Who Is Liable for Taxicab Accidents?

Taxi cabs are still an incredibly important aspect of local communities in North Carolina. Even though rideshare companies have increased in popularity, individuals still use taxis to get from place to place on a regular basis. However, what if you are involved in an accident as a taxi passenger or if you are in another vehicle struck by a taxi? Who will be liable for a taxicab accident?

Here, we want to review taxicab insurance requirements as well as how liability is determined in the aftermath of these incidents.

Insurance Requirements for Taxi Operators in North Carolina

Taxi operators in North Carolina are required to provide proof of financial responsibility. They must provide a certificate of insurance to the governing board of the particular municipality or county where they are registered. When we examine North Carolina General Statutes, we can see that every individual, corporation, or firm that engages in the business of at least one taxicab is required to provide this proof of liability insurance.

Taxi insurance laws changed recently in North Carolina. As of October 1, 2017, the legislature added a provision to state law updating liability coverage for taxis from $30,000 to $100,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, from $60,000 to $300,000 for injury or death to more than one person, and from $25,000 to $50,000 for property damage liability.

Liability for a Taxicab Accident

Determining liability for a taxi cab accident can be challenging, much like any other type of vehicle accident that occurs on North Carolina roadways. When a taxi cab accident occurs, it is crucial that an investigation be conducted to determine what happened.

After any crash involving a taxicab, it is important for law enforcement officials to come to the scene of the crash to conduct their investigation. Additionally, attorneys and insurance carriers will conduct their own investigations into the incident. There are various types of evidence that can be used to determine what happened, including:

• Photographs taken at the scene of the incident
• Surveillance footage from nearby cameras
• Any electronic logging devices used by the taxi driver
• Mobile device data
• Statements from eyewitnesses
• The police report

However, there is an added layer to the complexity of determining liability for a taxi accident. In some situations, the taxi driver is actually the owner and operator of the taxi. In these cases, the driver’s insurance will be responsible for paying out compensation if the driver was at fault for the incident.

However, if the taxi driver works for a larger company, then liability will fall to the company’s insurance. The reality is that the insurance required of taxi companies and taxi owner-operators is the same, so the types of compensation paid to victims should not vary.

Working With an Attorney

If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an accident involving a taxicab, we encourage you to reach out to an attorney immediately. Regardless of whether or not you were the passenger inside a cab involved in an accident or a driver or passenger in another vehicle involved in an accident with a taxi, you need to work with a lawyer who can help recover maximum compensation for your losses. An attorney will thoroughly investigate the incident and help you file the insurance claim. Additionally, a North Carolina taxi accident lawyer will fully prepare your case for trial if necessary to recover compensation for your losses.