Las Vegas Taxi Cab Accident Attorney
Taxi Cab accidents occur very frequently in the Las Vegas and Reno Valleys. Tourists who visit are obviously the victims in these horrible accidents. As a fault free passenger, most victims are without seat belt and sitting in the rear of the vehicle. Often times we represent multiple passengers who are sitting in the back and front of the cab when they are rear-ended or “t-boned” in an intersection. These victims have rights and should contact a Las Vegas Taxi Accident Attorney or an Injury compensation lawyer in Las Vegas Strip as soon as possible. Most of the time, the seat belts are not available, stuck in the seat, or simply not transparent to the passengers. Nevada Law does not mandate seat belt use in a civil case. Nevada does have a seat belt law, but the issue is irrelevant in an accident case. Taxi drivers usually are in a hurry. The more they drive the more they make. Thus, careless drivers abound. It is important to realize that not only are passengers injured in these vehicles, as our firm represents many clients in accidents that occur in valets, around hotels, bus stops, and near the strip.
Besides the usual neck and back injuries, we deal with run over feet, legs, and shin injuries. The most common out of cab accident is the run over foot accident. You just paid the driver and he hurries to the next pick up and in the process runs over your foot—sometimes crushing the foot, the bones, tendons and ligaments. When nerve damage occurs, the foot can be permanently damaged. Tires attack shoes and crush feet. Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC work with many specialists to ensure quality medial care to their clients.
Hear this client testimonial from Las Vegas pastry chef Michael Kim about how the Taxi Cab Accident Lawyers at Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC helped him through his taxi accident.
You should understand that cabs and taxis are regulated by the Nevada Taxi Cab Authority. The Taxi Authority has responsibility of all cabs:
During discovery, Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC often obtain on-board video from taxi cab cameras to prove the facts of the case. Here is another example of such video:
The Above Video is an Example of Footage from a Las Vegas Taxi Cab Accident which we Acquired in Order to Litigate a Client’s Case
Here is a Second Video of How Negligence can Play a part in a Highway Injury from a Taxi Accident (Note: Sound is overlayed due to language).
LAS VEGAS & RENO TAXI ACCIDENTS
Under Nevada law, taxicab companies are governed by the common carrier statutes codified under NRS 706. This includes all motor carriers of Taxicab motor carriers, limousines, charter buses, tow cars, autonomous vehicles, and all contracted carriers in Nevada. The duties owed by taxi companies are numerous. The requirements include duties in operation, insurance coverage, advertising, record keeping, and licensing among others. Taxi companies are regulated by the Nevada Taxicab Authority; the Authority operates their own police force to help enforce the regulations established by department and the Nevada legislature. In 2018, the average fare for a taxi was roughly $16+ per ride. In the month of November, for example, 1,301,529 rides were made. Nevada taxi’s are doing in excess of 13,000,000+ trips per year in Nevada. In total, there are 3,565 taxi cabs medallions in Nevada. Below is a list of the relevant and applicable statutes that apply to all taxi companies including Reno and Las Vegas taxi accidents (the largest area operations in the state.) Each taxi must be licensed and permitted to operate in their specific jurisdiction. Under NRS 706.281 the name must be clearly identified on the exterior of the vehicle; the display is not considered advertising, but instead a mark of the business required by law. There is a duty under NRS 706.251 to preserve information relating to the crash:
NRS 706.251 Report of crash: Requirements; preservation; confidentiality.
- Every person operating a vehicle used by any motor carrier under the jurisdiction of the Authority shall forthwith report each crash occurring on the public highway, wherein the vehicle may have injured the person or property of some person other than the person or property carried by the vehicle, to the sheriff or other peace officer of the county where the crash occurred. If the crash immediately or proximately causes death, the person in charge of the vehicle, or any officer investigating the crash, shall furnish to the Authority such detailed report thereof as required by the Authority.
- All crash reports required in this section must be filed in the office of the Authority and there preserved. A crash report made as required by this chapter, or any report of the Authority made pursuant to any crash investigation made by it, is not open to public inspection and must not be disclosed to any person, except upon order of the Authority. The reports must not be admitted as evidence or used for any purpose in any action for damages growing out of any matter mentioned in the crash report or report of any such investigation.
