A Guide To Making Taxi Accident Claims

If you’ve been involved in a taxi accident, either as a passenger, pedestrian, or another road user, you may be wondering whether you’re eligible to make a taxi accident compensation claim. This expert guide provides a detailed overview of the taxi accident claims process, covering everything from how to claim as a passenger, driver, or other road user, and the type of compensation you may be entitled to.

What We Cover:

• Find out if you’re eligible to make a taxi accident claim.
• Learn how to claim even if you weren’t wearing a seatbelt.
• Discover what to do if injured by a taxi driver outside of a road collision.
• See how compensation could be awarded in this type of claim.
• Understand how the Whiplash Reform Programme could impact your case.
• Explore how to claim with a solicitor’s support using a No Win No Fee agreement.
• Learn what evidence strengthens a personal injury claim.
• Get expert help from UK Law’s trusted panel of solicitors.

At UK Law, our dedicated advisors can connect you with our panel of solicitors who specialise in road traffic accident claims, ensuring your case is handled with professionalism and care. Contact our team at UK Law today and see if you could be entitled to claim compensation. Our contact services are completely free to use and live 24/7:

• Call 020 3870 4868.
• Fill out our ‘claim online‘ page.
• Message into our live chat box on the screen.

Jump To A Section

1. Can I Make A Taxi Accident Claim?
2. What Taxi Accident Compensation Can Be Awarded?
3. The Time Limit For Taxi Accident Claims
4. Examples Of The Most Common Taxi Accidents
5. What Evidence Do I Need To Make A Claim?
6. Can I Claim With A Conditional Fee Agreement?
7. Learn More

Can I Make A Taxi Accident Claim?

Yes, you may be eligible to make a taxi accident claim if you show that:

1. A road user owed you a duty of care.
2. There was a breach of that duty.
3. You suffered injuries as a result.

To ensure they comply with their duty of care, all road users, including private hire vehicle operators and taxi drivers, must drive responsibly and follow the rules outlined in the Road Traffic Act 1988 and The Highway Code.

Start your taxi accident claim today by contacting UK Law. Our advisors are ready to assess your case for free and help you take the next steps.

Can I Still Claim If I Wasn’t Wearing A Seatbelt?

Yes, you may still be able to claim even if you weren’t wearing a seatbelt. However, this could be considered contributory negligence.

When making a contributory negligence claim, your compensation might be reduced depending on the extent to which your actions contributed to the severity of your injuries.

In contributory negligence cases:

• A percentage is deducted from your compensation.
• The amount depends on how much your actions worsened the injuries. For example, if your injuries were worsened by 20% because of your actions, there will be a 20% reduction in your compensation.

Your taxi accident claim remains valid if you weren’t wearing a seatbelt, but a fair settlement will reflect your shared responsibility.

Unsure how contributory negligence affects your case? Call UK Law today for tailored guidance on claiming taxi accident compensation.

What If I Was Injured By The Taxi Driver?

You may still be eligible to make a taxi accident compensation claim even if the accident wasn’t caused by a road traffic collision.

Here are some examples where a taxi passenger accident claim might be justified due to the taxi driver failing to meet their duty of care in a non-driving context:

• Automated Door Injury: The taxi driver shut the automated car doors before checking that you were fully in the vehicle. Because of this, your fingers became trapped, which later led to you needing finger amputation due to crush injuries.
• Slip on an Unsuitable Surface: You asked the taxi driver to pull over safely, but they stopped on a steep, icy slope. As you stepped out, you slipped and broke your ankle, requiring surgery and months of physiotherapy.
• Failure to Assist a Vulnerable Passenger: An elderly passenger with limited mobility was not offered help getting out of the vehicle. As a result, they lost balance and fractured their hip while exiting the taxi.
• Unsafe Vehicle Interior: A passenger was seated in a vehicle where the seatbelt was broken and not properly maintained. During a sharp turn, the passenger was flung sideways, sustaining shoulder and rib injuries.

Injured due to poor conduct from a taxi driver? Contact UK Law today and let an experienced personal injury solicitor from our panel help you claim the compensation you deserve.

What Taxi Accident Compensation Can Be Awarded?

