When a taxi accident happens on Lubbock’s busy streets, the aftermath involves more than just dealing with typical insurance claims. Commercial vehicle crashes bring additional layers of complexity—multiple insurance policies, corporate liability, and regulations that don’t apply to standard collisions.
I’m James Perrin, and for over two decades, as an experienced Lubbock taxi accident lawyer, I’ve guided West Texas injury victims through these complicated cases to secure the compensation they need to move forward.
Taxi companies and their insurers operate differently than standard auto insurance providers. They have teams of lawyers ready to protect their interests, higher policy limits to defend, and specific tactics designed to minimize passenger injury claims.
Without experienced legal representation from a taxi accident attorney in Lubbock, you’re facing an uneven battle against companies that handle these situations every day. At Perrin Law Injury & Accident Lawyer, I know their playbook because I’ve been challenging it successfully throughout my career.
My approach is straightforward: I handle your case personally from start to finish, investigate every angle of liability, and prepare for trial while pushing for the best possible settlement. You won’t be passed off to junior staff or left wondering about your case status. When taxi company negligence disrupts your life, I make sure you get the full compensation Texas law allows—not just what the insurance company wants to pay.
Ready to discuss your taxi accident case? Contact me today for a free consultation and let me start protecting your rights immediately.
Contact me today for a free consultation. Let’s discuss your case and explore your legal options.
What to Do After a Taxi Crash in Lubbock
The moments following a taxi accident are critical for both your health and your legal claim. Taking the right steps immediately can make the difference between a successful case and a denied claim.
Call 911 and Get Medical Care
Your safety comes first, even if you feel fine after the crash. Call emergency services and insist on a medical evaluation at UMC Health System or Covenant Medical Center. Some serious injuries like concussions or internal bleeding don’t show symptoms right away, and having immediate medical documentation strengthens your case.
Document the Taxi Information
Write down or photograph the taxi company name, cab number, driver’s license, and insurance information. This seems obvious, but many accident victims forget these details in the chaos. Also note the meter reading and fare amount, as these details can help establish the timeline.
Preserve Evidence at the Scene
Use your phone to capture everything before it disappears:
- Vehicle damage: Both the taxi and any other vehicles involved.
- Road conditions: Skid marks, debris, traffic signals, and weather conditions.
- Your injuries: Visible cuts, bruises, or torn clothing.
- Witness information: Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the crash.
Avoid Insurance Company Traps
The taxi company’s insurer will contact you quickly, often within hours. They’ll seem helpful and concerned, but their goal is to get you to say something that limits their liability. Politely decline to give a recorded statement and refer them to your attorney.
Contact a Lubbock Taxi Accident Attorney Immediately
Time works against you in these cases. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and taxi companies start protecting themselves. I send preservation letters immediately to secure driver logs, maintenance records, and other critical evidence before it vanishes.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Texas Taxi Accident
Determining fault in a taxi accident often involves multiple parties, not just the driver who caused the crash. I investigate every angle to identify all sources of potential compensation.
The taxi driver bears responsibility if they were speeding, distracted, intoxicated, or violated traffic laws. However, their employer—the taxi company—may also be liable under vicarious liability rules, which hold employers responsible for their employees’ actions during work hours.
Taxi companies can face direct liability for negligent hiring if they failed to properly screen drivers, check driving records, or verify qualifications. They’re also responsible for vehicle maintenance, and mechanical failures due to poor upkeep can make them liable regardless of driver behavior.
Other motorists involved in multi-vehicle crashes share responsibility based on their contribution to the accident. In some cases, government entities may be liable if dangerous road conditions, malfunctioning traffic signals, or inadequate signage contributed to the crash.
How Taxi Insurance Coverage Works in Texas
As a passenger, you’re covered regardless of who caused the accident. Even if your taxi driver was completely at fault, the company’s commercial policy should pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. This passenger protection is one of the key differences between taxi accidents and regular car crashes.
However, taxi companies and their insurers will still try to minimize payouts. They might claim you were partially at fault or that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim. That’s why having an experienced auto accident attorney in Lubbock makes such a difference in these cases.
Can I Sue the Taxi Company or Just the Driver
You can typically pursue claims against both the individual driver and the taxi company. The legal doctrine of respondeat superior makes employers liable for their employees’ negligent actions performed within the scope of employment. Since taxi drivers are usually on duty when accidents occur, this rule often applies.
Taxi companies sometimes argue their drivers are independent contractors rather than employees to avoid this liability. However, I know how to examine the actual working relationship—including company control over routes, schedules, and vehicle maintenance—to establish true employment status.
Direct company liability can also exist for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or poor vehicle maintenance. If a taxi company hired a driver with a history of accidents or failed to maintain brakes properly, they bear responsibility independent of vicarious liability rules.
Questions about your specific situation? Contact me for immediate answers about your legal options.
What Evidence Helps Win a Taxi Accident Case
Taxi accident cases require specific types of evidence that differ from regular car crashes. I move quickly to secure these materials before they’re lost or destroyed.
Dispatch and Trip Records
These company documents prove the driver was working at the time of the crash and show the intended route. They can also reveal if the driver deviated from proper procedures or was rushing to meet unrealistic schedules set by the company.
Electronic Data and Monitoring Systems
Modern taxis often have GPS tracking, dashcams, and electronic logging systems. This technology provides objective evidence of speed, location, and driver behavior before the crash. Companies may try to claim this data was lost or corrupted, which is why I send preservation demands immediately.
Driver Qualification Files
I investigate the driver’s background, including their hiring paperwork, driving record, training certificates, and any prior complaints. A pattern of violations or inadequate screening by the company can establish negligent hiring claims.
Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection Records
Taxi companies must maintain their fleets according to city regulations and safety standards. Skipped inspections, delayed repairs, or mechanical failures can prove company negligence contributed to your crash.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Taxi Crash
Taxi accident victims often suffer serious injuries due to the sudden, unexpected nature of these crashes. I fight to recover full compensation for both your economic and non-economic losses.
Medical Expenses and Future Care
You can recover all medical costs related to your injuries, from emergency room treatment to long-term rehabilitation. This includes hospital bills, surgery costs, prescription medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care your doctors recommend.
Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from working, you’re entitled to compensation for lost income. This includes not just the paychecks you’ve already missed, but also future earnings if your injuries permanently affect your ability to work or advance in your career.
Pain and Suffering Damages
Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of life enjoyment are real consequences of serious accidents. Texas law allows you to seek compensation for these non-economic damages, which often represent the largest portion of your total recovery.
Property Damage and Personal Items
You can recover costs for repairing or replacing personal belongings damaged in the crash, such as phones, laptops, clothing, or luggage. While these amounts may seem small compared to medical bills, every dollar matters in your recovery.
What Texas Laws Impact Your Taxi Accident Claim
Two key legal rules will significantly affect your case outcome. Understanding them helps you make informed decisions about your claim.
Statute of Limitations Deadlines
Texas gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to compensation forever, regardless of how strong your case might be.
Claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines—often just six months for notice requirements. If a city bus or poorly maintained road contributed to your accident, acting quickly becomes even more critical.
Comparative Negligence Rules
Texas follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as you’re less than 51% responsible. For example, if you weren’t wearing a seatbelt and that worsened your injuries, your compensation might be reduced but not eliminated.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto victims to reduce their payouts. They might claim you distracted the driver or failed to warn of dangers. Having an experienced attorney prevents these tactics from succeeding.
What If the Taxi Driver Was Uninsured or Fled the Scene
Uninsured taxi operations are illegal, but some companies still operate without proper coverage. Hit-and-run situations also complicate matters, but you still have options for recovery.
Your own auto insurance may provide coverage even when you’re a passenger in someone else’s vehicle. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage often extends to these situations, providing a crucial safety net when the at-fault party can’t pay.
I immediately begin investigating hit-and-run cases using surveillance footage from nearby businesses, witness statements, and physical evidence like paint transfers. Many cases that seem unsolvable initially can be cracked with thorough investigation and persistence.
Will Your Taxi Accident Case Settle or Go to Court
Most personal injury cases settle out of court, but my trial-ready preparation gives you the strongest negotiating position. Insurance companies know I won’t accept lowball offers and am prepared to take cases to trial when necessary.
Settlement negotiations typically begin after I’ve gathered all evidence and your medical treatment has progressed enough to understand your long-term prognosis. Rushing to settle before understanding the full extent of your injuries often leaves money on the table.
If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, filing a lawsuit may be necessary. This doesn’t guarantee a trial—many cases still settle after litigation begins—but it shows we’re serious about fighting for full value.
Taxi Accidents vs Uber and Lyft Claims in Texas
While they might seem similar, traditional taxi claims differ significantly from rideshare accident cases. Understanding these differences helps set proper expectations for your case.
Traditional taxis typically have clearer employer-employee relationships, making vicarious liability easier to establish. Uber and Lyft classify drivers as independent contractors, creating additional hurdles for holding the companies responsible.
Insurance coverage also differs substantially:
| Coverage Type | Traditional Taxi | Uber/Lyft |
| Minimum Liability | $300,000 (most Texas cities) | $1 million (passenger in vehicle) |
| Company Control | Direct employment relationship | Independent contractor model |
| Liability Complexity | Generally straightforward | Multiple coverage phases |
These differences affect case strategy and potential recovery amounts. Each type of claim requires specific knowledge and experience to handle effectively.
No Fee Unless We Win—How Perrin Law Injury & Accident Lawyer’s Contingency Works
You shouldn’t have to worry about legal bills while recovering from serious injuries. I handle all taxi accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and no attorney fees unless I win your case.
This arrangement aligns my interests with yours—I only succeed when you do. It also levels the playing field against large insurance companies who count on victims being unable to afford quality legal representation.
My contingency fee covers all case expenses, including expert witnesses, accident reconstruction specialists, and medical record reviews. You won’t receive surprise bills or hidden costs during your case.
Ready to discuss your case? Schedule your free consultation today—no obligations, just honest answers about your legal options.
Why Hire Perrin Law Injury & Accident Lawyer for Your Taxi Accident Case
When you hire me, you get personal attention from an attorney with over 20 years of experience exclusively representing injured people—never insurance companies. You’ll work directly with me throughout your case, not with paralegals or junior associates.
My deep knowledge of Lubbock’s court system, local judges, and opposing attorneys gives you a strategic advantage. I know how cases are typically valued in our area and what arguments resonate with local juries.
I prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which insurance companies respect and often leads to better settlement offers. They know I won’t back down from a fight when my clients deserve more than they’re offering.
Free Consultation with a Lubbock Taxi Accident Lawyer
Your first step toward justice is understanding your rights and options. I offer free, no-pressure consultations to discuss your accident and explain how I can help. During our meeting, I’ll review the facts of your case, explain the legal process, and give you honest answers about your potential recovery.
You’ll never feel pressured to hire me—my job is to provide information so you can make the best decision for your situation. If I can’t help you, I’ll tell you directly rather than string you along.
Don’t let insurance companies decide your future while you’re trying to heal. The sooner you get experienced legal representation, the stronger your case becomes and the better your chances of full recovery.
Call me today or fill out our online form for your free case review. I’ll personally evaluate your situation and fight for the compensation you deserve.
