LAS VEGAS TAXI CAB ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

The Likelihood of Being Injured in a Taxi Accident

Because Las Vegas sees so many visitors every year, the city is home to a high number of cab companies, taxis, and drivers. For example, there are 16 taxi companies serving the Las Vegas valley, around 3,250 cars in the Las Vegas taxi fleet, and around 10,000 cabdrivers. Last month alone, taxi drivers completed over 1,900,672 trips. This high number of vehicles and miles driven makes it much more likely that a passenger, pedestrian, or other driver will be injured in a car crash involving a taxi while in Las Vegas. This is partly due to the fact that many cab drivers exhibit risky behaviors because they are in a hurry to pick up as many fares as possible. In some cases, this can lead to negligent driving, the results of which can be serious injury or even death.

Common Causes

Many taxi cab drivers operate their vehicles with care and perform regular maintenance. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and the results can be devastating for victims and their families. Some of the most common causes of taxi accidents include:

• Careless driving;
• Driving under the influence;
• Driving while distracted or fatigued;
• Brake failure due to poor maintenance;
• Aggressive driving;
• Speeding; and
• Stopping abruptly.

Injuries sustained in car crashes range in severity depending on the type of accident, the number of vehicles involved, and the speed at which the cars were traveling. There are, however, some injuries that are seen repeatedly in emergency rooms after a car accident, including:

• Bruises and scratches;
• Fractured or crushed bones;
• Minor to severe lacerations;
• Burns;
• Whiplash;
• Spinal cord damage;
• Head trauma;
• Concussions;
• Organ damage;
• Internal bleeding;
• Amputations; and
• Emotional distress.

Many of these injuries are extremely serious and require months of painful treatments and physical therapies. Some victims are unable to return to work or resume daily activities for the rest of their lives. Car accident victims may also suffer from emotional distress or anxiety after a particularly horrifying crash. This can make even ordinary travel extremely stressful and require psychological treatment or even medication.

The cost of treating injuries depends on the type and severity of the injury sustained and can be extremely expensive. Accident victims may be required to pay for some or all of the following expenses:

• Emergency treatment;
• Reconstructive surgeries;
• Prescription medications;
• Physical therapy; and
• Transportation to and from appointments.

These costs, combined with lost wages, can quickly wipe out a family’s savings, making it difficult to get by on a day-to-day business. Fortunately, all of these expenses can be repaid if an injured party is able to establish that a taxi cab driver, owner, or manufacturer was at fault in the accident.

Investigating Taxi Accidents

Investigating a car crash can be time-consuming and expensive if injured parties try to take on the work themselves, especially if they are dealing with a serious injury. At Naqvi Injury Law, we have the resources necessary to quickly and carefully conclude investigations. We focus on preserving evidence, which is of the utmost importance to the success of a case. For instance, many taxi cabs are equipped with black boxes that record the driver’s speed at the time of impact. This data can be critical to proving fault, but the evidence must be requested to preserve it. If an injured party waits too long, the evidence might be destroyed, which could be devastating to the case as a whole. We will ensure that any physical evidence from the scene is handled with care and treated in accordance with chain of evidence rules.

Our legal teams also have experience in visiting accident sites, taking photographs and measurements, and working with accident reconstruction experts to recreate the accident. We also have connections to qualified experts who can help discover any flaws in the vehicle’s manufacture or maintenance that may have contributed to the collision. We will also be sure to obtain the following:

• Evidence of prior complaints made against the driver;
• Proof of appropriate licensing and qualifications;
• The cab driver’s driving record; and
• The car’s maintenance logs.

Cabdriver Regulations

Cabdrivers are required by law to adhere to specific regulations and a failure to do so can help establish an injured party’s claim that the driver or company was negligent. For instance, before being hired, cab drivers must undergo a background check and take a driver’s test. If a company fails to ensure that these steps are taken and the driver later causes an accident, the company could be held responsible for the injuries caused. Taxi drivers must also regularly inspect their vehicles and make sure that they meet the following standards:

• The front suspension is in good repair;
• The vehicle’s engine and drivetrain is in proper working order so the engine does not die, miss, backfire, or show noticeable loss of power during normal operation;
• The engine and accessories do not emit loud noises that may disturb the passengers or distract the driver;
• The car is equipped with an air filter;
• The vehicle does not pull to the left or the right;
• The engine and radiator do not allow a noticeable amount of fluid to leak;
• The engine does not emit an excessive amount of exhaust;
• Each window is operable and allows the driver to maintain an unimpaired view;
• The brake linings are sufficiently thick;
• The car has heating and air conditioning;
• The vehicle is equipped with seat belts;
• The car has a mirror located on the outside of the passenger side front door;
• The trunk has a bar to keep the lid open;
• The driver has access to straps to that will enable him or her to tie down the lid of the trunk; and
• The car has appropriately tinted windows.

When a cab does not conform to these standards, the cab company must withdraw the vehicle from service, repair the defect, and record the repairs. If a carrier or driver fails to meet these standards and an accident results, both can be held legally responsible for the injured party’s expenses and may have their permits and certificates of operation suspended or revoked.