Generally, Illinois law requires drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. However, the law has a specific exemption for passengers in the backseat of taxicabs. While passengers in the backseat of cabs are not legally required to wear seat belts, it is a generally a good idea to do so. A cab is no safer than any other vehicle on the road. If the cab is involved in an accident and you are not wearing a seat belt then you may be seriously hurt or killed—just as you would in any other vehicle.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt
Regardless of whether you wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, you should take specific steps to protect your potential recovery after a cab crash. Specifically, you should:
- Insist that the police come and investigate the accident. Illinois law requires that many accidents be reported.
- Make sure to get all relevant driver information. This includes the medallion number, name, employer, license and insurance information of the cab driver, and the name, license, and insurance information from other drivers.
- Accept medical help if you are hurt. Go to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer for help. A lawyer will investigate what happened and help you recover from the cab company, the taxi driver, or another driver, as appropriate.
You were not driving any of the vehicles involved in the accident and you did not cause the crash. However, you will need to take steps to protect your own recovery. For more information, please start a live chat with us today.
