TL;DR
Taxi accidents are often treated differently than ordinary car accidents because taxi companies are typically classified as common carriers, which owe passengers a higher duty of care. That higher standard, combined with often-low local insurance minimums, means identifying every liable party matters. Texas gives you two years to file a claim, while Tennessee allows only one.
After a taxi accident, the taxi company can often be held directly responsible for the driver’s negligence, not just the driver themselves, because taxi companies are typically classified as common carriers owing passengers a heightened duty of care. In Texas, this duty comes from the common law and Texas Transportation Code Chapter 5, which governs common carrier obligations. Tennessee courts have long recognized the same heightened standard for taxis and similar for-hire vehicles. This post covers how that duty of care shapes your claim and who can actually be held liable. For a broader look at fault and liability across all crash types, see our motor vehicle accidents guide.
Here Is Why: Taxi Accidents Are Treated Differently Under Texas and Tennessee Law
Taxi accidents are treated differently under Texas and Tennessee law because taxi companies are typically classified as common carriers, which owe passengers a higher duty of care than an ordinary driver. Breaching that heightened duty, not just simple negligence, is often the central issue in a taxi accident claim in either state.
The common carrier standard. Texas Transportation Code Chapter 5 outlines the duties and liabilities of common carriers, and Texas courts have long applied a heightened standard of care to those transporting paying passengers. Tennessee courts apply a similar rule, holding common carriers to a duty of the utmost care consistent with the practical operation of their business.
Local insurance minimums can be surprisingly low. Unlike rideshare companies, which face statewide insurance mandates, taxi companies are regulated locally in both states under frameworks like Tennessee taxicab licensing rules, and required coverage can vary significantly by city, sometimes falling close to standard auto insurance minimums rather than the higher limits many riders assume apply.
Who Is Liable in a Taxi Accident Claim
Taxi drivers are frequently company employees or lease drivers operating under the company’s permit, which means the taxi company itself can often be held vicariously liable for a driver’s negligence under respondeat superior. This differs meaningfully from rideshare cases, where drivers are typically classified as independent contractors, making the company’s direct liability harder to establish.
That said, liability in a taxi accident isn’t limited to the driver and the company. A third-party motorist who caused the crash may be primarily liable, and the taxi company’s own hiring, training, or vehicle maintenance practices can create a separate claim if negligence there contributed to your injuries. Local investigations, including a Houston taxi insurance report, have shown just how low required coverage can be in some cities, which is why pinpointing which entity’s insurance actually applies, and confirming the company’s permit and coverage were active at the time of the crash, is often the first hurdle in a taxi accident claim.
Fault also affects what you can recover. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, barring recovery if you’re found more than 50 percent responsible for the crash, and Tennessee applies the same 50 percent bar under its own modified comparative fault standard. Because a taxi passenger is rarely at fault for the crash itself, this rule tends to matter most when a third-party motorist disputes who caused the collision.
What to Do After a Taxi Accident
- Get the taxi company’s name, the cab or medallion number, and the driver’s information before leaving the scene.
- Call the police and request an official accident report, which documents fault independent of the company’s own records.
- Seek medical care promptly, even for injuries that seem minor at first.
- Photograph the vehicle, the company markings and permit number, and the scene itself.
- Get contact information from any witnesses, since taxi companies may dispute driver fault internally.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the taxi company or its insurer until you’ve spoken with an attorney, since early statements are often used to shift blame away from the company.
Acting quickly matters even more in Tennessee, where the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is only one year under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104. Texas allows more time — two years under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 — but company records and witness accounts are easiest to preserve immediately after the crash in either state.
What This Means: Moving Forward With a Taxi Accident Claim
A taxi accident claim often comes down to proving the company’s heightened duty of care was breached, and identifying who is liable when a driver, a company, and possibly a third-party motorist are involved. Texas and Tennessee both recognize taxis as common carriers, but confirming which insurance policy applies takes documentation gathered close to the crash. If you’re still working through fault and liability questions more broadly, our motor vehicle accidents guide covers how Texas and Tennessee approach car accident claims overall.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Culpepper Law Group for guidance specific to your situation.
Take This Step: Get Help From a Houston or Memphis Taxi Accident Lawyer
Figuring out who’s responsible after a taxi accident shouldn’t be something you sort out alone while recovering. As a personal injury lawyer team, Culpepper Law Group offers a free consultation to identify the driver, the company, and any other parties liable for your injuries. Our Stafford, Texas office serves the greater Houston area, and our Memphis, Tennessee office handles claims across that region. You pay nothing unless we win your case. Reach out today so we can start protecting your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I sue the taxi company directly, or only the driver?
In most cases, yes — taxi companies can be held directly liable for a driver’s negligence because they’re classified as common carriers responsible for passenger safety.
2. How much does it cost to hire a taxi accident lawyer in Texas or Tennessee?
Culpepper Law Group works on contingency, so there’s no upfront cost, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
3. Does it matter if I was a passenger versus a pedestrian hit by a taxi?
No — both passengers and pedestrians injured by a taxi can pursue a claim against the driver and company’s applicable insurance policy.
4. How long do I have to file a taxi accident claim in Tennessee versus Texas?
Tennessee gives you one year to file suit, while Texas allows two years, though evidence should be gathered immediately in both states.
5. What if the taxi’s insurance isn’t enough to cover my injuries?
If the company’s policy limits fall short, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help cover the remaining costs, which is worth reviewing with an attorney.
Key Takeaways
- Taxi companies are typically classified as common carriers, owing passengers a higher duty of care under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 5 and Tennessee common law.
- Taxi companies can often be held vicariously liable for a driver’s negligence, unlike rideshare companies that classify drivers as independent contractors.
- Local insurance minimums for taxis can be lower than many riders expect, making it important to identify every liable party.
- Tennessee allows only one year to file a taxi accident lawsuit under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104, while Texas allows two years.
- If the taxi company’s insurance falls short, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help cover the remaining costs.
