New York City Taxis: Knowing Your Rights and Coping with Accidents

Whether you live in the city, commute in for work or visit as a tourist, you must quickly learn how to find safe and reliable taxi service. Of course, with more than 10,000 yellow cabs traversing New York City streets almost daily, some of the safest drivers can't always avoid making errors or being hit by careless motorists.

Recent Taxi Accidents in NYC and Surrounding Areas

- On June 2, 2012, a devoted Utah grandmother flew into the city with her grandson, hoping to take him to visit some of New York City's top attractions for his birthday. Unfortunately, on their way into the city after arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the visitors' cab got into an accident. According to Fox News, "The taxi hit the back of a sports car, rolled into the highway's right lane and then was crushed by a garbage truck that couldn't stop in time." Both the cab driver and the grandmother, Suzanne Nicholson, were killed. The woman's grandson survived and was sent to a local hospital. Police are still investigating this accident that took reportedly took place during rainy weather;

- On Sunday, July 1, 2012, a taxicab driver crashed into a Greenwich Village Staples Store, after supposedly hitting a bicyclist. NBC News reported that, "Eight people sustained minor injuries, including the cab driver, his two passengers and the cyclist . . . [All] were taken to Bellevue Hospital with cuts and scrapes." While it's still unclear if any charges will be filed, the police indicated that the cab driver was cut off by another driver and then lost control of his vehicle;

- On July 23, 2012, a 28-year-old pedestrian suffered head trauma after being hit by a taxi that "spun" onto a sidewalk at the southeast corner of Second Avenue and East 79th Street. According to witnesses, the SUV taxi that hit the woman was first involved in a crash with a Crown Victoria cab before the driver lost control of the vehicle. The injured woman was then taken to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center for treatment.

All of these serious taxicab accidents occurred during just one recent 60-day time period, clearly underscoring how often New York City taxis get into accidents.

Know Your Rights as a Taxi Passenger

Although various taxi companies may issue slightly different lists concerning passengers' rights when riding in their vehicles, many of these lists are surely similar to that of the Medallion Taxicab Company - it's currently posted on New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission website. This lists notes that passengers have the right to a driver:

- Who uses the discount E-Z Pass on toll crossings and who will charge passengers that discounted pass rate, along with any other reasonable fees owing;
- Who will accept payment with a credit/debit card;
- Who will take the passenger to any NYC destination or nearby airports;
- Who will listen to and take the preferred route offered by the passenger;
- Who can easily speak English and is quite familiar with the geography of NYC;
- Who will provide air conditioning or heat upon request;
- Who will avoid excessive use of the horn and will not play a loud radio (Click on "this link" to review the remainder of this company's sample list.)

Passengers are reminded to always request receipts for their rides and to report any serious complaints to the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission.

Individuals who've been hurt in taxicab accidents should always give serious thought to contacting an attorney to learn about the extent of their legal rights when they've suffered major injuries.

Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff LLP
122 E 42nd Street, Suite 3800
New York, NY 10168
Phone: 1-866-516-5887
http://www.nycaccident.com/

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