Cab drivers in Austin are notorious for their aggressive driving tactics, and taxicabs are frequently involved in collisions and accidents. If you were struck by a taxicab or were a passenger injured in a crash involving an Austin taxicab, contact Flores & Lopez for a free and immediate consultation.
Important Tip: Make Sure You’re In a Licensed Taxi
When looking for a taxi in Austin, look for a vehicle with the official seal of the City of Austin. Vehicles not bearing this seal are “bandit taxicabs” and have no legal authority to operate in the city. They might not have insurance, either. Taxicabs bearing the seal of the City are insured, have trained drivers and are inspected regularly by the City. Although riding in a licensed taxicab does not make you immune to accident, you can trust that you are riding in an insured vehicle if you ride in a taxi licensed by the City of Austin.
Taxi Cabs ARE OVERWORKED
According to a study put out by the Legal Assistance to Micro-Enterprises Project in February of 2010, taxicab drivers in Austin are severally over worked. Further they average $2.75 an hour meaning they must work non-stop hours to earn a survival living. The average driver works 12 hours a day, 6.5 days a week, and 51.5 weeks a year. What does this mean? Drivers don’t get enough rest causing severe fatigue. The City of Austin regulates taxicabs and these taxicabs must follow these rules, and failure to do so needlessly endangers our City.
There are many common causes of taxicab crashes, including:
- Driver Negligence
- Driver Recklessness
- Intoxication
- Fatigue, Lack of Rest
- Failure to Pay Attention
- Distracted Driving, Use of a Cell Phone or GPS Unit While Driving
- Lack of Proper Training
- Speeding to Maximize the Customer Count (this is significant given their nominal pay)
Taxicab Companies try to skirt liability claiming drivers are independent contractors
Throughout the years, taxicab companies always make the argument that their drivers are independent contractors, therefore limiting their liability. We have developed creative theories destroying this sham thus holding the companies accountable for their rule violations.
Unfortunately, there is no shortage of reasons for taxicab driver accidents. The taxicab accident firm at Flores & Lopez, LLP, will litigate your case aggressively to get maximum value. Safety Rules exist and taxicabs are not exempt from these safety rules. When taxicabs violate these rules they needlessly endanger the public. That’s why we try these cases to juries, because juries protect our community and we must hold entities accountable for harming the public.
If you have been involved in a taxicab crash, call us at 512-391-9191
or
Contact us today through our site. One of our lawyers will personally call you back.
