Taxis are ubiquitous in New York for good reason – they’re one of the best ways to get around the city quickly and conveniently. However, while taxis are convenient, they are also frequently involved in accidents, which can cause serious, debilitating injuries to passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Like the British tourist who was struck by an out of control taxi in Midtown in 201, and sustained severe injuries that caused her to lose a leg below the knee. Sometimes, taxi injures can even be fatal. Peter MacGregor-Scott, the producer of Batman Forever, was fatally injured in a taxi accident in 2017, and his widow is currently seeking wrongful death damages from the cabbie, whose reckless driving allegedly caused the crash.

If you are involved in a New York taxi accident, it’s important to know what injuries you should watch for, and how to take action if you feel that the accident could have been prevented.

Why NY Taxi Accidents Happen

It’s no secret that the New York City streets are some of the busiest in the world. Cars, transit vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists all have to share the space. Any lapse in attention or judgment can easily result in an accident, and cabbies are notorious for aggressive, distracted, and fatigued driving.

Common causes of taxi accidents include:

• Aggressive driving
• Violating traffic laws (for example, by speeding or running a light)
• Talking or texting on a phone while driving
• Fatigued driving
• Improperly trained or licensed drivers
• Eating while driving
• Rushing to pick up other fares
• Improper cab maintenance

Additionally, some taxi accidents are caused by the negligence of other drivers involved in the crash.

Common Taxi Accident Injuries in New York

Injuries in taxi accidents may be more severe than other car crashes due to the lack of seatbelts and the partition separating the driver from the passengers.

Common injuries in NY taxi accidents include:

Traumatic brain injury. All it takes is for your head to slam into something hard at the wrong angle and you could be suffering from a TBI. Like, for example, if you hit headfirst into the partition or a window, or if you’re thrown from the cab and hit the pavement – there are all kinds of bad potential scenarios.

Spinal injuries. Just like with your head, if you wrench or hit your back in the wrong way, it can seriously damage your spinal cord. Taxi accidents are often high-impact – the exact kind of jarring motion it takes to cause this kind of injury.

Whiplash. One of the most common types of car crash injuries in general, where the head and neck are whipped quickly back and forth, damaging the soft tissues in this area.

Internal organ damage. Just because you don’t see the damage doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Auto accidents often lead to internal bruising, bleeding, or ruptures. Left untreated, these can be incredibly serious.

Head injuries. Even if you don’t suffer a TBI, there are plenty of other ways to seriously hurt your head. Crashes can result in everything from a concussion to deep gashes and cuts.

Contusions. Bruises may seem like no big deal, but often they may be signs of more serious problems. Always make sure to get them checked out.

Broken bones. Automobiles are heavy. When they slam into each other, even at slower speeds, there’s a lot of force behind that hit. If you’re thrown around or have a body part trapped between two objects as a result of the crash, fractures can easily result.

These types of injuries can result in permanent disability – or even the wrongful death of a passenger. Even comparatively minor injuries can lead to costly medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Taxis are considered common carrier vehicles, and therefore cabbies owe the highest duty of care to passengers. However, it is only possible to hold the cabbie or cab company liable for injuries if you can prove that your injury was caused by a breach of duty, also known as negligence.

If you are injured due to the negligence of another, consider holding this party accountable for negligent actions by seeking compensation for your injuries.

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