Las Vegas Taxi Accident Attorneys

Las Vegas is one of the most popular destinations in the United States for tourists from both within the country and abroad, and at any given moment hundreds of thousands of people are trying to get from one place to another. For many visitors, especially on the Strip, the most popular way to get around is a taxi. Unfortunately, with taxis making up such a large part of the traffic in Las Vegas, there are also a lot of taxi accidents.

Las Vegas Taxi Accident Classifications

If you are in an accident with a taxi in Las Vegas, the first thing to be determined is your relationship to the taxi company. There are three possible classifications:

Unaffiliated Vehicle Operator or Pedestrian

You have not made any agreement to use the taxi or the company. For example, you did not wave down or call for a cab. You were involved in an accident with the taxi as a pedestrian or another motorist.

Customer — Passenger

You agreed to use the taxi's services and were inside the cab or shuttle as a passenger at the time of the accident, such as when a taxi collides with another car while you are in the back seat.

Customer — Pedestrian

You agreed to use the taxi's services but were injured while entering or exiting the vehicle, such as when a driver pulls over too fast and hits you or drives over your foot.

If you are a customer in the care of a taxi company at the time of an accident, it is very common for the company to be found at least partially liable for your injuries. Even if there is no business relationship between you and the cab company, the driver or company can still be found negligent and liable.

Las Vegas Taxi Regulations

Taxi activity in Las Vegas is overseen by the Nevada Taxicab Authority. If a taxi is in an accident and the driver, company or car is found to be in violation of any regulation, that violation can support an injured party's claim that negligence caused the accident. For example, all taxi drivers must undergo a background check and pass a special test to obtain a permit. If someone is driving a cab without meeting these prerequisites and has an accident, the company can be held liable for damages and injuries.

Drivers are also responsible for making sure any cab they operate meets regulation standards, including:

• The front suspension must be in good repair and proper working order.
• The engine and drivetrain must be in good repair so that, in normal operation, the engine does not die, miss, backfire or show a noticeable loss of power.
• The vehicle must not pull to the left or right or drift under normal driving conditions.
• The engine, drivetrain and radiator must not leak a noticeable amount of fluid, and the engine must not emit excessive smoke.
• The vehicle must have seat belts maintained in a clean and operable condition at all times.
• Brake linings must be thick enough to prevent metal from contacting the brake drum or disc, and under normal braking the vehicle must not pull to either side or lock its wheels.

A taxi that does not meet these requirements must be removed from service until the defect is corrected. If a taxi that fails to meet the fitness requirements is in an accident, both the driver and the company can be found negligent and responsible for the resulting injuries and damages.

Taxi Accidents Are Not the Same as Car Accidents

Because taxis are commercial vehicles, usually part of a fleet owned by a taxi company, special laws and regulations apply and they are held to a higher standard of safety. The cab driver and the company that owns the vehicle share responsibility for making sure the driver and car meet all legal requirements, that both are fit to be on the road, and that proper care is taken in traffic. A taxi crash is therefore different from a crash involving a privately owned vehicle. See also our page on Uber and Lyft accidents in Las Vegas.

Speak With an Experienced Las Vegas Taxi Accident Attorney

Because of the special rules that apply to taxis and cab companies — and their deeper pockets — taxi crash cases call for a personal injury firm with specific experience. A lawyer has to understand how to fight back against a well-funded legal team that will do everything it can to shift financial responsibility away from the taxi and insurance companies. With more than 30 years of experience helping accident victims, Cap & Kudler has the understanding and expertise to pursue the full and fair compensation you are entitled to.

Contact us online anytime or call (702) 878-8778 to schedule a free consultation. We'll look over the details of your case and explain what we can do to help.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and you should consult a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation.