How to Stay Safe in Taxis in New York

While it may be a daily occurrence for regular New Yorkers’, getting in a taxi can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you are not used to it. In order to stay safe, here are some tips from a Queens taxi injury attorney, you should keep in mind:

1. Ask about the Price and Tipping Expectations

Knowing the price ahead of time will ensure that you have enough money to pay and do not come up short. You can ask the taxi driver ahead of time how much the ride should cost and about tipping expectations if need be. You can also ask the workers at the venue you are at to get a better idea of what to expect.

2. Sit in the Backseat

Sitting in the backseat makes you less visible to passersby and to the driver. This can help you stay safe if there are any thieves around looking for people to steal from. It is also often proper etiquette to sit in the backseat of the taxi as opposed to the passenger seat.

The back seats are also safer than the passenger seat. If you do get into an accident and sustain injuries near Queens, New York, you should contact a Queens taxi injury attorney.

3. Call for the Taxi Over the Phone: Reason from Queens Taxi Injury Attorney

Calling over the phone allows you to make sure that you get in the right taxi and that they are from a legit taxi service. Some people will pretend to be a taxi service in order to steal from you, so make sure that you get into a legitimate taxi.

4. Don’t Ride in a Taxi Alone When Drunk…

When you are drunk, you are seen as an easier target and are more vulnerable to attacks. Your reflexes are down and you are not thinking straight. If you need to get home safe after a night of drinking, travel with a friend if you can and stick together. However, if you are injured due to a drunk uber driver or another public transportation driver, we can help.

5. Hide Expensive Items Warns Queens Taxi Injury Attorney

If your taxi driver has nefarious plans, they are going to look for someone who has expensive items in their possession. It is a good idea not to flaunt your money, so make sure to hide your expensive items such as watches, wallets, and mobile devices other than your phone.

People outside of the taxi might also be looking in to see if you have anything worthwhile that they can take. This leads us to our next tip.

6. Ride with the Windows Closed or Nearly Closed

When you stop at a stop sign or a traffic light, it is easier for thieves to walk by and grab your possessions from you. This is why you should try to keep your windows shut so that no one can reach in and take things from you when you don’t expect them. Make sure your door is locked and don’t make it easy for criminals to steal your things.

7. Know Where You’re Going

Having knowledge of where you are going and how to get there will help you ensure that your taxi driver is taking you to your destination. To help, you can use your navigation system on your phone to make sure they are taking the correct route and going in the direction of your destination.

If a dangerous situation does occur and you sustain injuries while in a taxi, call a Queens taxi injury attorney as soon as possible.

8. Know the Currency

This is important if you are in another country and using a taxi service. You should ask about the currency that the drive accepts so that you know that you can pay them correctly for their services. You don’t want to find yourself in an awkward situation where you don’t have the correct money for them once you arrive.

9. Have an Emergency Contact Ready

If you sense that you are in danger, whether the driver is taking you to a place that is not your destination, you feel that the driver is not legit, or any other warning signs, it is important that you have someone who you can call in case things seem off. You may also want to have someone at the ready in case you get into a car accident. If you endure injuries while in a taxi and are in the Queens area, you may want to contact a Queens taxi injury attorney.

If you were injured in a taxi, rideshare, or public transportation in New York and are in need of an experienced personal injury attorney, contact Shaevitz & Shaevitz. We are a professional group of New York injury attorneys that have over 65 years of experience. We don’t require any fees unless we recover compensation for you. Schedule your free consultation today and let our experience work for you.

Follow us on Facebook for daily updates!