After being injured in a taxi cab accident, keeping a level head can be extremely difficult. Many New York taxi cab accidents happen in the middle of extremely busy roads, adding to the stress. Taxi cab drivers who cause the accident might try to evade taking responsibility. Sadly, many of these accidents involve hit-and-run drivers. Nobody expects to be in a taxi cab accident. Understanding what to do immediately after a New York taxi cab accident can help you preserve your health and your rights to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
Record the Taxi Driver’s Name and Cab Registration Number Ahead of Time
This step might seem to be over-cautious, but it is always smart to make a note of the name and registration number of your taxi driver as soon as you get into the cab. Should an accident happen, you might not be able to take note of the taxi cab driver’s name and number. If the driver was at fault for your accident, having the driver’s name and registration number will help you pursue compensation.
Check Yourself and Your Passengers for Injuries
After the accident takes place, the first thing you should do is to check yourself for injuries. If you are able to safely do so, check your fellow passengers for injuries, as well. If you or a passenger are in immediate danger, try to help in the safest way possible. For example, if the taxi is on fire, attempt to remove yourself and passengers to a safe distance.
Make Sure the Taxi Cab Stops
This step seems obvious, but you would be surprised how many times taxi cab drivers fail to stop after an accident. Under New York City regulations, failure to stop after an accident is a Class A Misdemeanor when any type of property damage has happened.
Call 911 and the Police
If anyone is injured, it is always a good idea to immediately call 911 and request an ambulance. The more medical documentation you have supporting your injuries, the better for any potential personal injury claims. You will also benefit from having a police report on file. Whether you file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit, the police report will be an important document.
Take Photos and Gather Information
While you are waiting for the police to arrive at the scene of the accident, you should gather information and take photos. Use your phone to take pictures of the scene of the accident. Try to take pictures that show the damage to your vehicles as well as the location of each motor vehicle. Ask for the information of everyone else on the scene, including the following:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Home address
- Email address
- Driver’s license number and expiration date
- Insurance information
- The make and model of the vehicles
- The license plate number
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Contact an Experienced New York Taxi Accident Lawyer
The sooner you talk to an experienced New York personal injury lawyer, the better. If you have become injured due to a taxi cab accident, you might be entitled to compensation. At Pulvers Thompson, we can help you advocate for your right to compensation. Contact our New York City law firm as soon as possible.
