Taxis are an excellent option for when you do not have a car available or want to spend a carefree night out on the town. However, as with every other vehicle on the road, taxi drivers must take appropriate care to avoid accidents and prevent harm to others. Sadly, taxi accidents in Elgin are all too common. They can result in severe physical injuries, emotional traumas, and lost income.
If you have suffered these losses after a collision involving a taxi, you have the right to demand fair compensation. A knowledgeable auto crash attorney at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could help explain your rights under the law, take the lead in investigating the crash, and demand fair payments from all liable parties.
Pursuing Compensation after a Taxi Crash as an Elgin Driver
Every driver in Elgin, regardless of their mode of transportation, has a duty to protect others while behind the wheel. This applies equally to those operating private vehicles and those in taxis. As a result, a taxi driver who causes an accident is just as liable for the resulting damage as those in their own cars.
Even so, the law requires injured people to prove that a taxi driver was responsible for the crash. This requires knowledge of the state’s laws and the ability to gather comprehensive evidence. An experienced lawyer at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could pursue taxi wreck cases in Elgin on behalf of injured drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
Modified Comparative Negligence in Elgin
These cases must move forward with the state’s law concerning modified comparative negligence. 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 states that courts will evaluate the actions of all parties involved in an accident and assign blame accordingly. If an injured person carries more than 50 percent of fault for an accident, they cannot collect compensation. A motivated lawyer at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could work to prove that a taxi driver’s actions were the main cause of an accident.
Taxis Passengers May Demand Compensation after Accidents
While taxi drivers must act appropriately to protect other motorists on Elgin’s roads, they also owe a duty of protection to their passengers because they carry them from place to place for a fee. Taxis are known as common carriers. Therefore, a taxi driver is liable for any harm that befalls their passengers due to their negligence. As a result, passengers may demand compensation after collisions that are a taxi driver’s fault, regardless of whether another vehicle was involved.
In addition, the taxi company is also likely to share blame for the incident. The legal concept of respondeat superior states that employers are liable for the negligent actions of their employees while those workers are on the clock. If a taxi driver is transporting a passenger for a fare, that driver is on the clock. This means that an injured rider may demand compensation from the driver, the taxi company, and all relevant insurance providers. A proactive attorney in Elgin aims to ensure that all liable parties provide proper compensation after a taxi accident.
Contact an Attorney for Help after Taxi Accidents in Elgin
Collisions that affect taxis are unfortunately common in Elgin. Drivers may cause accidents by ignoring the rules of the road, being overly tired, or simply not keeping their attention on their surroundings. Any person who suffers injuries because of this negligence deserves the compensation that they need to set things right. This includes drivers of their own cars, pedestrians, and riders within the taxis.
A trustworthy lawyer at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could help you pursue a case following a taxi accident in Elgin. They take care of all the details to investigate the crash, measure your losses, and demand that all liable parties provide adequate compensation. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.
