chicago taxi accident lawyers

Chicago Taxi Cab Accident Attorneys

Last Updated on September 8, 2026 by Patrick A. Salvi II

Despite the increase in popularity of Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies, taxi cabs are still the most popular form of private transportation for people in Chicago that do not want to drive their own vehicles around the city. When you hail a cab, you expect to get to your destination safely, but taxi cab accidents in Chicago are more common than most people realize.

At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we have helped many clients to secure the compensation they deserved after being injured in a taxi cab accident in Chicago. Contact us today to discuss how we can put our experience to work for you.

Common Causes of Taxi Cab Accidents in Chicago

Taxi cab accidents happen for a number of different reasons all across the city. The sheer number of vehicles on the road in Chicago, especially during rush hour, are a recipe for disaster when it comes to taxi accidents. Driving angry or frustrated can lead to rash decisions on the road that can cause an accident, and with all of the machinery and chatter with their home station, it is easy for taxi drivers to get distracted on the road. Taxi drivers also work long hours. Many cab drivers handle fares while they are fatigued, leading to accidents across the city.

Types of Cab Accident Injuries

Given the speed of the taxi at the time of the accident and the other vehicles involved, injuries sustained in Chicago taxi cab accidents can be severe and life-altering. Some of the most common injuries our office has seen which resulted from taxi cab accidents include:

Some of these injuries can take months or years for victims to fully recover from, while some victims may suffer from a permanent disability and need a lifetime of care. An experienced personal injury attorney at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help you to pursue the compensation that you are owed for your injuries and losses and protect your rights when dealing with insurance companies.

Liability in Chicago Taxi Cab Accidents

Taxi cabs in Chicago are considered common carriers. As a result, cab drivers and the companies that employ them owe an incredibly high duty of care to the passengers they drive. If you are injured in a taxi accident because of your driver, or if you are struck by a taxi as a pedestrian, both the driver and the cab company can be liable for damages. The driver is liable because he caused the accident. The cab company could also be liable because the driver is an employee of the company who caused the accident in the course and scope of his employment, or because the cab company hired and retained a dangerous driver.

If you are a passenger in a taxi that is struck by another vehicle, the driver of that vehicle, your cab driver, and the cab company can all potentially be liable for the injuries you sustain as a result of the crash. The driver of the other vehicle can be held liable for causing the accident. However, your cab driver and the cab company can also still be liable for damages. This is because Illinois common carrier laws hold cab companies and other businesses that transport people to the highest possible standard. So, if there was anything that the cab driver could have done to avoid or mitigate the accident, the driver and cab company could be liable for your damages as well.

Chicago Cab Accident Compensation

Compensation for Chicago taxi cab accidents can include both economic and non-economic damages for the victim. Economic damages include out-of-pocket costs, such as current and future medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and the loss of future earnings and benefits. Non-economic damages cover payment for pain and suffering, the loss of enjoyment of life, disability, and disfigurement.

In the most severe cab accidents, where the victim dies as a result, surviving family members may be eligible to bring a wrongful death claim. The claim can seek compensation for funeral costs as well as non-economic damages for the loss of love, security, companionship, and consortium.

How a Lawyer Can Help You After a Chicago Taxi Cab Accident

Hiring a car accident attorney after a cab accident is the best way to preserve your right to pursue compensation. A lawyer at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. will immediately begin to collect evidence about the accident and start to build the best possible case for compensation for your injuries. Your attorney will also serve as a shield between you and the insurance companies, preventing them from making hounding phone calls demanding a statement about your accident or pressuring you to accept a settlement offer that may be worth far less than the true value of your claim. When you hire an attorney, the insurance companies will be required to go through the attorney with any communications or negotiations for a settlement of your case. If a full and fair settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will be ready to take your case to trial and zealously advocate on your behalf for the compensation you deserve.

