Right now, there are laws that prevent livery cabs (non yellow medallion cabs) from picking up customers off the street. Cabs that do so are considered to be “gypsy cabs” and are unregulated. Many don’t have meters so customers may not be charged fair rates. Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to change this.
Mayor Bloomberg is pushing for Governor Cuomo to sign a bill that would regulate these livery cabs when they pick up street fares into law.
The law would hopefully provide better protection for those injured as a result of the negligence of the owner and/or driver of one of these cabs since such a bill would require these cars to provide at least $100,000 of liability insurance like yellow taxes and “black cars” which already are required to do so. Livery cabs would also be required to be better maintained.
As a result of the new law, the number injuries that occur as a result of either poorly maintained cabs or improperly trained drivers should decrease. But if a serious injury should occur, at least personal injury settlements will be better since the mandatory minimum insurance limits would be raised.
If you have suffered an injury as a result of a an accident involving a livery or “gypsy cab,” yellow taxi or “black car,” you should contact a personal injury attorney.