If you need a Queens taxi accident lawyer, call The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398. A taxi accident in Queens is not like any other car accident. The vehicle that hit you, or that you were riding in, is part of a regulated industry with its own insurance rules, licensing system, and chain of liability. Sorting through that system requires attorneys who know it well. We have been handling taxi accident cases in Queens since 1982. We know how to identify every party responsible for your injuries and how to get you the full compensation you are owed.
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What's in this video?
The Orlow Firm attorneys walk through a real taxi accident case, explaining how they investigated liability, worked through New York's no-fault insurance system, and recovered compensation for an injured client.
Queens is one of the most taxi-dense boroughs in New York City. JFK and LaGuardia airports draw constant cab traffic along the Van Wyck Expressway, Queens Boulevard, and the Belt Parkway. Neighborhoods like Jackson Heights, Flushing, Jamaica, and Corona rely heavily on for-hire vehicles. Tens of thousands of taxi trips are completed in Queens every day.
According to the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission 2024 Annual Report, TLC-licensed vehicles were involved in approximately 9,800 crashes citywide in 2024 — roughly one crash every 53 minutes. Our analysis of NYC Open Data Motor Vehicle Collisions records shows that taxis appear as the primary vehicle in 2,437 Queens crashes between 2019 and 2025.
Three things separate a taxi accident claim from an ordinary car accident claim: who can be held liable, how much insurance is available, and how New York's no-fault system interacts with TLC regulations. A Queens taxi accident lawyer who does not understand the TLC's medallion system cannot effectively represent you. We do.
Adam Moses Orlow, Managing Partner and former President of the Queens County Bar Association (2022-2023), leads our motor vehicle practice alongside Steven S. Orlow, our Founder and former Counsel to the County Executive of Queens County. Their combined experience spans state and federal courts and includes decades of for-hire vehicle litigation in New York.
Who Can Be Liable in a Queens Taxi Accident
Figuring out who is responsible for your injuries is the first step in your case. Unlike a standard car accident involving two drivers, a taxi accident can bring in multiple parties with overlapping legal obligations.
The taxi driver bears direct responsibility for negligent or reckless operation: distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, or fatigue from long hours behind the wheel.
The medallion owner may not be driving the cab at all. Many yellow taxi drivers lease their vehicles from a separate medallion owner. Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 388, vehicle owners are liable for the negligence of drivers who operate their vehicles with permission. The medallion owner can be named in your lawsuit even if they were nowhere near the crash.
The base or dispatching company may share liability if it hired an unqualified driver, failed to supervise its fleet, or let a poorly maintained vehicle stay in service.
A third-party driver may have caused the collision entirely, with the taxi simply being the vehicle you were riding in. Passengers in taxis hit by negligent third parties can pursue claims against that driver directly.
The City of New York can be liable if dangerous road conditions contributed to the crash — a broken signal, an unmarked hazard, a deteriorated intersection. Claims against the City require filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident, which is why calling an attorney quickly matters.
A vehicle manufacturer or maintenance company may be responsible if a mechanical defect caused or worsened the crash: brake failure, tire blowout, steering malfunction.
Identifying each liable party requires investigating TLC licensing records, medallion ownership history, lease agreements, maintenance logs, and accident reports. We start that investigation on day one, and we go after every source of compensation available to you.
New York's No-Fault Law and What It Means for Taxi Passengers
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The Orlow Firm explains how New York's no-fault insurance law works, including the serious injury threshold and the deadlines you need to know to protect your claim.
New York is a no-fault state. If you were hurt as a taxi passenger, you can file for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits through the taxi's insurer regardless of who caused the crash. No proof of fault is required. No-fault covers your medical bills, 80% of your lost wages (up to $2,000 per month), and other necessary expenses, up to a $50,000 ceiling.
Here is where taxi passengers have a real advantage over passengers in ordinary cars. TLC regulations require medallion taxis to carry a minimum of $100,000 in Personal Injury Protection coverage — twice the $50,000 minimum required for private vehicles in New York. That higher floor means more insurance is available to cover your immediate medical expenses.
To get additional compensation beyond no-fault — including pain and suffering, permanent disability, and losses above the $50,000 ceiling — you must meet New York's "serious injury" threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d). That standard is met by a fracture, significant disfigurement, permanent limitation of a body organ or member, significant limitation of a body function, or inability to perform normal daily activities for 90 of the first 180 days after the accident. Knee, shoulder, back, and neck surgeries typically satisfy this requirement.
Pedestrians and cyclists struck by taxis can also access no-fault benefits through the taxi's insurer, even though they were not in the vehicle.