A successful taxi accident compensation claim can include both general damages and special damages:

• General damages compensate you for the physical pain and psychological suffering caused by your injuries.
• Special damages cover any financial losses incurred as a result of the accident.

The value of general damages is usually assessed using the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which outline recommended compensation brackets for different types of injuries based on severity.

Below is a table offering suggested compensation figures based on these guidelines. Please note, every claim is unique, so these figures are only intended as a guide and do not account for special damages, which can significantly increase the value of your compensation claim. Also, the top figure isn’t from the JCG, and the bottom two figures are from the tariffs in the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 (which we explain shortly).

Type of injury	Injury severity	Guideline compensation brackets
Multiple serious injuries along with special damages	Serious	Up to £1,000,000+
Brain Damage	Very Severe	£344,150 to £493,000
Back	Severe (a)(i)	£111,150 to £196,450
	Moderate (b)(i)	£33,880 to £47,320
Neck	Severe (a)(i)	In the region of £181,020
	Moderate (b)(i)	£30,500 to £46,970
Hips & pelvis	Severe (a)(i)	£95,680 to £159,770
	Moderate (b)(i)	£32,450 to £47,810
Hand	Amputation of index and middle and/or ring fingers (d)	£75,550 to £110,750
Whiplash + a minor psychological injury	Lasting between 18-24 months	£4,345
Whiplash	Lasting between 18-24 months	£4,215

How Is The Amount Of Compensation Determined?

General damages are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and several factors can influence the amount awarded, such as:

• Severity of the injury – More serious or life-changing injuries typically result in higher compensation.
• Duration of pain and suffering – Long-term or permanent injuries will attract more compensation than short-lived ones.
• Impact on daily life – If your injuries limit your ability to work, socialise, or live independently, this may increase the award. This is also known as loss of amenity.
• Age at the time of injury – Younger individuals with lifelong consequences may receive a higher sum.
• Recovery time – Delays or complications during recovery could lead to an uplift in the final compensation amount.
• Emotional and psychological trauma – Anxiety, PTSD, and depression following the accident may also be compensated.

Additionally, special damages aims to put you back in the financial position you were in before the taxi accident occurred. This includes compensation for:

• Loss of income from taking time off work to recover from your injury.
• Medical expenses (e.g. treatment, prescriptions, therapy).
• Travel costs to and from medical appointments.
• Care and support, whether professional or from a family member.
• Damage to personal belongings, such as clothing or electronic devices.

Keeping medical records, receipts, and detailed proof of your expenses is essential to support this part of your claim.

To get a personalised estimate of your compensation entitlement, speak with UK Law’s team of friendly advisors today. You could be closer to a fair settlement than you think.

What Are The New Whiplash Tariffs?

Changes brought in by the Whiplash Reform Programme have affected how certain low-value road traffic accident claims are processed.

If all the following apply to your case, you may need to pursue your taxi accident compensation claim through a different route:

• You were injured while travelling as a driver or passenger in a vehicle.
• You are 18 or older.
• Your injuries are valued at £5,000 or less.

In such cases, compensation for whiplash is calculated using a fixed tariff system introduced under the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021. These tariffs provide set amounts depending on how long your injuries last.

If you’ve sustained additional injuries not covered by the whiplash tariff, such as a soft tissue wrist injury or cuts and bruises, they will be assessed using the traditional approach. If the total value of your claim, including all injuries, exceeds £5,000, your case may fall under the standard taxi accident claims process, but the whiplash tariff will still apply to the relevant part of your claim.

It’s important to understand which claims route applies to you. The easiest way to find out is by speaking directly with our advisors.

The Time Limit For Taxi Accident Claims

Typically, you will have 3 years from the date of the taxi accident to start a personal injury claim. This is in accordance with the Limitation Act 1980. If you try to make a claim after this period has expired, it’s likely to be considered out of time, unless an exception applies.

