Tampa Taxi Accident Attorneys
Although rideshare services have gained popularity in recent years, they have not made a dent in local taxi services in the metropolitan Tampa area. Taxis continue to be a popular source of transportation in Tampa, FL, for tourists and locals alike.
People usually choose to use a taxi service for reasons related to convenience or safety. Yet sometimes, the opposite occurs speeding or reckless driving by a taxi driver can lead to an accident, injuries, or even death.
When you are injured in an accident involving a taxi cab, you need a taxi accident lawyer in Tampa, FL to help you navigate the complicated insurance claims process. Without legal representation, you risk being left without the compensation you need to adequately cover the damage done by a reckless cab driver.
If you have been injured in a Tampa, FL, taxi accident, Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys is ready to help. We have been fighting for justice for injured clients in Tampa for over 25 years, with a track record that shows they know how to get results.
Call Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys to speak with a Tampa, FL, taxi accident lawyer about how to gain compensation after a taxi accident in Tampa.
Why Choose Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys?
Over $100 Million Recovered for Clients
If there is any one factor that best highlights the skill of a law firm, it is the total compensation value they have won for their clients. Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys is proud to have recovered over $100 million through court verdicts and settlements for our clients in Tampa.
Our track record reflects the skill and expertise of Frank and Jennifer Fernandez, proving they have what it takes to gain justice for injured clients in Tampa, FL.
Award-Winning Trial Attorneys
Most personal injury cases settle out of court. A settlement can be cheaper for an insurance company than a court battle, but there is another reason for this as well. Not all personal injury attorneys possess the skill and expertise to win a court verdict.
Settlement is viewed by lawyers as the safe route, even when it means a smaller payout for the client. However, we are not just willing to go to court at Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys it is what we are best at. Our courtroom skills have led to various national recognitions and awards, including from the Better Business Bureau, SuperLawyers, Who’s Who, and Tampa Bay Magazine.
Leaders in Tampa Personal Injury Law for 25 Years
There is no substitute for experience. For over 25 years, Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys has been a leader in personal injury law in Tampa, FL. Injured individuals and their loved ones continue to turn to Frank and Jennifer Fernandez, trusting them to successfully fight for justice after another’s negligence resulted in costly injuries.
Throughout the many years we have spent serving the residents of Tampa, FL, we have continued to grow a successful track record, positive reviews, and a reputation for excellent representation.
Thousands of Positive Online Reviews
Every personal injury lawyer in Tampa, FL, has a website designed to showcase a lawyer’s skill. The many options can leave potential clients feeling uncertain about how to choose the best lawyer for their case.
There is one area in that no amount of marketing can mask online client reviews. Lawyers do not have control over what their clients post about them on the internet, and dissatisfied clients are quick to leave bad reviews online.
At Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys, we are proud of our thousands of positive client reviews posted online. They show that our firm succeeds at achieving justice for those we represent.
Frank and Jennifer Fernandez Handle Every Case
Larger personal injury law firms often boast about the size of their legal team, leaving clients unaware that size can be a disadvantage. It is a common practice among large law firms to pass cases around to multiple attorneys or even other staff members.
Large firms often lose clients in the shuffle, unclear on who is handling their case or how things are proceeding. At Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys, Frank and Jennifer Fernandez personally handle every case.
We intentionally keep our firm small to ensure that each client receives the attention they deserve. Based on our results and client review, we think this approach is a winning one.
Accidents Statistics in Tampa
Tampa has a reputation for its unsafe roads and high fatality rate.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) shows that in the most recent reporting year, the Tampa area continued to hold one of the highest rates of car accidents across the state.
Tampa and the surrounding areas see average annual crash statistics that include:
- Close to 30,000 crashes a year
- Over 200 crash fatalities a year
- Around 20,000 crash injuries a year
While a small percentage of Tampa accidents involve pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles, most involve motor vehicles.
Furthermore, better driving could avoid most crashes in Tampa: speeding or aggressive driving causes 72 percent of Tampa-area accidents. And of all drivers in Tampa, taxi drivers have an established reputation for driving too fast.
Why Taxis Lead to a High Risk of Accidents?
Most people do not take the time to think about the perspective of their cab driver.
Generally, taxis are viewed as a way to increase safety by avoiding drunk driving and/or a DUI, for example or as a source of convenience, allowing you to skip paying a hefty parking fee at the airport.
However, there are some significant safety risks when it comes to calling a cab.
Taxi drivers earn their living by giving rides. The more rides a driver gives per night, the more money they make. This pay structure means that cab drivers have a high financial incentive to get a passenger to their destination as quickly as possible. Faster service means more income at the end of their shift.