Insurance Coverage is also a requirement. Currently, the law mandates the following coverages under NRS 706.305 equaling $250,000 per person, $500,000 for two or more persons. In addition, a cab company may provide self-insurance, a bond, or provide security in the amount of $500,000 with the State instead of providing insurance. These amounts are required, but are not the minimum amounts that may be carried. For example, in Las Vegas, the largest cab company, Frias Cab, owns and operates the following brands: Ace, Anlv Cab, Union Cab, Vegas Western, Virgin Valley. Frias Transportation company. Frias is self insured and may also carry additional coverage to protect the assets of the company. Smaller cabs may not carry as much insurance as there is not the assets to protect. Unlike many other states, individual taxi medallions (the permit for each taxi), are owed by the company.
NRS 706.305 Liability insurance to be provided by operators of taxicabs; amount of coverage. The Authority shall adopt regulations requiring all operators of taxicabs subject to its regulation and supervision to maintain a contract of insurance against liability for injury to persons and damage to property for each taxicab. The amounts of coverage required by the regulations:
- Must not exceed a total of: (a) For bodily injury to or the death of one person in any one crash, $250,000; (b) Subject to the limitations of paragraph (a), for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one crash, $500,000; and (c) For injury to or destruction of property in any one crash, $50,000; or
- Must not exceed a combined single-limit for bodily injury to one or more persons and for injury to or destruction of property in any one crash, $500,000. (Added to NRS by 1989, 1784; A 2015, 1701)
NRS 706.3052 Operator of taxicab may provide self-insurance; exception.
- Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, an operator of a taxicab may operate under a program of self-insurance in compliance with the provisions of NRS 706.3054 or 706.3056 in lieu of the insurance against liability required by the regulations adopted pursuant to NRS 706.305.
- An operator of a taxicab shall not operate under a program of self-insurance if any judgment recovered against the operator has not been paid in full. (Added to NRS by 1989, 1784)
NRS 706.3054 Operator of taxicab may file bond in lieu of insurance.
- In lieu of the insurance against liability required by the regulations adopted pursuant to NRS 706.305, an operator of a taxicab may file with the Department: (a) A bond of a surety company authorized to transact business in this State; or (b) A bond with at least two individual sureties each owning real property within this State, and together having equities equal in value to at least twice the amount of the bond, if the real property is scheduled in the bond and the bond is approved by a judge of a court of record.
- Any bond filed pursuant to subsection 1 must be conditioned for payments in the amounts and under the same circumstances as would be required in a contract of insurance against liability complying with the regulations adopted pursuant to NRS 706.305. The bond may not be cancelled unless 10 days before cancellation written notice is given to the Department.
- Upon the filing of notice by the Department in the office of the county clerk of the county where the real property is located, the bond constitutes a lien in favor of the State upon the real property scheduled in the bond. The lien exists in favor of any holder of a judgment against the person who has filed the bond.
- If a judgment rendered against the principal on a bond filed pursuant to subsection 1 is not satisfied within 60 days after it has become final, the judgment creditor may, for the judgment creditor’s own use and benefit and at the judgment creditor’s own expense, bring an action in the name of the State against the company or persons executing the bond, including an action or proceeding to foreclose any lien that may exist upon the real property of a person who has executed the bond. (Added to NRS by 1989, 1784)
NRS 706.3056 Operator of taxicab may deposit security with Department in lieu of insurance.
- In lieu of the insurance against liability required by the regulations adopted pursuant to NRS 706.305, an operator of a taxicab may deposit with the Department: (a)Any security in the amount of $500,000; or (b) An amount equal to 110 percent of the average annual costs of claims incurred by the operator for crashes involving motor vehicles during the immediately preceding 3 years, whichever is less, but in no event may the deposit be less than $250,000. The security deposited may be in any form authorized by NRS 706.3058. The Department shall not accept a deposit unless it is accompanied by evidence that there are no unsatisfied judgments of any character against the depositor in the county where the depositor resides.
- An operator of a taxicab depositing money with the Department pursuant to subsection 1, shall authorize payments from the deposit in the amounts and under the same circumstances as would be required in a contract of insurance against liability which is in compliance with the regulations adopted pursuant to NRS 706.305.
- Any security deposited must be used to satisfy any judgment obtained against the depositor which is final and has not been paid within 30 days after the date of the judgment, unless otherwise ordered by the court issuing the judgment. A depositor, within 24 hours after receiving notice that the security has been used to satisfy a judgment obtained against the depositor, shall deposit with the Department an amount which is necessary to maintain with the Department the amount required by subsection 1. The failure to maintain the full amount required by subsection 1 is a ground for the cancellation of the depositor’s certificate of self-insurance.
