Can I Claim Compensation after a Taxi Accident?

Taxis are a convenient and invaluable way to get around for many people in the UK. The black cab is an iconic image particularly associated with our capital city. There are around 20,000 taxi cabs in London alone, and this figure does not include the thousands of private hire cabs and vehicles around the country. For many, driving or travelling in a taxi is a wholly pleasant experience. However, occasionally an accident can happen. In times that these, it is helpful to know if you can make a taxi accident claim.

Accident as a passenger

Being involved in a taxi accident as a passenger can be a traumatic, painful and dangerous experience. Luckily, if you are injured in such a manner it is possible to claim compensation to help with your recovery.

If the accident was the fault of the taxi driver, then it would be possible to seek compensation from the insurers of the taxi. It is a legal right to seek damages if you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault. The money is designed to compensate you for the pain and suffering, as well as reimburse you for any expenses the accident has caused, for example lost earnings or medical costs. If the accident was caused by another vehicle on the road – for example if the taxi was hit from behind by a car – then it would be possible to claim compensation from that persons insurance.

If you have been involved in an accident, after making sure everyone is safe and not seriously injured, then remembering a few little steps can improve your case down the line. Take the name and registration number of the taxi driver and any other vehicles involved. Also take the details of any witnesses to the accident, and take photos of the scene if possible. Most importantly, seek medical attention for your injuries. Even if you don’t feel badly injured, getting checked by a medical professional is crucial as some symptoms are not always apparent immediately.

Accident as a taxi driver

Taxi drivers are on the whole one of the safest demographics when it comes to road traffic accidents. However, accidents can happen to anyone, and taxi drivers have all the same legal rights as everyone else. If the accident was not your fault then you can claim compensation for your injuries from the third party. Claiming back the earnings you may have lost due to the accident is possible on top of any compensation money you may be awarded.

Travelling by taxi is on the whole a safe and stress-free way to travel. It is crucial however, to know your rights in an accident if things do go wrong.

Ashley Ainsworth are experienced and professional specialists in taxi accident claims. We have been helping people to claim no win no fee compensation for well over a decade.