Second taxi cab accident occurs this week in NYC

Earlier this week, we wrote about a serious New York City car accident that left three people injured after a taxi cab jumped a curb near Radio City Music Hall and struck a bicyclist and two pedestrians.

Today, it was reported that another serious accident involving a taxi was narrowly missed when a taxi driver reportedly cut off another taxi in effort to get a fair and crashed into scaffolding on Sixth Avenue near West 37th.

The accident occurred around 1:30 a.m., so luckily there were few people on the streets. Otherwise, serious injuries or even fatalities could have resulted.

In an interview, the taxi driver who was allegedly cut off said the other cab driver was trying to get to a customer before he did. After cutting off the first taxi, the second taxi couldn’t stop in time and jumped the curb before colliding with a building that was under construction.

The taxi driver who said he was cut off was not hurt in the accident, but the other driver had to be taken to a local hospital for treatment.

This accident occurred just nine blocks away from this week’s first taxi cab accident, and both involved taxi drivers hopping up onto curbs. Of course, it is extremely dangerous for motor vehicles of any kind to be on sidewalks, especially in cities like New York.

Both of the accidents suggest that cab drivers in the city are becoming too aggressive and senselessly putting pedestrians in danger. Cab drivers need to be aware that they and their employers can be held liable in personal injury lawsuits for negligently causing pedestrian accidents.

Source: ABC 7, “Taxi chasing fare crashes into Midtown scaffolding,” Aug. 23, 2013