- Any money collected by the Department pursuant to subsection 1 must be deposited with the State Treasurer for credit to a separate account in the State General Fund and used for payments authorized pursuant to subsection 2 or to refund money paid by an operator of a taxicab who is no longer participating in a program of self-insurance. (Added to NRS by 1989, 1785; A 2015, 1702)
If you or someone you know has questions about riding in a Nevada taxi and need a Reno taxi lawyer or a Las Vegas taxi lawyer, contact the office of Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC.
Las Vegas Taxi Accident FAQ
With over one million monthly trips, taxis provide an essential service for the people of Las Vegas. In past years, taxi cab operators received over 4,200 violations. When you ride in a taxi cab, you could be exposing yourself to an accident, especially if the driver is inexperienced or has an excess of violations on his or her record.
How is a Las Vegas taxi accident different from other accidents?
Nevada has regulations that taxi drivers must adhere to that are governed by the Taxi Cab Authority located on Flamingo Road in Las Vegas. Taxi cabs owners are typically a commercial business, which means that entities and individuals other than the at-fault taxi driver may share in the liability for damages if you were riding in a taxi when it was in an accident, or if a taxi caused an accident with your vehicle.
What steps should I take after a Las Vegas taxi accident?
After a taxi cab accident, if you can move, check on others involved in the accident and call first responders. You should also get contact, insurance, and registration information from drivers involved in the accident, along with contact information from witnesses.
What causes Las Vegas taxi cab accidents?
As with other drivers, taxi drivers may have bad driving habits that are known to cause accidents. Taxi drivers get paid by the mile, so the faster they can get you to your destination, the faster they can pick up another fare and make more money.
Common causes of taxi cab accidents include:
- Speeding;
- Poor vehicle maintenance;
- Turning and/or stopping abruptly;
- Aggressive driving; and
- Driving over the feet of passengers as they exit the vehicle.
What injuries could I suffer from after a Las Vegas taxi accident?
The injuries you suffer depend on the accident. For example, if a taxi cab tangles with a big truck and you are a passenger in the taxi cab, you could suffer from severe injuries. If a taxi cab clips your front bumper while weaving in and out of traffic, you might suffer minor injuries if your vehicle just spins around, or if you are driving something more substantial than the taxi cab.
Injuries could include:
- Bruises, scrapes, cuts, and gashes;
- Simple and compound fractures;
- Head, neck, and shoulder injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries;
- Road rash;
- Nerve damage;
- Burns;
- Internal injuries;
- Paralysis; and
- Traumatic brain injuries.
Additionally, those involved in a severe accident, whether they were severely injured or not, may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety, especially when it comes to getting in another vehicle. Often those with long-term injuries suffer from depression because of the amount of time it takes to heal or because those injuries are permanent. Psychological issues are common following severe accidents, and some people may require therapy. Others with significant injuries may also need cognitive and/or physical therapy, depending on the injury.
Should I give the insurance company details about the accident?
The short answer is no. The only information you should give any insurance company is your name and contact information; the date, time, and location of the accident; your policy number; and your accident attorney’s contact information.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, which means that any claim they pay out on cuts into their profits. An insurance company representative can and will twist your words so that it feels justified in denying your claim or offering you a meager settlement.
When you get an attorney involved in the case, an insurance company is less likely to give you an unfair settlement because it knows that those who retain attorneys are more likely to litigate if the insurance company offers an unfair settlement. Litigation costs the insurance company more money—it has to retain an attorney, and there’s always that chance that the court will order a higher award for damages.
Who can I recover damages from?
Recovering damages from the driver of the taxi is a possibility.
But you might also recover damages from others who could share in fault for the accident, including:
- The taxi cab company;
- The vehicle manufacturer;
- Aftermarket parts manufacturers;
- Local and state governments if roads are poorly maintained; and
- Another driver who caused the taxi to crash into you.
Cab owners and operators have a duty to make sure their vehicles are adequately maintained so as not to cause accidents. For example, if a driver or a cab owner waits until the brakes are completely gone before replacing them, or replaces only one front brake pad instead of both, both parties could share in the responsibility for the accident.
What damages can I recover from a Las Vegas taxi accident?
