If a Negligent Taxi Driver Causes Serious Injuries You Are Entitled to Claim Compensatory Damages

New York law permits a seriously injured victim of taxi driver negligence to claim “compensatory damages” which is money paid to accident victims as compensation for physical, emotional, or financial losses. In personal injury cases, they are broken down into two distinct categories: economic and non-economic.

You can sue for economic damages if you experienced any out of pocket monetary harm because of the accident. Examples of such harm include:

• Lost wages. You need money to pay your bills and support your family. Having to stay home and let your injury heal caused you financial stress.
• Reduced earning capacity. You will never be able to work or earn as much as you did before your injury.
• Medical expenses. You needed emergency treatment—like surgery or a hospital stay, or long-term care—like physical therapy or home nursing.
• Other out of pocket expenses. Any other money you paid out of your own pocket for expenses related to your injuries such as transportation, modifications in your own, medical equipment, etc. may be claimed

Non-economic damages are less concrete than economic damages. They encompass physical and psychological harm caused by the accident, such as:

• Pain and suffering. Your injury is, was, or will always be physically painful. You may also sue for emotional anguish, if the accident or your injury was very upsetting or caused you psychological distress.
• Reduced quality of life. The lifestyle you once took for granted is now out of your reach. You cannot perform all of the activities you used to. In especially serious cases, you cannot live independently at all.
• Disability. Your injuries have permanently affected your physical or mental abilities. This may include the total or partial loss of a limb, a sense (e.g., sight or hearing), or an organ.
• Loss of companionship. In wrongful death cases, you have been deprived of your loved one’s support and affection. You can sue for that loss.

Dansker & Aspromonte LLP Associates has been representing accident victims since 1988. This is all we do. Whether you were a driver, a pedestrian, or a passenger seriously injured in a taxi accident, our lawyers are here to fight for you so you can focus on getting better.

Every case is unique and based upon the particular facts and circumstances presented. In some cases, the amount of compensation awarded can be substantial. In Michele W. v. Star, we won millions for the family of a young girl who was injured in a motor vehicle accident. Call us at (646) 692-0204 to learn what our injury lawyers can do for you.