Taxi Accident Claims – Getting Compensation If Injured As A Passenger
By Danielle Jordan. Last Updated 13th June 2024. 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.
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. This suspension lasts until it is deemed that the injured party has recovered the capacity required to launch a claim. It could last indefinitely. At any point during the suspension, a litigation friend could be appointed by the court to manage the claim on behalf of the injured person. If an injured party were to regain this capacity and a claim was not initiated for them, they will have three years from the date they recovered their capacity to start one.
- 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 head-on collision caused by a drunk driver speeding on the wrong side of the road.
- Another motorist fails to look before pulling out of a driveway and crashes into the side of your taxi causing injuries.
- 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 you make a successful taxi passenger accident claim, your settlement could consist of two parts (known as heads of claim). These are general and special damages.
The first head of loss awarded in successful personal injury claims is called general damages. It compensates for the physical pain and mental suffering sustained in the car accident. To help when valuing this part of your taxi accident claim, those tasked with doing so may refer to the compensation guidelines published by the Judicial College (the JCG) or the whiplash tariffs found in the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 (more on this later).
We’ve provided the table below to help illustrate how compensation could be awarded in a successful claim. In the first row, we’ve provided a figure that shows how your settlement could consist of compensation for multiple injuries and related losses. The following rows look at figures that could be relevant to taxi accident claims from the JCG. In the last two rows, we look at examples of the whiplash tariffs. It should be noted that the first row figure was not taken from the JCG or Whiplash Injury Regulations.
This table is only provided for guidance as each claim is different with settlements decided on individual factors.
| Injury | Severity | Guideline Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries and Special Damages | Very Severe | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Brain Damage | Very Severe | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Brain Damage | Moderate (iii) | £52,550 to £110,720 |
| Back Injuries | Severe (i) | £111,150 to £196,450 |
| Back Injuries | Moderate (ii) | £15,260 to £33,880 |
| Severe Leg Injuries | Very Serious | £66,920 to £109,290 |
| Arm Injuries | Substantial and Permanent Disablement | £47,810 to £73,050 |
| Shoulder Injuries | Severe | £23,430 to £58,610 |
| Whiplash Tariff | Lasting 18-24 months with psychological damage | £4,345 |
| Whiplash Tariff | Lasting 18-24 months without psychological damage | £4,215 |
Special Damages in Taxi Accident Claims
In addition to general damages, you could also be awarded special damages as part of a successful taxi passenger accident claim. Special damages are awarded to compensate for the financial losses suffered as a result of the car accident injuries. For example:
- Loss of earnings.
- Care costs, such as a nurse.
- Home help, including a cleaner or child minder while you recover.
- Medical expenses, including prescriptions and physical therapy.
In order to recover your financial losses, you will need to submit proof as part of the claims process. For example, you could save and submit your pay slips, receipts and invoices.
Direct any questions about how compensation could be awarded in a successful taxi accident claim to a member of our advisory team. They can also help value your claim.
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. The reform programme applies to:
- Vehicle drivers and passengers who are aged 18 or older at the time of the accident. This includes taxi passengers.
- Their injuries valued at £5,000 or less. This applies to whiplash as well as other injuries, such as broken or bruised ribs.
- The accident occurred in England or Wales.
In claiming in this way, 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 this way, your whiplash injuries may still be valued in accordance with the tariff.
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.
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- 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.
