Taxi Accident Claims – Getting Compensation If Injured As A Passenger
By Danielle Jordan. Last Updated 29th September 2023. In this guide, we look at taxi accident claims. As with all road traffic accident claims, to seek compensation, your case must meet specific eligibility criteria. This guide looks at these criteria, as well as who you could claim against if you were injured in a taxi accident. Personal injury claims must also be supported with evidence, and this guide provides a few examples of what you could submit to support your case.
Taxi accident claims
Additionally, you might like to know how compensation is calculated in personal injury claims. We explain the different factors that determine how much a settlement for a car accident could be worth. We also explain the Whiplash Reforms, which could affect how you claim.
If you have a valid passenger accident claim, you may wish to instruct a solicitor to work on your case. This guide concludes with a look at how having the support of a No Win No Fee solicitor could benefit your claim.
An advisor from our team can answer any questions you may have about making a claim for injuries suffered in a taxi accident. They’re available 24/7 with free advice.
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Select A Section
- Taxi Accident Claims – The Criteria For Claiming Compensation
- Time Limits For Taxi Accident Claims
- What Can Lead To Taxi Accident Claims?
- Evidence To Support Taxi Accident Claims
- How Are Taxi Accident Claims Calculated?
- Will The Whiplash Reforms Affect My Taxi Accident Claim?
- Make A Car Accident Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis Today
- Learn More About Making A Taxi Passenger Accident Claim
Taxi Accident Claims – The Criteria For Claiming Compensation
If you suffered injuries in a car crash, you might be eligible to make a taxi passenger accident claim. However, you must meet the claiming eligibility criteria.
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, road users owe each other a duty of care. This means that they must navigate the roads in a way that prevents injury and damage to themselves and others. As part of this duty of care, road users are expected to adhere to the rules and regulations set by the Highway Code.
If the taxi driver or another road user causes a car accident because they did not adhere to this and you suffered injuries, you might have an eligible claim. We look at examples of taxi accidents later on.
In addition, in order to claim for injuries caused in a road traffic accident, you must start legal proceedings within the time limit. We examine the limitation period for personal injury claims next.
Our advisors can answer any queries you have about taxi accident claims. Call them today on the number at the top of the screen for free legal advice.
Time Limits For Taxi Accident Claims
If you would like to seek compensation for injuries suffered in a taxi crash, you must bring forward your claim before the time limit expires. This is generally 3 years from the date of the accident for personal injury claims. It is set out by the Limitation Act 1980.
However, in certain circumstances, there are some exceptions to this time limit. These include:
- The time limit is suspended for those without the mental capacity to initiate legal proceedings themselves. During this time, a court-appointed litigation friend can start the claims process on their behalf. However, if the injured party regains this capacity and a claim was not made for them already, they will have 3 years from the date of this recovery to start the process.
- Minors under the age of 18 have the time limit frozen until their 18th birthday. Prior to this, a litigation friend can claim on their behalf. However, if the injured party turns 18 without a claim being made already, they will have 3 years from the date of their 18th birthday to bring forward a claim.
Get in touch with an advisor to find out if you are still within the limitation period to claim for injuries you suffered as a passenger in a taxi.
What Can Lead To Taxi Accident Claims?
If you were a passenger involved in a taxi crash, you could make a claim for the injuries you suffered. There are two main circumstances in which you could make a taxi passenger accident claim. These are driver negligence or accidents caused by a third party.
Taxi or Minicab Driver Negligence Claims
If your taxi driver failed to follow the rules of the road and breached their duty of care to you as a passenger and to other road users, and you were injured as a result, you could make a claim. Some examples include:
- Your taxi driver was texting on their phone instead of paying attention to the road and crashed into a stationary object, such as a lamppost.
- The minicab driver speeds through a red light and crashes into the side of a car.
- Your taxi driver fails to check if a junction is clear before pulling out, causing them to crash into another car.
Taxi Accident Claims Against A Third Party
If another road user breached their duty of care, causing them to crash into the taxi you were in, you could make a claim for your injuries. Some examples include:
- A drunk driver is speeding down the wrong side of the road, causing them to crash head-on into your taxi.
- Another driver fails to follow the rules of the roundabout, causing them to crash into the side of the taxi you were in.
- The driver behind you is not concentrating on the road and crashes into the back of your taxi as stop at a red light.
Do not hesitate to contact one of our advisors today if you have any questions about taxi accident claims. Our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and offer you free legal advice.
Evidence To Support Taxi Accident Claims
As we discussed earlier, all personal injury claims for taxi accidents will need to prove that negligence occurred. Collecting sufficient evidence could help support your personal injury claim. It could help prove the injuries you suffered in the taxi crash, as well as liability.
Some examples of evidence that could be useful in taxi accident claims include:
- Photographs from the accident scene.
- Accident footage, such as from a dashcam or CCTV.
- The contact information of any witnesses so they can give a statement later.
- A copy of your medical records stating the type of injury you suffered and what treatment was required.
Call our advisors to discuss personal injury claims for taxi passenger accidents. They could offer you free advice for your potential claim. They may also connect you with one of our solicitors who could help you with gathering evidence.
How Are Taxi Accident Claims Calculated?
If your taxi passenger accident claim is successful, your award could consist of two heads of claim: general and special damages.
General damages compensate for your physical pain and any mental suffering caused by your injuries. For guidance when assigning value to personal injury claims, legal professionals may refer to a document called the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). It provides a list of guideline compensation brackets for different injuries.