Our Chicago Taxi Cab Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Serve You

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has a long record of obtaining results for clients in Chicago and throughout Illinois. Since our founding in 1982, we have secured more than $3.5 billion in verdicts and settlements on our clients’ behalf, including a $148 million verdict in August 2017 – the highest personal injury compensatory verdict in Illinois history. We can put that experience to work for you if you recently suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a taxi cab accident. To learn more about how we can help you, call or reach us online today for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicago Taxi Cab

Accidents involving taxis can be complicated. That’s why our Chicago taxi cab accident attorneys have provided the answers to some of the questions we most frequently get asked. Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. now if you need additional guidance.

Who pays for my injuries if I was a passenger in the taxi?

The person or organization responsible for paying for your injuries will depend on who is to blame for the crash. That might be any of the following:

  • The taxi driver
  • Another motorist or road user
  • A taxi company, if one exists
  • An at-fault person’s employer, if that person was on the job at the time
  • Third-party maintenance providers
  • The manufacturer of defective components
  • A government entity responsible for road maintenance

Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. for a free, no-obligation case review and to get a better idea of who might have to pay for your injuries.

Can I sue the taxi company or only the driver?

In most cases, you would not have grounds to sue a taxi company. Often time, a taxi company if there is not even involved in the accident. That’s because most cabbies are independent, self-employed contractors. They might lease their vehicles from a company, and they might rent out the medallion that allows them to operate the vehicle as a taxi, but they generally work for themselves.

That being said, there may be circumstances where a company is liable in addition to or separately from the person driving the taxi. For example, if a separate business organization owns the vehicle itself, it might be responsible if poor maintenance contributed to the crash. An experienced cab accident lawyer can review business documents and other evidence to determine if an employer–employee relationship exists between the cabby and a separate company, or if a taxi company might be independently at fault for the crash.

How long do I have to file a taxi accident claim in Illinois?

The statute of limitations on personal injury claims in Illinois gives you two years from the date of a taxi accident to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. If you attempt to bring suit after this deadline has passed, the court hearing your case may dismiss it as untimely filed, which will cost you your right to compensation. There are other practical reasons to move fast, such as the availability of evidence and having more time to negotiate a settlement. Protect your rights by speaking with an experienced lawyer from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C immediately.

How much is a Chicago taxi accident settlement worth?

The value of a Chicago taxi accident settlement depends on the unique facts of your case. These factors include the following:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • The cost of your medical care
  • How much income you’ve lost
  • Whether your career is affected
  • How many other parties are at fault
  • The extent of available insurance coverages
  • The strength of your evidence

An experienced personal injury attorney with Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can give you a better idea of what to expect when you meet with us during a free, no-obligation consultation.

How much does a taxi accident lawyer cost?

You might be worried about the cost of hiring a taxi cab accident attorney, given the cost of your medical bills and the extent of your lost wages. Fortunately, the taxi cab accident attorneys with Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. work on contingency, which means you only pay us if we win your case. You will never pay upfront or out-of-pocket for our services. Instead, our fee is an agreed-upon percentage of the financial compensation we recover on your behalf. That way, there’s no financial risk to asserting your legal rights.

What should I do after a taxi cab accident in Chicago?

The steps you take in the days and weeks after a taxi accident can significantly affect the strength of your personal injury case. The following are a few things to consider doing:

  • Report the accident to the police if you have not already done so, and ask for a copy of their incident report.
  • Get the taxi driver’s name, taxi chauffeur license number, and other details, as well as the contact information of anyone else involved in the crash.
  • Seek medical attention promptly and tell the treating physician that you were in a taxi accident.
  • Write down your memory of events while it’s still fresh.
  • Gather other evidence, including copies of your medical records, past pay stubs if you have to miss work, and any communications you’ve received from insurance companies.
  • Be careful what you say to insurance adjusters and avoid posting on social media for the time being.

Finally, contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. for a free, no-risk consultation with a Chicago taxi lawyer. We’ll review your case and advise you on your legal options at no upfront cost to you.