If you live in, work in, or visit Chicago on occasion, chances are you have taken at least one ride in a taxi cab. Taxis are everywhere in the city, making them a convenient form of transportation when traveling for work or for pleasure. Drivers tend to be knowledgeable about the city’s streets and can get a passenger to a specified location with little trouble, at least in most cases.
But few riders understand the structure of cab companies and the local and state laws that govern them. Many of these laws are designed to protect the rights of a passenger in the event the taxi cab is involved in an accident, whether or not the cab driver was to blame for the crash. In fact, Illinois law requires that cabs carry personal injury insurance of at least $350,000 for any crash so that those who are injured may be able to receive relief. Speaking with a lawyer who represents the victims of taxi cab accidents in Chicago may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a crash.
Often, those hurt in a cab collision may be able to recover for their medical and surgical expenses, lost wages, permanency of injuries, and pain and suffering as well as other damages that result. These claims are authorized by law so that the victims of a taxi cab accident are not forced to endure the financial burden accompanied by the accident but rather to place that burden on the driver, owner, or other individual or entity responsible for the crash. However, the laws require that these claims be brought within a specified period of time following the incident or the right to bring the claim will be lost.
A taxi cab was involved in an accident yesterday morning in Chicago, leaving four people with injuries and in need of medical treatment. At about 2:30 a.m., an SUV allegedly ran a red light while traveling northbound on Michigan Avenue, striking a taxi cab that was on East Congress Parkway. The driver of the SUV, a 28-year-old man, and the driver of the taxi, whose age is unknown at this time, were both injured and transported to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County by emergency medical personnel. Their current conditions are not clear. There were two passengers in the cab, a 32-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman. Both were taken to Northwestern Hospital following the crash.
With the number of taxis in Chicago, accidents are bound to happen on occasion. But the majority of taxi crashes that occur are actually due to negligence or recklessness on the part of someone involved in the crash. When that happens, the law may entitle anyone who is injured in the accident with the right to seek relief.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we fight for the rights of our clients who have been injured in cab collisions and we are ready to fight for you, too. We offer a free case consultation without any obligation to all injury victims who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call. If you have been injured, do not continue to suffer as the result of your accident. Call us today and let us help you get the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Charges Pending After SUV Crash in Chicago, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 19, 2014.
Resource:
Downtown crash between SUV, taxi injures 4, by Adam Sege, Chicago Tribune, published May 21, 2014.