In our table below, we look at a few figures from the 16th edition of the JCG. The amounts listed are only provided for guidance.
| Injury | Notes | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Very severe brain damage | The person will show little meaningful response to their environment and will need full-time care. | £282,010 to £403,990 |
| Moderate brain damage (i) | The person will suffer with a moderate to severe intellectual deficit. They will also suffer a significant risk of epilepsy. | £150,110 to £219,070 |
| Severe neck injury (i) | A neck injury that results in permanent spastic quadriparesis or one that is associated with incomplete paraplegia. | In the region of £148,330 |
| Moderate neck injury (i) | Fractures or dislocations that result in severe immediate symptoms that may also require spinal fusion. | £24,990 to £38,490 |
| Severe leg injury – (ii) very serious | The person will suffer with permanent mobility issues and will require mobility aids for the remainder of their life. | £54,830 to £87,890 |
| Severe leg injury – (iv) moderate | Multiple or complicated fractures, or a severe crush injury to one leg. | £27,760 to £39,200 |
| Severe shoulder injury | Often associated with neck injuries and involves damage to the brachial plexus and results in a significant disability. | £19,200 to £48,030 |
| Moderate shoulder injury | Limited movement and discomfort caused by a frozen shoulder. Symptoms should persist for around 2 years. | £7,890 to £12,770 |
| Moderate ankle injury | Ligamentous tears or fractures that make it difficult to stand or walk for a long time, with awkwardness on stairs. | £13,740 to £26,590 |
| Arm injury | A simple forearm fracture. | £6,610 to £19,200 |
| Whiplash tariff | Whiplash with some psychological damage lasting longer than 18 months but recovery expected within 2 years. | £4,345 |
| Whiplash tariff | Whiplash lasts longer than 18 months, but not any longer than 2 years. | £4,215 |
To learn more about how taxi accident claims are calculated, get in touch with one of our advisors.
Special Damages in Taxi Accident Claims
If, for instance, you have been injured as a passenger in a taxi, you may also be able to claim for the financial losses caused by the injury. This is referred to as special damages compensation. Potential losses you could claim for as part of a taxi passenger accident claim include:
- Care costs – The injury could result in you needing to hire a private nurse as part of the rehabilitation process.
- Medical bills – This can include prescription costs and healthcare costs if they are considered necessary.
- Loss of earnings – If the injury leaves you unable to work, you could suffer financial losses due to this. You could also claim for future loss of earnings if the injury you’ve experienced is long-term or permanent.
- Travel costs – If the injury has resulted in you being unable to drive, you could claim back the costs of public transport.
- Home adjustments – If you’ve suffered a serious injury, you may need adjustments to your home, such as a care bed or stairlift.
You would need to evidence any losses, so it is beneficial to keep documentation such as receipts or payslips.
Will The Whiplash Reforms Affect My Taxi Accident Claim?
The Whiplash Reform Programme introduced changes to the way claims for low value road traffic accidents are made. As such, if you are an adult passenger or driver of a vehicle with whiplash or soft tissue injuries valued at £5,000 or less, you must claim through the Official Injury Claims portal. In doing so, your whiplash and soft tissue injuries will be valued in line with the tariff outlined in the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021.
However, even if you do not need to make your claim via the government’s official portal, your whiplash and soft tissue injuries may still be valued in accordance with the tariff. This is because it applies to all occupants inside a vehicle.
If you have injuries not listed in the tariff, these will be valued in the traditional way.
To learn more, please get in touch on the number above.
Make A Car Accident Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis Today
Our No Win No Fee solicitors may be able to help you claim if you were injured as a passenger in a taxi accident. When you work with a solicitor, they can guide you through the claims process by answering your questions, helping you collate evidence, and presenting your claim in full within the limitation period.
Additionally, they could offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which is a type of No Win No Fee arrangement. Under this kind of contract, you aren’t required to pay any upfront or ongoing fees to your solicitor for their services. You also won’t be asked to pay for their work if the claim fails.
If your claim is successful, then your solicitor will take a success fee. This is deducted from your settlement award as a small, legally capped percentage. The legal cap allows you to keep the majority of what you receive.
If you’d like to learn more about personal injury claims for taxi accidents, contact our team. They can tell you whether you are eligible to work with one of our solicitors and can offer more helpful information about the claims process.
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Learn More About Making A Taxi Passenger Accident Claim
Below, you can find some more guides about making a taxi passenger accident claim that you may find useful:
- Easyjet Data Breach Compensation Claims Guide
- Passenger Car Accident Claims Guide
- Leeds Car Accident Solicitors
- Accident Claims Management
- For more advice on how to claim compensation, head here
- If you’ve suffered an arm injury in a car accident, this guide offers some useful advice
- This guide explains everything you need to know about making an MIB claim for compensation and the amounts you could receive
- See our guide for more information on learner driver accident responsibility.
- Car Accidents Caused By Family Member / Friend How Much Compensation Can I Claim?
- Tinnitus Compensation
- Can I Claim For Travel Costs In A Claim?
- Find out how to claim for negligent body piercing and learn more about making a claim.
- Get help with seatbelt injury claims from our guide.
- Advice on split liability claims. Learn about claiming compensation.
- Find out about claiming for a loss of earnings in a personal injury claim with our helpful guide.
If, after reading this guide, you still have any questions about taxi accident claims, you are welcome to contact Legal Expert. You can reach us on the phone or online using the contact details mentioned above.
