Taking a taxi is usually a good idea, but accidents involving taxis can happen. If you have been involved in a taxi cab accident, there are a few details about taxi cab laws in Florida that you should know.
Considerations
- Believe it or not, many taxi drivers are not properly licensed to drive taxis. Therefore, the first step that you should take is to find out whether or not the driver is properly licensed. In fact, before you get into a cab you should note the driver’s name and taxi company affiliation (this information should be clearly displayed). I would recommend snapping a photo of the cab driver’s credentials with your cell phone just in case.
- Look at the license data. Taxicab drivers in Florida are required to have a valid license. However, we have found that many cab drivers have expired licenses. Take a careful look at a driver’s permit after an accident. If the driver does not want you to see a permit, be wary. Also, make sure to note the name of the taxi company that the driver works for in addition to a license plate number.
- Did you know that Florida requires all taxicab companies to abide by certain safety rules? All cabs must be up to code, which means that things like brakes and lights must be in excellent working order. Sometimes, faulty mechanics that should have been in better shape are to blame for accidents.
- Florida law requires all taxi drivers that will potentially transport children under the age of five to have proper child restraints. Those restraints must be up to federal code. If a child is involved in an accident when riding in a taxicab, the possibility of improper restraints should be considered.
Know Before You Go
It’s important to try and choose a taxicab that looks up to code in every way (and make sure that your child is properly secured before taking off on any cab ride), but sometimes this isn’t possible. Unfortunately, accidents involving taxicabs do happen often, but this does not mean that you do not have any recourse.
Have you been involved in an accident while riding in a taxi? Do you need someone to go over your file for you? At the Dellutri Law Group, our goal is to make sure that you gain the compensation you deserve when it comes to personal injury accidents. If you think that you may need a lawyer to go over your case for free, call us today. You can reach us at (800) 391-4337 or schedule online. At the Dellutri Law Group, our mission is to help you make excellent decisions by providing you with the information you need to do so.
