jersey city taxi accident Attorney
Injured in a Taxi Cab in Jersey City? You Have Rights — and a Deadline.
If you were hurt as a passenger, driver, or pedestrian in a Jersey City taxi accident, the steps you take in the next 48 hours can determine whether you recover full compensation — or walk away with nothing. At Sarofiem & Antoun, LLC, our Jersey City taxi accident attorneys fight aggressively for clients injured by negligent cab drivers, taxi companies, and their insurers.
Call (201) 792-3333 now for a free, confidential case review. No fee unless we win.
Why Taxi Accident Cases Are Different from Regular Car Crashes
A taxi accident is not a typical fender-bender. Three things make these cases legally complex — and why hiring an experienced Jersey City taxi accident lawyer is essential:
- Multiple liable parties. The taxi driver, the taxi company, the cab owner (if different), another negligent motorist, and even the City of Jersey City (for road defects) may all share fault.
- Commercial insurance policies. Under N.J.A.C. 13:21-23.1, NJ taxis must carry commercial motor vehicle insurance with higher minimum limits than standard auto policies. These carriers fight aggressively to minimize payouts.
- No Personal Injury Protection (PIP) for most passengers. Unlike standard NJ auto policies, most taxis do not carry no-fault PIP coverage for passengers, which dramatically changes how medical bills are paid and how claims are pursued.
This is why generic personal injury firms often miss compensation that an experienced Jersey City taxi accident attorney can secure.
Common Causes of Jersey City Taxi Accidents We Handle
Jersey City’s congested streets — from Journal Square and Newport to the Holland Tunnel approach and the Exchange Place financial district — create constant collision risk. Our firm represents victims of taxi accidents caused by:
- Driver fatigue from 12+ hour shifts
- Distracted driving (dispatch apps, phones, GPS)
- Speeding and reckless lane changes to maximize fares
- Running red lights and stop signs at intersections like Kennedy Boulevard and Communipaw Avenue
- Drunk or impaired driving
- Failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
- Defective brakes, tires, or vehicle maintenance by the taxi company
- Sudden passenger drop-offs in moving traffic lanes
- Rear-end collisions at PATH stations and bus stops
Who Pays When You're Injured in a Jersey City Taxi?
Liability in NJ taxi accidents depends on the relationship between the driver and the cab company. Our attorneys investigate every potentially responsible party:
| If the driver is… | Who is liable |
|---|---|
| An employee of a taxi company | The driver AND the company (vicarious liability under NJ respondeat superior doctrine) |
| An independent contractor renting the cab | Primarily the driver, with possible claims against the company for negligent hiring or maintenance |
| At fault, but another motorist caused the crash | The third-party driver’s auto insurance |
| Driving a defective vehicle | The taxi company and possibly the manufacturer |
We identify every insurance policy in play — including excess and umbrella coverage — to maximize your recovery.
Compensation You Can Recover After a Jersey City Taxi Accident
New Jersey law allows injured taxi accident victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages:
Economic damages:
- Emergency room and hospital bills
- Surgery, physical therapy, and future medical care
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket costs (transportation, prescriptions, medical devices)
- Property damage
Non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages may also apply when a taxi driver acted with extreme recklessness — for example, driving while intoxicated or fleeing the scene.
Important: New Jersey’s Limitation on Lawsuit (“verbal threshold”) option does NOT apply to injuries caused by commercial vehicles, including taxis. This means you generally retain full rights to sue for pain and suffering even if your own auto policy has the limited tort option.
The Strict 2-Year Deadline to File a Taxi Accident Lawsuit in NJ
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey. Miss this deadline, and your right to compensation is permanently lost — no matter how serious your injuries.
If the at-fault party is a government entity (for example, a municipal road defect contributed to the crash), you must file a Notice of Tort Claim within 90 days under N.J.S.A. 59:8-8. These deadlines run fast. The sooner you call Sarofiem & Antoun, LLC, the more time we have to preserve evidence and build your case.
What to Do After a Taxi Accident in Jersey City: A 7-Step Checklist
- Call 911. Report the accident even if injuries seem minor. NJ law (N.J.S.A. 39:4-130) requires a police report for any accident causing injury or property damage over $500.
- Get medical attention immediately — even if you feel fine. Concussions, internal bleeding, and soft-tissue injuries often present hours or days later.
- Document everything. Photograph the cab’s medallion number, license plate, driver’s hack license, the scene, injuries, and damage. Get the driver’s name, phone, and the taxi company name.
- Collect witness contact information. Independent witnesses are often the difference between winning and losing.
- Do NOT give a recorded statement to the taxi company’s insurance adjuster before consulting an attorney.
- Do NOT sign any release or settlement offer until your case has been evaluated.
- Call a Jersey City taxi accident attorney — Sarofiem & Antoun, LLC at (201) 792-3333.
Why Choose Sarofiem & Antoun, LLC
Headquartered at 895 Bergen Ave #306, Jersey City, NJ 07306, our firm is built around three commitments to every taxi accident client in Hudson County:
- Local Jersey City presence — we know the intersections, the police precincts, the hospitals, and the taxi companies operating in our city.
- Direct attorney access — you speak with a lawyer, not a case manager.
- Contingency fee — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
We represent clients throughout Jersey City, Bayonne, Hoboken, Union City, West New York, North Bergen, Secaucus, Weehawken, Kearny, and all of Hudson County.
Contact a Jersey City Taxi Accident Attorney Today
You don’t have to face the taxi company’s insurance lawyers alone. Sarofiem & Antoun, LLC is ready to fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Sarofiem & Antoun, LLC 895 Bergen Ave #306, Jersey City, NJ 07306 (201) 792-3333 Available 24/7 for emergency consultations
Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
Taxi Accident FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a Jersey City taxi accident attorney?
Nothing upfront. Sarofiem & Antoun, LLC handles taxi accident cases on a contingency fee basis — we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
I was a passenger and don't own a car. Can I still file a claim?
Yes. As an injured passenger, you have the right to pursue compensation against the taxi driver, the taxi company, and any other at-fault parties — regardless of whether you own a vehicle or have your own auto insurance.
How long do taxi accident cases take in New Jersey?
Straightforward cases may resolve in 6–12 months. Serious injury cases involving litigation can take 18–36 months. We pursue the fastest path to fair compensation without sacrificing case value.
What if the taxi driver was an Uber or Lyft driver — does the same law apply?
No. Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors and trigger different insurance rules (Uber carries a $1.5 million liability policy when a ride is in progress). Traditional taxi drivers are typically employees, making the taxi company directly liable. Our firm handles both case types.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Under New Jersey’s modified comparative negligence rule (N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1), you can still recover damages as long as you were 50% or less at fault — though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
How much is my Jersey City taxi accident case worth?
Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, medical costs, lost income, available insurance coverage, and degree of negligence. Jersey City taxi accident settlements have ranged from tens of thousands to over $600,000 for serious passenger injury cases. Call (201) 792-3333 for a free case valuation.
Get Your Free Case Review
Why Choose NJCrash?
- Direct access to experienced attorneys
- No fees unless we win your case
- Millions recovered for NJ clients
- Available 24/7 for emergencies
- Multilingual support (EN/ES/AR)