taxi accidents.
7. Fatigue driving
Overworking and lack of sleep are some of the causes of fatigue. A driver should not get behind the wheels in a state of exhaustion. Get enough sleep, and rest after strenuous work hours. A crash caused by fatigue driving can lead to damages awarded against the Taxi Driver.
8. Disobeying traffic signs (running a red light)
Something as small as running a red light can lead to a big catastrophe. Not only the driver and passenger will be at risk. Other motor drivers and pedestrians can be hit and even killed if a driver chooses to disobey traffic lights and stop signs.
9. Failure to yield right of way
The law provides instances where a driver is required to yield right of way to another motorist or a pedestrian. A taxi driver must know these instances, and if they know them, they should not be disregarded to avoid an accident. The Florida Statues 316.121 and 316.123 provide instances where a motorist in St Petersburg is expected to yield the right of way to another.
● After stopping at a stop sign or light, when a vehicle “is approaching so closely on said highway as to constitute an immediate hazard” (Fla. Stat. 316.123)
● Approaching an intersection where another vehicle has already entered the intersection (Fla. Stat. 316.121)
● If a vehicle pulls onto a state highway from another road unless a traffic control device directs otherwise (Fla. Stat. 316.121)
● When pedestrians are present in certain situations or when other vehicles are stopped for pedestrians (Fla. Stat. 316.130)
● When turning left (Fla. Stat. 316.122)
10. Failure to keep the proper lane and Improper Lane change
In St Petersburg, failure to keep the appropriate lane and improper lane changes are leading causes of road accidents. Drivers who fail to keep their lanes or change lanes without minding or signaling other road users act recklessly. A crash from any of these can leave victims with serious injuries.
INJURIES THAT CAN BE SUSTAINED
Several injuries can arise from a taxi accident; the severity will depend on how bad the crash was.
A few of them are listed below:
● Sprain
● Fracture
● Seatbelt injuries
And more severe injuries like.
● Spinal cord injuries
● Whiplash
● Brain Injuries
● Broken bones and ribs
● Damaged internal organs
● First, second, and third-degree burns
Life- long Injuries like
● Dementia
● Paralysis
● Amputation
● Loss of sight
● Wrongful death
An injury from an accident can be complex. Consequently, that is why compensation is about the least relief the party at fault or their insurance company can give to a victim of a crash or their loved one where the crash resulted in death.
WHAT COMPENSATION WILL I GET IF I AM HURT?
If you have suffered an injury from a taxi accident, you can get financial compensation called damages. Damages will cover all expenses emanating from the injury sustained. Expenses incurred from treating the injury and money lost due to the injury suffered can all be compensated for.
Hospital bills, money for an ambulance, the cost of prescription medicine, and rehab are expenses incurred from treating the injury. Loss of wages and opportunity are examples of money lost due to an injury suffered.
Accidents result in compensation for:
- Medical Expenses
- Loss of wages
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of opportunity and reduced earning capacity
- Physical deformity
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
Pain, suffering, mental anguish, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life cannot be quantified. Damages to be awarded will depend on the severity of the injury suffered and the court’s discretion.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO BRING MY ACTION TO COURT?
You do not have forever to decide whether you want to file your taxi accident claim. It would be best to do so timeously where you have a cause of action and intend to bring it to court. In Florida, a person has only four years to get their accident claim being a personal injury. This is by virtue of the Statute of Limitation, a law that stipulates the time limit for actions. The deceased’s surviving relative has two years to sue for wrongful death where the death occurred.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A TAXI ACCIDENT
1. Seek Medical Attention:
When you suffer a taxi accident, whether it is severe or just a slight bruise, you should get medical attention. Sadly, some people do not suffer physical injuries but have their internal organs affected. Always get the opinion of a medical practitioner to ascertain your state of health.
2. Contact a St. Petersburg taxi lawyer
If you suffer a taxi accident and wish to pursue your compensation in St Petersburg, consider contacting us to employ our expertise in providing you with top-notch legal representation and claim the financial compensation you deserve.
3. Keep Records
You should keep records of medical bills and expenses. Keep all possible records. Keep pictures of the accident scene to help you claim your financial relief.
Useful Links
1. The 2021 Florida Statutes
2. Tampa Taxi Accident Lawyer
https://personalinjurylawyer.colemanlawgroup.com/legal-services/tampa-taxi-accident-lawyer.html