Timing matters. You must notify your insurer in writing within 30 days of the accident and file an NF-2 no-fault application in that same window. Miss these deadlines and you may lose your benefits entirely. Our firm handles the no-fault paperwork for every client so these deadlines are never missed.
Taxi Insurance Requirements in Queens
Most people assume the taxi company carries the same insurance as a private driver. That assumption leads injured people to accept inadequate settlements.
TLC regulations set the following minimum coverage for yellow medallion taxis:
- $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident in bodily injury liability
- $100,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP/no-fault)
- $10,000 in property damage liability
These minimums far exceed what private vehicle owners must carry ($25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability). Beyond those minimums, many taxi companies and medallion owners carry commercial umbrella policies that extend coverage well above the TLC floor. We look at the full insurance picture — TLC filings, medallion owner policies, and any excess coverage — before any settlement discussions begin.
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NYC Taxi Insurance Coverage Comparison
| Coverage Type | TLC Medallion Taxi | Private Vehicle (NY Min.) | Unlicensed Car Service | |---|---|---|---| | Bodily Injury (per person) | $100,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | | Bodily Injury (per accident) | $300,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | | No-Fault PIP | $100,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | | TLC Regulated | Yes | N/A | No |
Taxi passengers receive twice the no-fault coverage of passengers in private vehicles — $100,000 vs. $50,000 PIP minimum.
Source: NYC TLC Vehicle Insurance Requirements · NY Insurance Law
A note on unlicensed "gypsy cabs." In neighborhoods like Jackson Heights, Corona, and Richmond Hill, informal car services operate outside the TLC system. These vehicles carry only the standard New York minimum — $25,000 per person — not the elevated TLC minimums. If you were hurt in an unlicensed vehicle, recovery is harder but not impossible. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may apply, and the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) exists as a last-resort fund for victims of uninsured drivers.
If the taxi's TLC insurance certificate (FH-1) was expired or lapsed at the time of your accident, we will obtain those records and use that fact to strengthen your claim.
Common Causes of Queens Taxi Accidents
Knowing what caused your crash is key to establishing who is legally responsible. Our analysis of NYC Open Data Motor Vehicle Collisions records shows that driver inattention and distraction is the top contributing factor in Queens crashes — cited in more than 26% of all collisions with a listed cause between 2019 and 2025. For taxi drivers, who juggle dispatch communications, navigation apps, and passenger requests while driving through heavy traffic, distraction is an especially common and foreseeable risk.
Other common causes in taxi accident cases include:
Failure to yield — The second most common factor in Queens crashes, accounting for 10% of collisions in our analysis. Intersections are where taxi accidents happen most often, particularly during fare pickups and drop-offs when drivers are scanning for passengers rather than watching traffic.
Driver fatigue — Taxi drivers frequently work shifts exceeding 12 hours. Fatigue impairs reaction time and judgment in ways that mirror intoxication.
Distracted driving using dispatch devices — Tablet-based dispatch systems are required equipment in TLC vehicles. A driver watching a dispatch screen is not watching the road.
Speeding and aggressive lane changes — Taxi drivers face pressure to complete as many fares as possible. That pressure can produce dangerous driving on Queens Boulevard, Northern Boulevard, and the major corridors connecting neighborhoods to the airports.
Vehicle maintenance failures — Medallion owners are responsible for keeping their vehicles in safe condition. Brake wear, tire problems, and steering issues that go unaddressed can turn a minor collision into a serious one.
Our analysis also shows that the Jamaica neighborhood (zip codes 11432-11436) recorded 14,652 motor vehicle crashes and 6,736 injuries in Queens between 2019 and 2025 — the highest of any Queens neighborhood — and Northern Boulevard saw 2,330 crashes over that same period. Both are major taxi corridors, and these numbers match what our firm sees in the cases we handle.
Who We Represent After a Queens Taxi Crash
Our attorneys handle taxi accident cases for every type of person the crash affects:
Taxi passengers who were riding in the cab when it crashed, regardless of whether the taxi driver or another vehicle caused the collision. Passengers have the strongest no-fault claims because they are covered by the taxi's elevated PIP policy.
Pedestrians struck by taxis in crosswalks, on sidewalks, or while crossing Queens' busiest streets. Flushing, Jamaica, and Jackson Heights have some of the highest pedestrian injury rates in the borough.
Cyclists hit by taxi doors or turning cabs — dooring accidents and right-hook collisions are common in areas where taxis stop in or near bicycle lanes.
Other motorists hit by a negligent taxi driver.
