A bill introduced by a Manhattan City Council member to lower taxi driver’s accident insurance coverage by nearly 90% is a move that would shift the costs of a taxi accident onto victims instead of keeping it on drivers, experts tell Streetsblog.org. According to the outlet, the bill introduced last month by Council Member Carmen De La Rosa (D-Inwood), would reduce the minimum “personal injury protection” insurance that yellow cab, livery and app-based drivers are required to carry from $200,000 down to $50,000. However, that reduction in coverage would be borne by people injured in crashes.
How the Law Affects Pedestrians
Attorneys say that can be devastating for a pedestrian who is struck by a taxicab. Personal Injury Protection insurance or PIP, which is also known as “no fault’ insurance, is meant to promptly cover medical costs and lost income — irrespective of who is at fault. The city raised the minimum coverage level to $200,000 for drivers who are licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission in 1998 after a spate of high-profile car accidents raised concerns about taxi driver safety.
When adjusted for inflation, that would be nearly $400,000 in today’s dollars. Taxi industry consultants say doing this is a bad idea because pedestrians need the higher coverage, especially because many pedestrians don’t have car insurance of their own, which would otherwise cover them. When considering the huge costs of being involved in a car crash today in New York, $50,000 is inadequate and provides too little by way of insurance coverage.
Costs Faced by a Taxicab Accident Victims
A taxicab accident can have devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences for pedestrians, passengers, bicyclists or occupants of other vehicles who are affected by the incident. The costs faced by victims often extend far beyond immediate medical bills, creating a significant burden that can impact the individual’s life for years to come.
Medical expenses are typically the most immediate and substantial cost. These may include emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, medication, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. In severe cases, victims may also require ongoing care or specialized equipment such as wheelchairs or prosthetics. Even with insurance, out-of-pocket expenses can quickly accumulate, leaving victims struggling to cover necessary treatments.
Lost wages are another major concern, especially if the injuries are severe enough to prevent the victim from returning to work for an extended period. Depending on the severity, some victims may face permanent disability, which can limit or completely end their ability to work. This loss of income can severely affect the victim’s financial stability and, in many cases, the livelihood of their family.
Pain and suffering adds to the emotional and psychological toll. Victims may experience chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Compensation for pain and suffering, while difficult to quantify, may be sought in personal injury claims to address these non-economic damages. Other expenses such as transportation costs for medical appointments, home modifications for mobility, or help with daily activities like cooking and cleaning add to the financial pressure. Altogether, the costs faced by a taxicab accident victim can be overwhelming, emphasizing the importance of seeking compensation to recover these losses.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Injured victims of negligent (careless) drivers can seek compensation from at-fault parties for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones in car accidents can seek compensation for damages such as lost future income, medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or pedestrian accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. We recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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Source: https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2024/10/09/council-bill-would-shift-taxi-driver-crash-costs-onto-victims-experts