Common Taxi Dangers in Tampa
Some of the most common reasons that Tampa taxi drivers end up in crashes include:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
Cab drivers engage speed, push themselves to drive while tired, and use a phone’s GPS and other features when operating vehicles. Some drivers even use stimulants to stay awake longer, thereby earning more money by driving for longer periods than they could otherwise work.
There is also the question of the taxi driver’s track record. Some cab drivers work for cab companies that run both criminal and driving background checks. However, some taxi drivers own their businesses and work for themselves. That means there is much less oversight when it comes to the question of a taxi driver’s history of safe driving.
Most people do not bother to stop and check a taxi driver’s credentials before they hop in a cab. Just because an individual is working as a cab driver does not necessarily mean they are a safe or competent driver.
Liability in a Tampa Taxi Accident
One of the primary jobs of your taxi accident lawyer is to prove negligence. When a lawyer can prove that a taxi driver acted negligently, the driver can be held liable for the damage that results from the accident.
Proving negligence in a Tampa taxi accident case involves showing:
- The taxi driver had a duty of care to the passengers, pedestrians, and other cars
- The taxi driver violated that duty of care
- That violation caused damage to you
- You can offer proof of that damage
A significant part of your taxi accident lawyer’s job is to conduct an investigation, collect evidence, and build an argument proving that the taxi driver was at fault for the accident. Once the lawyer achieves this, the taxi driver can be held liable for the damage.
Who Pays for Injuries After a Tampa Taxi Accident?
Once a taxi accident lawyer proves that the taxi driver was responsible for the accident, it might seem like filing an insurance claim will be a straightforward process. However, that is not always the case.
Which party is responsible for paying for your injuries depends on several factors.
The taxi company will likely be responsible if the taxi driver is employed by a taxi operating service. If a taxi driver operates independently, their own insurance will likely be the source of compensation. But sometimes accidents involve multiple vehicles, and this can further complicate the claims process.
Hillsborough County legally categorizes taxis as vehicles-for-hire and sets strict legal requirements for taxi drivers.
Taxis must carry minimum insurance coverage that includes:
- Bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage of $125,000 per person
- BIL coverage of $250,000 per occurrence
- Property damage liability coverage (PDL) of $50,000
When a taxi accident leads to serious injury or death, these legally required insurance minimums may not be enough to cover a victim’s losses. Even when a policy can adequately cover the costs of a taxi accident, it is rarely easy to convince an insurance company to fairly compensate the victim.
Why You Need a Tampa Taxi Accident Lawyer
It is a mistake to think that you can simply file a claim with the taxi driver’s insurance company and receive compensation for your injuries after a Tampa, FL, taxi accident. Insurance companies operate for profit, which means that they have every incentive to keep their payouts as low as possible.
A Tampa taxi accident lawyer helps you by:
- Working to interpret the insurance policy
- Building a case
- Negotiating a settlement
- Protecting you from making statements that cost you compensation
Without legal representation, you risk losing compensation entirely and you certainly will not walk away with the amount that an experienced taxi accident lawyer can negotiate on your behalf.
In some cases, an insurance company refuses to offer a fair payout for the damage. When this happens, the only remaining option may be to take the insurance company to court for a verdict.
Success in court requires a skilled Tampa trial attorney and if you wait too long to contact a lawyer after the accident, you miss risking the window of time allowed by Florida’s statute of limitations.
Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys has worked with injured clients in Tampa for over 25 years. We know what it takes to recover fair compensation after a Tampa, FL, taxi accident. Frank and Jennifer Fernandez are nationally recognized trial attorneys who are not afraid to take an insurance company to court if that is what a client needs.
Our experience means we have also seen firsthand some of the most common mistakes clients make that cost them money. Failing to call a lawyer immediately after the accident and attempting to speak with the insurance company without legal representation are two of the most costly mistakes a taxi accident victim can make.
At Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys, we always recommend seeking legal advice through a free consultation in the immediate aftermath of a Tampa, FL, taxi crash. Attending a free consultation can have life-altering consequences for your financial well-being and quality of life after a taxi accident in Tampa.
Call Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys Today
After a Tampa taxi accident, Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys can explain your options.
Frank and Jennifer Fernandez have recovered over $100 million for our Tampa clients. Our personal injury lawyers in Tampa know what it takes to succeed in recovering compensation from a taxi driver’s insurance company, and we are not afraid to go to trial to get the result you deserve.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation Today!
The Fernandez Firm – Tampa Office
2503 W Swann Ave #100,
Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: (863) 230-8489