Taxi drivers themselves who were hurt when a third party caused the crash. One of our results — a $997,997 recovery — involved a taxi driver hit head-on by a truck who sustained serious back injuries requiring surgery. Taxi drivers have the same rights as any other injured person when another driver is at fault.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What to Do After a Queens Taxi Accident
The steps you take in the hours and days after a taxi accident directly affect the strength of your case:
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Call 911 — A police report creates an official record. Get the MV-104 accident report number before leaving the scene.
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Record the taxi's medallion number — The large yellow number on the hood of every licensed NYC taxi. Photograph it along with the TLC license plate. The medallion number links the vehicle to its owner, its insurance carrier, and its full service history. Without it, finding the right insurance policy is far harder.
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Photograph everything — Vehicle positions, damage to all vehicles, your visible injuries, intersection signage, traffic signals, weather and road conditions. Take photos before vehicles are moved if you are physically able.
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Collect witness information — Bystanders leave a scene quickly. Get names and phone numbers before they do.
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Seek medical attention right away — Even if you feel uninjured. The most common tool insurance companies use to deny serious injury claims in New York is a "gap in treatment" — a delay between the accident and your first medical visit. A same-day medical record cuts off that argument.
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File DMV Form MV-104 within 10 days — Required when a crash results in injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. Failure to file can result in license suspension.
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Notify your insurer and file an NF-2 form within 30 days — In writing. This protects your right to no-fault benefits.
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File a TLC complaint — The TLC accepts complaints against licensed drivers. A complaint creates an administrative record that backs up your civil case and adds accountability that matters in settlement negotiations.
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Do not give recorded statements to any insurance company — Taxi company insurers are skilled at asking questions designed to reduce your claim. Let your attorney handle all communications.
Call The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398. We can come to you at the hospital or at home if you cannot come to us.
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What to Do After a Queens Taxi Accident — 8 Steps
- Call 911 — Get the MV-104 accident report number before leaving the scene.
- Record the medallion number — Photograph the large yellow number on the hood and the TLC license plate.
- Photograph everything — Vehicle positions, damage, injuries, signage, and road conditions.
- Seek medical attention immediately — A same-day medical record prevents insurers from using a "gap in treatment" to deny your claim.
- File DMV Form MV-104 within 10 days — Required for any crash with injury, death, or property damage over $1,000.
- Notify insurer and file NF-2 within 30 days — In writing. Protects your right to no-fault benefits. Missing this deadline can eliminate your benefits.
- Do not give recorded statements — Taxi company insurers use recorded statements to reduce your claim. Let your attorney handle communications.
- Contact The Orlow Firm — Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation. We can come to you.
Statute of limitations: 3 years from accident date (2 years for wrongful death).
Compensation Available to Queens Taxi Accident Victims
Taxi accident victims in Queens can pursue two types of compensation: no-fault benefits and fault-based damages.
No-Fault Benefits (Available Regardless of Fault)
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, physical therapy, prescriptions, and medical equipment
- 80% of lost wages, up to $2,000 per month
- Other reasonable and necessary expenses related to your injury
Fault-Based Damages (Requires Meeting the Serious Injury Threshold)
- Pain and suffering, past and future
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Future medical costs beyond the no-fault ceiling
- Full lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
Wrongful Death Damages
When a taxi accident causes a death, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death damages — funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, loss of parental guidance, and compensation for the conscious pain and suffering the person experienced before dying. Wrongful death claims in New York have a two-year statute of limitations running from the date of death.
Punitive Damages
In cases of extreme recklessness, such as a driver with a documented history of TLC violations who was still allowed to operate, punitive damages may be available to go beyond ordinary negligence awards.
Because medallion taxis carry $100,000 per person in bodily injury liability — four times the $25,000 private vehicle minimum — seriously injured clients have far better access to full compensation than in standard car accident cases.
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Critical Deadlines After a Queens Taxi Accident
- Day 0: Accident occurs
- 10 Days: File DMV Form MV-104 (required for injury, death, or property damage over $1,000)
- 30 Days: Notify insurer in writing and file NF-2 no-fault application
- 90 Days: File Notice of Claim if the City of New York may be liable
- 3 Years: Statute of limitations — file lawsuit by this date (2 years for wrongful death)
Warning: Missing the 30-day no-fault deadline or 90-day Notice of Claim deadline can permanently eliminate your right to compensation.
Our Results in Taxi and Motor Vehicle Cases
$997,997 — Taxi driver struck head-on by a truck; serious back injuries requiring surgery.
