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Request A Call HerePedestrians have as much right to be on the road as drivers, but all too often are hit and killed by drivers who are not paying attention to the people walking across the road. Some of the cars involved in these accidents are cabs. As much as 10.8 million accidents were reported in 2011, including many involving cabs. Bustling cities, such as New York and Los Angeles, are filled with taxis and are used by millions of people as their primary source of transportation.
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Without the safety of a vehicle, pedestrians accounted for 52 percent of traffic fatalities that took place between 2005 and 2009, as reported by the New York City Department of Transportation. On the other hand taxi cabs only account for 2.1% of all registered vehicles in New York City but they cause 13% of all fatal traffic collisions that involve pedestrians. While many cab drivers will deny accountability, stating that the pedestrian stepped right in front of their taxi, there are several factors that are taken into consideration when determining who was at fault. These factors include skid mark measurements, the severity of the damage done to the vehicle, and witnesses who saw the accident happen.
Not only can some taxi drivers be problematic on the road for pedestrians, but because of their lenient safety rules, many passengers are not forced to wear seat belts, causing whiplash, broken bones, or other extensive damage.
Depending on the state you currently reside in, pedestrians who have been injured in the accident may not be ruled at fault. For example, many states use the Contributory and Comparative Negligence Rule, meaning the pedestrian can recover some damages even if he/she were found to be partially at fault.
There are a wide variety of reasons the cab driver may not be paying attention, including:
Whatever the reason for the fatal driving from the taxi driver, pedestrians are the ones that will suffer for the drivers' lack of focus on the road. To get a better idea of the damage that can be done by not paying attention to pedestrians who are sharing the road with drivers is the story of a woman and child who were hit and killed by a cab.
According to the New York Daily News, the driver lost control of his cab on the snowy streets of New York, where he hit a parked car, jumped over the sidewalk, and hit a group of pedestrians. As a result, the car hit 2 men, a woman, and her 5-year-old daughter. The paramedics did everything they could to revive the child, but there was nothing they could do.
In such a devastating circumstance, seek legal help after an accident like this occurs. Experienced attorneys will make sure you get the compensation and recovery you deserve.
Should You Buckle Up In A Taxi Cab?
Since taxis take up approximately 25 percent of the Manhattan traffic population, as well as thousands of people walking the streets each day, these accidents could easily happen to anyone.
