Taxi Accident Claims: Compensation for Injuries Involving Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles

Taxi accident claims arise where drivers, passengers, or other road users suffer injury in an accident involving a taxi or private hire vehicle. These claims may involve crashes caused by taxi drivers or other motorists, pedestrians or cyclists being struck, and incidents such as sudden braking or erratic driving that lead to passenger injury.

This guide explains who may be responsible for a taxi accident and how compensation claims are assessed in practice. It focuses in particular on passenger injury claims, as passengers are rarely at fault for an accident. The guide also covers how claims are made against a taxi driver’s insurer, another motorist’s insurance, or through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau in cases involving uninsured or hit and run drivers.

In addition, the guide explains how taxi drivers may claim for lost income and vehicle‑related losses, together with the steps to take following an accident.

Free specialist solicitor support is available to help you understand your options before making a claim.

What is a Taxi Accident Claim?

A taxi accident claim is a claim for compensation where you have been injured in a road traffic accident involving a taxi, cab, or private hire vehicle. Claims can be brought by taxi drivers, passengers, other motorists, their passengers, and vulnerable road users such as pedestrians.

The key issue is liability. You must show that another road user, such as the taxi driver or a third party, was at fault for your injury. If fault is established, a claim can usually be made.

Compensation includes a payment for the pain and suffering caused by your injury, together with financial losses. These losses may include lost income, medical treatment costs, and other related expenses.

Different Types of Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles in the UK

Taxis are known by many different names depending on the type of taxi licence and size of the vehicle. Some examples include:

Taxi, Taxi Cab and Hackney Carriage

A taxi is a vehicle which carries a hackney licence.

The term “hackney” comes from a French word meaning “strong horse for hire” and is nothing to do with Hackney in London. The term hackney dates back to when horse drawn vehicles were the mode of transport for hire.

Taxis, or hackney carriages, are licensed by many metropolitan and local authorities.

Some stipulate that a purpose-built vehicle must be used (for example the a traditional “London cab” or ‘black cab’), whilst others may licence any vehicle they deem suitable.

A black taxi has a light on the top of the cab – when the light is on the taxi is empty and can be hailed from the road side

Taxis may carry up to eight passengers if so constructed – typically London black cabs carry five or six.

Taxis may be hailed off the street, hired from a rank, or pre-booked.

The term “cab” comes from a taxi vehicle called a Unic, used in London pre World War 2. These vehicles were Cabriolet’s and became known as cab’s. The name stuck.

Accidents in a taxi cab are the most common type of taxi accidents on the UK roads.

Minicabs and Private Hire Vehicles

Private hire vehicles are commonly known as mini-cabs, which are technically neither classed as taxis or cabs.

Private hire vehicles (PHVs) must be pre-booked through an office and cannot be hailed off the street nor pick up passengers at taxi ranks.

Failure to do so could lead to a cab driver’s motor insurance being invalid in the event of an accident.

Mini cabs can carry up to eight passengers, if constructed to do so.

App-Based Private Hire Vehicles (e.g. Uber and Bolt)

Both Uber and Bolt vehicles are classed as Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs).

However, while people colloquially refer to them as taxis, there are strict legal distinctions in the UK between a taxi and an Uber or Bolt vehicle

Unlike traditional hackney carriages (black cabs) that can be flagged down on the street, Uber and Bolt vehicles must be pre-booked in advance through their respective app. Because of this, both the vehicle and the driver must hold valid Private Hire licences. Licences are issued by a local licensing authority (such as your local council or Transport for London).

Common Types of Taxi Accident

Some of the most common types of road traffic accident in a taxi, include:

Taxi Collision Caused by Another Driver

If you are a driver or passenger in a taxi when the cab is hit by another vehicle and the accident was the fault of the other vehicle driver – you are entitled to claim compensation for any injuries caused and any financial loss incurred, including vehicle damage and lost income.

Taxi Collision Caused by the Taxi Driver

If you are a passenger in a taxi, which is involved in a RTA caused from a driving error by your cab driver – you and any other taxi passengers are entitled to claim compensation from your taxi driver and in turn his motor insurer.

The taxi driver – cannot claim for his own injuries, but if he has comprehensive motor insurance he would be entitled to have his taxi car repaired or replaced by his own insurance company.

Passenger Injury Where a Seat Belt Was Not Used

Passengers in a taxi are entitled to claim compensation from whoever caused the road traffic accident – as a passenger is not in control of a vehicle the RTA can’t be considered a passenger’s fault.

If you are travelling as a taxi passenger you should take care of your own safety by ensuring a seat belt is properly secured. If a taxi crash occurs when you are not wearing a seat belt you are still entitled to claim compensation, but the amount of compensation you receive can be reduced by a percentage for what is known as contributory negligence. The maximum deduction for contributory negligence from failure to wear a seatbelt is in the region of 25%.

Passenger Injury Caused by Sudden Braking or a Taxi Skid

A taxi may skid on ice or due to a sudden need for the driver to brake. This can be classed as a driver error. Therefore – injured passengers should be entitled to compensation from the taxi driver for any injuries. For example – whiplash, head injuries, etc.Hit and Run Taxi Accident

Taxi Hit by Vehicle That Fails to Stop

If a taxi is hit by a vehicle, which does not stop – this is known as a hit and run or an untraced driver RTA. If the vehicle registration was not obtained – compensation can still be claimed by the taxi driver and the passengers from the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB).

Passenger Injury Caused by Erratic Driving

Taxi drivers must ensure passengers are not injured by erratic driving – should injury occur by unsafe driving the taxi driver can be held legally responsible for injury.

Injuries to Pedestrians and Vulnerable Road Users

Pedestrians and other road users (such as cyclists, horse riders, etc.) are classed as vulnerable road users. Should a vulnerable road user be injured by a taxi – then a claim can be made against teh taxi driver and taxi insurer.

For example – consider a pedestrian using a zebra crossing that is hit be a taxi who is distracted by his passengers or when using a mobile phone.

Can Taxi Drivers Claim Lost Income and Replacement Vehicle Costs?

Yes – so long as the accident was caused by the fault of another driver.

Your solicitor will need access to your books and accountant’s reports (if you are a self employed taxi driver) to prove how much income you typically earn.

Alternatively – if your cab is off the road whilst being repaired you might be able to claim the cost of the rental of an alternate taxi, so you can continue earning an income.

What to Do After a Taxi Accident

As either a passenger or a driver injured in a taxi – you should contact a specialist solicitor as soon as possible.

Taxi Accident Q&As

Select the taxi accident question of interest – to see our full detailed answer.

Can My Daughter And I Claim Compensation As Passengers In A Taxi That Was Hit By A Drunk Driver?

Free Legal Help

We offer a free specialist solicitor legal consultation by phone or online. You can call direct to a solicitor to ask a question or discuss your accident circumstances. We also have an online help facility.

Summary – Taxi Accident Claims

In summary, taxi accident claims depend on who is responsible for the accident. Passengers are rarely at fault, so claims are usually brought against a taxi driver or another motorist. Motor insurance will pay your compensation or, where no insurance is present, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau will pay.

However, taxi drivers may also claim. They can recover compensation for their injuries, lost income, and vehicle repair or replacement costs. The key takeaway is that liability and insurance determine how both passenger and driver claims are handled in practice.