$1,200,000 — 83-year-old pedestrian struck by a vehicle; multiple fractures.
$750,000 — Passenger hurt in a for-hire vehicle accident; neck and back surgery required.
$650,000 — Passenger in a commercial vehicle struck by a tractor trailer; hand and shoulder surgery.
$435,000 — Client's vehicle struck in a left-turn collision; ankle and wrist fracture surgeries.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Queens Taxi Accidents
Can I sue a taxi company if I was a passenger?
Yes. As a Queens taxi accident victim who was a passenger, you can sue both the driver and the taxi company or medallion owner. Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 388, vehicle owners are liable for drivers operating their vehicles with permission. The company may also be liable for negligent hiring, inadequate supervision, or failing to maintain the vehicle.
What if the taxi driver was an independent contractor, not an employee?
It does not eliminate liability. Under NY Vehicle and Traffic Law § 388, the vehicle owner is liable for whoever operates it with permission — regardless of the driver's employment status. Even if the driver leased the cab independently, the medallion owner can still be named in your lawsuit.
What if I was partially at fault for the taxi accident?
New York follows pure comparative negligence under CPLR § 1411. Your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, but you are not barred from collecting anything. If a jury finds you 20% responsible and awards $500,000, you receive $400,000. Partial fault does not end your right to compensation.
What if the taxi had no insurance or the policy had lapsed?
We pull the taxi's TLC records to confirm insurance status. If the vehicle was uninsured, the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) provides a recovery fund for injured victims in New York. Your own uninsured motorist coverage may also apply. An uninsured taxi is a TLC violation that can further support your claim.
How long does a Queens taxi accident case take?
No-fault benefits typically begin within 30 days of filing. Settlement negotiations often wrap up within six to eighteen months, depending on injury severity and the number of parties. Cases that go to trial in Queens County Supreme Court typically take two to four years. We will give you a realistic timeline once we review your case.
What if I was hurt in an unlicensed car service?
Unlicensed for-hire vehicles, sometimes called "gypsy cabs," carry only the standard New York minimum liability coverage ($25,000 per person), not the TLC's higher minimums. Recovery is harder, but your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may fill the gap. We have handled these claims and will find every available source of recovery.
Contact a Queens Taxi Accident Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love was hurt in a taxi accident in Queens — as a passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or another driver — The Orlow Firm is ready to help. Our Queens office at 71-18 Main Street has served injured clients in Flushing, Jamaica, Jackson Heights, Astoria, Corona, and throughout the borough since 1982. We know the local courts, the TLC's insurance requirements, and how to go after full compensation from every responsible party.
Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation. We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win. If you cannot come to us, we will come to you.
Se Habla Español | Four NYC office locations | Walk-ins welcome at our Queens office
What's in this video?
The Orlow Firm explains the legal steps injured passengers should take after a rideshare or for-hire vehicle accident in New York, including how insurance coverage and liability work.
What's in this video?
The Orlow Firm's Queens attorneys discuss how they help injured accident victims throughout the borough recover the compensation they deserve.
Sources & Official Resources
New York Laws Cited
- NY Vehicle and Traffic Law § 388 — Negligence in Use or Operation of Vehicle Attributable to Owner
- NY Insurance Law § 5102(d) — Serious Injury Definition
- CPLR § 1411 — Damages Recoverable When Contributory Negligence Is Established
- NY Estates, Powers and Trusts Law § 5-4.1 — Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations
NYC Regulations Cited
- NYC TLC Vehicle Insurance Requirements
- NYC TLC Vehicle Insurance Requirements (PDF)
- NYC TLC PIP Rule Amendment — Local Law 90 of 2025 (adopted September 17, 2025, effective March 1, 2026)
Statistics Sources
- NYC Open Data — Motor Vehicle Collisions (Crashes)
- NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission 2024 Annual Report
- TLC Vehicles Involved in Crashes (Local Law 31)
Helpful Resources
- NY DMV — File a Motorist Crash Report (MV-104)
- NY DMV — Insurance Requirements
- NY Department of Financial Services — Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements
Data Methodology
Borough and neighborhood breakdowns were calculated by The Orlow Firm's research team from publicly available NYC Open Data Motor Vehicle Collisions records. The NYC Open Data crash dataset (NYC Open Data, 2019-2025) is published at the individual crash level with borough, zip code, vehicle type, and contributing factor fields. We aggregated these records to produce the Queens-specific statistics cited above — including taxi vehicle type counts, neighborhood crash totals, and contributing factor percentages — as city agencies do not publish pre-calculated borough-level breakdowns for all metrics.