There are two main exceptions to this 3-year time limit:

• Children under 18: The time limit is paused until their 18th birthday because these parties cannot make their own claim. A responsible adult, known as a litigation friend, can make the claim on the child’s behalf at any time before they turn 18. If no claim is made during childhood, the individual has 3 years to claim once they reach adulthood.
• Adults lacking mental capacity: If someone is unable to manage their own legal affairs, whether temporarily or permanently, a litigation friend can be appointed to handle the claim on their behalf. This person must act in the best interests of the injured party and can only step in while the claimant is unable to conduct the claim themselves. If mental capacity is later regained, the 3-year limitation period will begin from that date.

It’s essential to act promptly, as delay could prevent you from securing the taxi accident compensation you may be entitled to.

Examples Of The Most Common Taxi Accidents

Here are some of the most common scenarios in which taxi accident compensation claims may arise:

• Running a Red Light While Distracted: While you were a passenger in a taxi, the driver went through a red light while checking their mobile phone. This resulted in a T-bone collision at a junction, causing you to suffer whiplash and a lower back injury.
• Dangerous Overtaking: Your taxi driver attempted to overtake a vehicle on a bend without sufficient visibility. They collided head-on with an oncoming car, leading to a fractured collarbone and concussion.
• Rear-End Collision: Another vehicle failed to keep a safe distance and crashed into the back of your stationary taxi at a roundabout. You suffered a soft tissue injury to your neck as a result of this car accident.
• Hit by a Drunk Driver: You were driving your licensed taxi responsibly when another vehicle swerved into your lane. The other driver was later found to be over the legal alcohol limit. Because of the accident involving the drunk driver, you suffered a broken arm and were unable to work for several weeks.
• Dooring Accident: As a cyclist, you were riding past a parked taxi when the driver suddenly opened their door without checking for passing traffic. You collided with the door, fell onto the road, and suffered a dislocated shoulder and facial injuries. The driver failed in their duty to ensure it was safe before opening the door.
• Pedestrian Crossing Incident: While crossing at a designated pedestrian crossing with the green signal, you were struck by a taxi whose driver was speeding and failed to stop in time. You suffered a broken ankle and required surgery. The taxi driver breached their duty of care by ignoring traffic signals and not reducing speed near pedestrian zones.

Call UK Law today and discuss your circumstances to confirm your claim eligibility.

What Evidence Do I Need To Make A Claim?

To strengthen your taxi accident compensation claim, you could gather:

• Photographs of the accident scene and injuries.
• Video footage of the accident occurring.
• Witness contact details.
• Medical records and treatment details.
• Police report, if applicable.
• Insurance and vehicle details of the involved parties.
• Records of travel costs, loss of earnings, and other expenses.

Detailed, reliable evidence makes taxi accident claims more likely to succeed.

Need help collecting evidence? Speak with UK Law today. A road traffic accident solicitor from our panel can assist you in gathering crucial evidence to strengthen your taxi accident compensation claim.

Can I Claim With A Conditional Fee Agreement?

Yes. At UK Law, our panel of solicitors offer claims services on a No Win No Fee basis through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).

Here are the benefits of a CFA:

• There are no upfront or ongoing solicitor fees.
• There are no solicitor fees if your case is unsuccessful.
• If your claim succeeds, a percentage of your compensation (capped by law, typically 25%) will be deducted from your compensation. This is called the ‘success fee’.

Call UK Law today to find out how a No Win No Fee agreement could help you claim with peace of mind.

Contact UK Law

Our advisors provide free advice and can connect you with a trusted taxi accident lawyer from our panel.

You should choose UK Law to help you with your claim because our panel offer:

• Specialist expertise in taxi accident claims.
• National coverage and a flexible service.
• Honest advice on how much compensation could be received.
• Support throughout the whole taxi accident claims process.

So, contact UK Law now. Your claim could begin today:

• Call 020 3870 4868.
• Fill out our ‘claim online‘ page.
• Message into our live chat box on the screen.

Learn More

Continue exploring our other guides:

• How to make a split liability road traffic accident claim.
• How to make a road traffic accident claim against an uninsured driver.
• How to make a road traffic accident claim against a bus.

Additionally, these external resources might provide you with useful information:

• NHS – how to get a copy of your medical records.
• Gov.UK – how to receive Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for needing time off work to recover from your injuries.
• Gov.UK – how to report an unlicensed taxi.

Contact us for your free consultation and to find out ore about the taxi accident claims process.