Taxicabs are a common mode of transportation in any large metropolitan city, and Chicago is no different. Visitors and residents alike rely on cabs to travel in and around the city, including traveling to and from O’Hare and Midway Airports. Unfortunately, taxicab drivers are occasionally guilty of driving unsafely, including speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, or engaging in distracted driving behaviors like talking on the cell phone.
Since taxicabs are considered “common carriers” under Illinois law, their drivers are obligated to exercise the highest level of care in providing safe transportation. If a taxicab driver fails to obey the rules of the road or does not exercise the highest level of care, he or she may be liable for any resulting injuries and deaths that occur to passengers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other motorists.
At Cogan & Power, our Chicago accident and injury lawyers focus on representing the victims of motor vehicle accidents and their families in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. As a result of our vast experience, we have obtained numerous substantial verdicts and settlements in wrongful death cases, including a $13 million settlement in a commercial trucking accident and a $6.8 million verdict in an auto accident case.
Wrongful death lawsuits of any kind are complex and challenging cases, and these cases can be further complicated when a fatal taxicab accident is involved. Proving liability in a fatal taxicab accident case can be difficult, with challenging factual and legal issues, making the assistance of a skilled Chicago wrongful death attorney all the more important. At Cogan & Power, our Chicago fatal taxicab accident attorneys engage in a comprehensive factual investigation of the accident and a thorough legal analysis of all possible legal claims. We review the taxicab driver’s record for any past traffic violations, prior accidents, drug or alcohol use, or vehicle maintenance problems. We also analyze the cab company’s hiring practices and work environment.
The plaintiff in a wrongful death action involving a fatal taxicab accident may be entitled to receive compensation for the following:
(if decedent has minor children)
protection and care
of surviving spouse and next of kin
of the decedent prior to death
(if defendant’s actions were intentional)
Wrongful death laws include strict time limitations (called statutes of limitations) governing when a lawsuit can be filed. Accordingly, it is important to act quickly to protect your rights. By enlisting the help of an experienced Illinois wrongful death attorney like those at Cogan & Power, you can promptly begin the legal analysis, factual investigation, and document preparation necessary to bring a successful wrongful death action.
Do not hesitate to contact our office at (312) 477-2500 to discuss a possible wrongful death claim and learn more about the types of damages to which you may be entitled. If you cannot come to our offices in downtown Chicago, we will come to you. And because we take cases on a contingency basis, you will not pay any fee unless we get you compensation.