If you were hurt as a result of being hit by a taxi while you were visiting New York City, you should seek medical attention immediately.
While still at the scene of the accident, if it is safe to do so, record as much information as you can. Take photos and videos of the scene with your phone. Talk to every witness you can who saw or heard what happened and, assuming the police report to the scene, be sure to point those witnesses out to the police. If the police do not come, or you are taken away by an ambulance before the police arrive, if possible, get the name, phone number, and address of each and every witness that you can. . Assuming the taxi driver did not flee the scene, get their contact information and record their plate number. Many people find that it is easier to snap a photo of the taxi’s license plate than to write it down
Finally, talk to a New York personal injury lawyer about the accident and your options for pursuing compensation.
By taking smart steps in the immediate aftermath of an accident, you will make it easier for your attorney to pursue compensation for you in a personal injury case.
- The Steps to Take After a Taxi Hits You in NYC
- The Statute of Limitations
The Steps to Take After a Taxi Hits You in NYC
By definition, a car accident is unanticipated. It can be a violently jarring event. It can throw your nerves into a frenzy and make it difficult to figure out what to do next. Whether you were on foot or in a vehicle when a taxi hit you in NYC, here are some recommended steps to take following a taxi accident:
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Seek Immediate Medical Attention
You should see a doctor as soon as possible if you were hurt in a taxi accident. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding, whiplash, or even some bone fractures, for example, may present subtle or delayed symptoms. By discovering any such injuries right away, your doctor can administer the treatment you may need to heal.
There is another reason to seek immediate medical care. If you do have injuries, whether major or minor, you want to be able to tie them to the accident. A clear connection between the accident and your injuries is critically important in order to recover compensation in a personal injury case. The longer the gap between your accident and your injury diagnosis, the easier you may make it for the other side to call into question whether there was a cause-and-effect relationship.
Take Photos and Videos of the Scene
Assuming it is safe for you to do so, you should take as many photos and videos of the accident scene with your phone as you can. Capture, if possible, for example: The points of impact of the vehicles involved; The position of the vehicles in the roadway after the collision but before the cars may have been moved for safety reasons, or to allow the flow of traffic to continue, or to be taken to an autobody shop; A perspective of the scene from a distance, so that the sequence of events of the accident can be explained with reference to the photo or video, particularly with respect to traffic signals, road signs, lane markings, medians, skid marks, and so on. This documentation will help your lawyer put together an accurate and most-convincing narrative of how your accident happened and who was liable. A bystander may have taken photos of your accident as well.
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Talk to Witnesses
Since New York City is a bustling and walkable metropolis, there is a good chance that someone—perhaps many people—witnessed your accident. Once again, assuming it is safe to do so, you should talk to as many of those people as you can and get their contact information. Your lawyer may want to call upon them to give a witness statement on your behalf. The persuasive force of a favorable statement from an independent witness cannot be overstated. Get the
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Taxi Driver’s Information
Assuming the taxi driver did not flee the scene of the accident, you should also collect their contact information, their plate number, and other identifying data from the cab itself. If the driver fled the scene, you should call the police, and in the meantime, ask witnesses if they remember anything about the taxi or its driver that could help investigators identify who it was.
Call a Lawyer
No matter how long ago your accident happened, you should talk to a lawyer about your options for holding the responsible party liable and collecting compensation. A New York-based lawyer will be able to coordinate your case on your behalf, even if you have already returned home from your trip to New York City.
The Statute of Limitations
It is important to take action quickly after a taxi hits you, as New York has a statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits. If this time limit expires, you could lose your right to recover compensation in a lawsuit no matter how much evidence of taxi driver negligence you have.
A New York personal injury lawyer will discuss what legal time limits apply to your case when you call them for a consultation.
Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. Defends NYC Taxi Accident Victims
If a taxi hit you while you were visiting NYC, the taxi accident lawyers at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. will take on the responsible parties in your case when you hire us. In the tragic event that your loved one died in an NYC taxi accident, we extend to you our heartfelt condolences. We may be able to pursue compensation on your behalf in a wrongful death case.
We invite you to discuss your case in a free consultation with a member of our team. To get started, call our office at (516) 932-0400 today.
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