subject: Avoiding Bandit Taxis by:Mark Dacanay [print this page] Los Angeles is notorious for bad experiences with taxicabs because of bandit taxis. These are taxi cabs that are not authorized to operate and are illegally taking passengers.
Los Angeles taxi cab accidents involving bandit taxis are often complicated because they are not insured by the city.
In Los Angeles alone, there are already more than 2,000 illegal taxi cabs roaming the streets. These drivers are either uninsured or do not have any drivers license.
In addition, they are also causing economic losses for the legitimate taxi cab operators.
So before getting into a taxi cab, make sure that it is a legitimate taxi by doing the following:
Check the cab if it has a seal from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation that proves it is a permitted vehicle.
Take note and remember of the taxi name and plate number. If you can get the name of the taxi then the better.
If you are not comfortable with the taxi or the driver do not ride the cab and just wait for another one.
Be familiar with the nine accredited taxi franchises in Los Angeles. They are:
o United Independent Taxi
o United Taxi of San Fernando Valley
o Yellow Cab
o Beverly Hills Cab Company
o Bell Cab
o Checker Cab
o City Cab
o Independent Taxi
o United Checker Cab Company
If you are injured in a Los Angeles taxi cab accident, you may be entitled to some compensation. In California, there are special laws that regulate special vehicles like trucks, buses and of course, taxis.
In California, taxi cabs are expected to be cautious at all times because they are considered as "common carriers." They will always be liable even for the slightest negligent action.
The law also states that a taxi cab may not pick up or drop off a passenger when in the middle of the road.
The people who can be held liable in a taxi accident in Los Angeles are:
Taxi Driver - The law is stricter when it comes to drivers of public transportation because they are obliged to keep the passengers safe from when they picked up the cab until they are dropped off to their destination.
Taxi Company - Under the law, taxi cabs are almost always responsible for any negligent act of the driver or any of his other employees that caused an accident.
Taxi cab manufacturer - Manufacturers of the taxi can be held liable if proven that there was a defect in the production of said car.
Entity who own roads - This includes the government. If the accident was caused by a defect of the road like pot holes, then the government or the owner of said road can be held liable.
Other drivers - Taxi accidents can be caused by negligent actions of another driver. If that is the case, then the personal injury claim will be directed to that person.
Los Angeles taxi cab accidents can be tricky because of the different laws of each state about regulating said vehicle. If you were injured in a taxi cab accident, consult a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling similar cases.
About the author
If you have been involved in Los Angeles taxi cab accidents, get help from our skilled personal injury lawyers. For consultation, log on to our website at http://www.mesrianilaw.com/ and avail of our free case analysis.
