Before there were ridesharing apps, Taxis were the primary way for people who did not have their own means of transportation to travel. Taxi cabs have stood the test of time, remaining a popular way for tourists and city dwellers to get to and from their destinations. In the United States, there are reported to be over 200,000 registered taxis on the roads today. While taxis can be a great way to get to your destination, there is a risk that you may be involved in an accident. If you or a loved one has been in a taxi-related accident, it is crucial that you contact an Orlando taxi accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso, and Dennis, P.A. is a team of Orlando taxi accident lawyers with fifty years of experience assisting clients seeking justice for their losses. If you have been injured due to someone’s negligence in a taxi accident, you deserve to be compensated for your losses. That is why it is essential that you get the help of a knowledgeable taxi accident lawyer who can help you build your accident claim. We understand that the Florida personal injury claims process can be overwhelming for our clients, which is why our legal team is proud to provide clients with the trusted and dedicated service they deserve.
What Are Common Causes of Orlando Taxi Accidents?
When you hail a taxi, you expect you will be safe when you enter the yellow cab and begin your trip. However, taxi passengers are at risk of getting into a motor vehicle accident just as they would be if they were driving the car themselves. Some of the most common causes of taxi accidents in Orlando include:
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Disobeying traffic signs and signals
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving while drowsy
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Rushing
- Lack of experience
Victims of taxi accidents may face life-altering injuries as a result of the driver’s negligence.
Common Taxi Accident Scenarios in Orlando
Orlando’s taxi services operate primarily around high-volume tourist areas, airports, and convention centers where accident patterns differ significantly from standard vehicle collisions. Airport pickup and drop-off zones create particularly hazardous conditions as taxis maneuver through congested areas with tight time constraints, often resulting in improper lane changes, sudden stops, and aggressive driving behaviors. Convention center taxi queues present similar risks when drivers rush to maximize passenger pickups during peak event dismissal times, resulting in frequent low-speed collisions and pedestrian impacts.
Hotel taxi stands represent another common accident location, where taxis frequently idle in loading zones, creating visibility hazards for other drivers and pedestrians. Incidents involving intoxicated passengers during late-night pickups from entertainment districts often distract drivers and contribute to collisions. Our Orlando personal injury attorneys have documented these distinct accident patterns through years of representing taxi accident victims, allowing us to anticipate defense strategies and build stronger cases for our clients.
The Most Common Taxi Accident Injuries
Passengers of taxis often suffer damaging injuries in the event of an accident due to the lack of seatbelts or adequate protection provided. Some of the most common injuries suffered by taxi accident victims include:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Severe burns
- Back, neck, and spine injuries
- Paralysis
- Broken or fractured bones
- Crushed limbs
- Loss of limbs
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal damage
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Death
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a result of a taxi accident, you deserve to receive financial compensation for any losses you may have suffered as a result.
Who is Liable for a Taxi Accident in Orlando?
Depending on the details of your accident, there are a few different parties that may be held responsible for the incident.
- The Taxi Driver: If the taxi driver was acting negligently, they may be held liable for the injuries and losses suffered by the victims of the accident.
- The Vehicle Manufacturer: If the accident occurred as a result of a malfunction or manufacturing defect with the taxi, that company may be held liable for the accident.
- Other Driver: The accident may have been caused by another negligent driver. If that is the case, they may be held responsible for the losses and injuries of the taxi accident victims.
If you are unsure of who should be held responsible for your injuries after a taxi accident, an experienced Orlando taxi accident may be able to help.
Orlando’s Taxi Regulations and Their Impact on Accident Claims
Orlando maintains specific municipal regulations for taxi operations that significantly impact liability in accident cases. City ordinances establish minimum insurance requirements, driver background check standards, and vehicle inspection protocols that exceed those for private vehicles. When taxi companies fail to comply with these regulations, our attorneys can leverage these violations to establish negligence per se, strengthening your claim for compensation.
The Vehicle-for-Hire Ordinance requires Orlando taxis to maintain commercial liability insurance with higher coverage limits than private vehicles, potentially increasing the compensation available to accident victims. Additionally, taxis must undergo regular safety inspections, maintain specific record-keeping requirements, and adhere to strict driver qualification standards.
Our legal team thoroughly investigates compliance with these regulations after every taxi accident, often uncovering evidence of regulatory violations that establishes a pattern of negligence by the taxi company rather than just the individual driver.
Can You Collect Damages From a Taxi Accident Claim?
If you have been injured in an Orlando taxi accident, you may be owed financial compensation for your losses. While many people assume that you may only pursue damages for physical injuries, that is not the case. Accident victims have the right to pursue financial compensation for physical, emotional, and psychological injuries that they may have suffered due to the at-fault party’s negligence. Some of the damages that you may be eligible to receive include:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost earning potential
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Our team of knowledgeable taxi accident lawyers may be able to help you understand what damages you are eligible to collect by going over the details of your claim. We look forward to helping you pursue the maximum amount in financial compensation you are owed.
Liability Differences Between Traditional Taxis and Rideshare Services
Traditional taxi companies and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft operate under fundamentally different liability structures that significantly impact accident claims. Conventional taxi drivers typically qualify as employees rather than independent contractors, making their companies potentially liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior for accidents occurring within the scope of employment. This employment relationship often provides accident victims with access to more substantial corporate assets and insurance coverage compared to rideshare accidents.
Unlike rideshare services that provide varying coverage levels depending on the driver’s status within the app, taxi companies must maintain consistent commercial liability coverage whenever their vehicles are in operation. This distinction eliminates coverage disputes common in rideshare accident cases where insurance companies argue over which policy applies at the time of collision. Our attorneys understand these critical differences and how they affect the strategy for pursuing maximum compensation in taxi accident cases versus rideshare incidents.
Get Personalized Legal Help
Since 1966, our board-certified attorneys have personally handled thousands of injury cases with exceptional care and attention. Each case receives collaborative support from our entire team.
Contact an Orlando Taxi Accident Lawyer from Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso, & Dennis, P.A.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a taxi accident, you deserve justice for the losses you have suffered as a result of the at-fault party’s negligent acts. To get help building a strong taxi accident claim, contact an Orlando taxi accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso, and Dennis, P.A. is a team of Orlando taxi accident lawyers with fifty years of experience helping clients in Orlando, Florida, pursue the financial compensation they are owed. We are proud to offer our clients the dedicated and award-winning representation they deserve. To schedule a free consultation, fill out our online contact form or call (407) 843-7060.
Legally Written and Reviewed by a Managing Partner
Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, P.A.
Our content is written and reviewed by our founding attorneys Butch Wooten, Orman Kimbrough, Mike Damaso, and Tom Dennis. Helping the injured since 1966, they’ve successfully handled thousands of personal injury cases across Florida. Whether you’re a Florida resident or an out-of-state visitor injured in Florida, we’re dedicated to providing clear and reliable information to help you navigate your legal options confidently.