How Much Could I Receive From A Taxi passenger Accident Claim

In this guide, we will explore when you could be eligible to make a taxi passenger accident claim. All road users owe each other a duty of care when navigating the roads. However, there are some cases when another road user might fail to uphold their responsibilities. If you are caused harm as a result, you may be able to seek compensation.

taxi passenger accident claim

Taxi passenger accident claim guide

This guide will explore the responsibilities each road user has in more detail.

It will also provide examples of how a road traffic accident could occur and the different types, such as a cycling accident, car accident, pedestrian accident or accident on public transport.

For more information, you can contact our team of advisors by:

  • Calling the number above
  • Using the live chat feature below
  • Filling out our contact form 

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Guidance On Making A Taxi Passenger Accident Claim

In order to start a road traffic accident claim after a taxi passenger accident, you must be able to prove:

  • Someone owed you a duty of care
  • They breached the duty of care they owed
  • You sustained harm in the form of a physical or psychological injury as a result.

Each road user has a duty of care to do everything they reasonably can to prevent one another from experiencing harm. The Highway Code sets out each road users responsibility when navigating the roads. For example:

  • Pedestrians should ensure they cross the road at designated crossing and only when it’s safe to do so.
  • Cyclists should wear reflector lights at night.
  • Drivers should adhere to the speed limits on the road.
  • Motorcyclists should wear a helmet when riding.

Recent changes to the Highway Code mean that road users operating vehicles with the greatest chance of causing harm, have a greater responsibility on the roads. For example, the driver of a lorry would have a greater responsibility than a cyclist. However, all road users still owe a duty of care to each other.

If another road user has breached their duty of care and caused you to sustain harm, get in touch with our team. They can discuss your potential taxi passenger accident claim in more detail.

Whiplash Reforms 2021

The Whiplash Reform Programme brought in changes to the way low value road traffic accident claims are made. The changes affect passengers and drivers of vehicles, over the age 18 whose injuries are valued at £5,000 or less.

In these instances, claims are made through the government’s online portal. Furthermore, injuries are valued in line with the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021.

To find out whether you would make your claim via this avenue, call our team.

Calculating Compensation For A Taxi Accident 

Settlements often include general damages and special damages. General damages awards for the pain, suffering and loss of amenities endured due to the injures you sustained. Loss of amenities includes the impact the injuries have had on your quality of life.

The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) are used to calculate the potential value of the general damages head of your compensation claim. They are used alongside other resources such as medical reports to consider various factors, such as the severity of your injuries and future prognosis. 

We have provided figures from the JCG in the table below. As each claim is unique, these figures are not necessarily a reflection of what you will receive should your claim succeed.

InjuryCompensation BracketsNotes
Very Severe Brain Injury (a)£282,010 to £403,990The person will need full time nursing care.
Chest Injuries (a)£100,670 to £150,110Cases in this bracket include the complete removal of one lung.
Hand Injuries (b)£55,820 to £84,570Both hands are seriously damaged.
Wrist Injuries (a)£47,620 to £59,860Where wrist function has been completely lost.
Arm Injuries (b)£39,170 to £59,860Injuries that cause a permanent and substantial disability.
Elbow Injuries (a)£39,170 to £54,830Injuries that are severely disabling.
Moderately Severe Psychiatric Damage Generally (b)£19,070 to £54,830The person will have a better prognosis than in more severe cases.
Partial Hearing Loss And/Or Tinnitus (d) (ii)£14,900 to £29,710Tinnitus that's moderate and noise-induced hearing loss is one of the cases considered in this bracket.
Shoulder Injuries (b)£12,770 to £19,200Serious injuries such as a rotator cuff injury which causes ongoing issues after surgery.
Back Injuries (c) (i)£7,890 to £12,510Injuries such as less serious strains and sprains that fully recover within 5 years.

Special damages award for the financial losses incurred or suffered due to your injuries. This can include: 

  • Loss of income
  • Medical expenses
  • Costs for living adjustments, such as home adaptations
  • Travel expenses

Evidence must be provided to support your claim for special damages, such as receipts and payslips.

Explaining Taxi Passenger Accidents 

There are various different ways a taxi passenger accident could occur, such as:

  • The driver may have been speeding, causing them to crash into the back of another car at a set of traffic lights. This may have caused you to sustain a severe head injury.
  • The driver may have failed to signal when changing lanes, causing them to crash into you as a cyclist. This may have caused you to sustain multiple injuries, including a severe back injury and broken leg.
  • Your taxi driver may have been operating their vehicle under the influence of alcohol. As a result, they may have mounted the kirb while driving and crashed into a lamppost. As a result, you may have sustained a severe neck injury.

It’s important to note that not all road accidents will lead to claims being made. You will need to prove that negligence caused you harm. Read on to find out what steps you could take to support your taxi passenger accident claim.

What Could I Do To Start A Taxi Passenger Accident Claim? 

There are several steps you can take before making a claim. For example:

  • Seek medical attention- Before anything else following the accident, you should ensure you receive the appropriate medical attention. Not only is this to ensure your well-being, but it provides an official incident timeline and a record of your injuries. 
  • Witness statements- While on the scene of the accident, collect the contact details of any witnesses. In the eventuality you make a claim, your solicitor can contact them for a witness statement.
  • CCTV footage- You can request CCTV footage to support your claim. 
  • Photographs- Although CCTV could catch the accident, it may not properly show your injuries, the damages to the taxi, and other details. Pictures of your injuries and the accident scene could provide a more visual understanding of the incident.
  • Seek legal advice-  This will allow you to better understand the options available. Also, if you choose to work with a solicitor from our panel, they can help you gather evidence as part of their services. 

For more information on the steps you can take to make a taxi passenger accident claim, call our team.

Could I Begin A Claim With A No Win No Fee Agreement?

You may wish to hire a personal injury solicitor to handle your claim. If so, our advisors could help by connecting you with a solicitor from our panel. They offer to represent claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This is the umbrella term for a series of functionally similar financial agreements, such as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). 

Under a CFA, you won’t need to pay your solicitor for their services upfront or while your claim proceeds. Additionally, if the claim fails, no payment for their services will be taken.

For claims that succeed, you will pay a success fee which is deducted from your compensation. This fee is subject to a legal cap and further details of the fee will be outlined in the agreement you sign.

Contact our team of advisors if you want to learn more about your eligibility to work with a solicitor from our panel. They can also discuss your potential taxi passenger accident claim in more detail. Get in touch by:

  • Calling the number above
  • Using the live chat feature below
  • Filling out our contact form 

More Information On Making A Taxi Passenger Accident Claim

Below, we have provided additional resources that you may find beneficial:

You can also read other guides on our website, such as the following:

We hope this guide exploring whether you’re eligible to make a taxi passenger accident claim has helped. If you have any other questions, please get in touch using the contact details above.

Writer Ryan Ward

Publisher Meg McDonald