Nevada allows for economic damages, non-economic damages, and in some cases, such as DUI accidents, punitive damages. Economic and non-economic damages, sometimes known as special and general damages, respectively, are meant to make you whole again. The court only orders punitive damages as a punishment when the defendant’s actions were grossly negligent, such as driving under the influence.
Economic damages
are those with a fixed price. They include past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages, replacement or repair of personal property damaged or destroyed in the accident, medical equipment including ambulatory aids, and funeral and burial expenses.
Non-economic damages do not have a fixed price and include:
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Disfigurement and scarring;
- Loss of companionship;
- Loss of consortium;
- Loss of use of a body part or bodily function such as your eyesight or parts of your nervous system;
- Amputation; and
- Inconvenience.
If you suffer from injuries because of a taxi accident, contact an experienced Las Vegas taxi accident attorney at Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC as soon as possible.
Additional Resources for Taxi Accident Victims
List of Taxi Cab Companies in Southern Nevada and How to Identify them by Appearance:
Ace Cab Co. – WHITE BODY – RED ROOF: 5010 South Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, Nevada 89118 Phone: 702-736-8383 Cab Numbers: 6500 – 6999
A-North Las Vegas Cab (ANLV) – WHITE BODY – BLUE ROOF: 5010 South Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, Nevada 89118 Phone: 702-643-1041 Cab Numbers: 4500 – 4999
Checker Cab Co. – WHITE BODY – CHECKER PATTERN ON UPPER FENDERS & DOORS: 5225 W. Post Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89118 Phone: 702-873-8012 Cab Numbers: 3500 – 3999
Deluxe Cab Co. – WHITE DOORS, ROOF& BUMPERS, GREY SKIRTING, GREY FENDERS: 257 Elliot Road Suite #A Henderson, Nevada 89015 Phone: 702-568-7700 Cab Numbers: 8000 – 8499
Desert Cab Co. – BLACK SKIRTING, WHITE BODY, ORANGE ROOF: 4575 Wynn Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89103 Phone: 702-386-4828 Cab Numbers: 4000 – 4499
Henderson Taxi – Scheme #1: BLACK SKIRTING, WHITE BODY, YELLOW ROOF, Scheme #2: BLACK SKIRTING, WHITE BODY, 6” HORIZONTAL YELLOW STRIPE ALONG UPPER QUARTER PANELS AND DOORS: 1910 Industrial Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89102 Phone: 702-384-2322 Cab Numbers: 5600 – 5999
Lucky Cab Co. – BLACK SKIRTING, WHITE BODY & ROOF, MAGENTA FENDERS: 4195 Diablo Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89118 Phone: 702-477-7555 Cab Numbers: 2500-2999
Nellis Cab Co. – METALLIC BLUE SKIRTING & FENDERS, WHITE DOORS & BUMPERS: 3564 West Naples Las Vegas, Nevada 89103 Phone: 702-248-1111 Cab Numbers: 500 – 999
Star Cab Co. – WHITE BODY, GREEN ROOF: 5225 W. Post Road. Las Vegas, Nevada 89118 Phone: 702-873-2000 Cab Numbers: 2000 – 2499
Union Cab Co. – BLACK FENDERS, WHITE DOORS, BUMPERS & ROOF: 5010 South Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, Nevada 89118 Phone: 702-736-8444 Cab Numbers: 7500 – 7999
Vegas Western Cab Co. – WHITE BODY, LAVENDER ROOF: 5010 South Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, Nevada 89118 Phone: 702-736-6121 Cab Numbers: 6000 – 6499
Virgin Valley Cab Co. – WHITE BODY, PURPLE ROOF: 5010 South Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, Nevada 89118 Phone: 702-737-1378 Cab Numbers: 7000 – 7499
Western Cab Co. – BROWN SKIRTING, WHITE BODY: 801 South Main Street Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 Phone: 702-736-8000 Cab Numbers: 1 – 499
Whittlesea Blue Cab Co. – Scheme #1: BLUE SKIRTING, WHITE BODY, RED ROOF, Scheme #2: BLUE SKIRTING, WHITE BODY, 6” HORIZONTAL RED STRIPE ALONG UPPER QUARTER PANELS AND DOORS: 1910 Industrial Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89102 Phone: 702-384-6111 Cab Numbers: 5000 – 5599
Yellow Cab Co. – YELLOW BODY: 5225 W. Post Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89118 Phone: 702-873-2000 Cab Numbers: 3000 – 3499
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