Struck by Taxi in NYC

[gwd]

A friend's son got hit badly by a taxi in NYC. He had just started college there, now he's in intensive care. Any advice on dealing with the NYC police?

For some reason the doctor told the mom she needed to talk to the police and get an attorney. This seems like a bad sign when a doctor is saying you need a lawyer. Many doctors hate lawyers. Since the son couldn't stick up for himself at the scene I'm sure when the taxi driver talked to the cops he or she tried to paint the scene as the pedestrian's fault. So, New Yorkers.. do the cops there try to get to the bottom of things or do they just take car driver's word for what happened? Last time I spent any time in the city around 2000 or so there was a big anti-bike anti-pedestrian thing going on. What should the family be trying to do? What bases should they cover? One witness said the guy flew 12 feet in the air so the taxi must have been close to being up to speed.

[shishi]

I would cross post this in SS fixed gear forum, plenty of NYC riders there. Also, maybe contact TA www.transalt.org/

Hope this helps.

[timmhaan]

i would recommend talking to a lawyer as well. the police will likely cover their bases - meaning they'll take down a few details in a police report and hopefully get a witnesses statement as well - but not much more than that. as i've found out - NYC cab insurance companies are tough to deal with and won't do anything until poked and prodded. as a victim, he'll be the one who has to do all the leg work. having a lawyer is a good idea in this case.

[gwd]

i would recommend talking to a lawyer as well. the police will likely cover their bases - meaning they'll take down a few details in a police report and hopefully get a witnesses statement as well - but not much more than that. as i've found out - NYC cab insurance companies are tough to deal with and won't do anything until poked and prodded. as a victim, he'll be the one who has to do all the leg work. having a lawyer is a good idea in this case.
Your post reads like you've had experience with NYC cab insurance companies, can you share it?

[timmhaan]

Your post reads like you've had experience with NYC cab insurance companies, can you share it?

sure. i got in an accident with a cab in august. went to the hospital, but healed up okay on my own. the insurance was a bear to work with and actually my claim is still open (7 months now) because i'm trying to get a fair offer from them. anyway - this thread has a little more information, if you care to read.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=150484

it should give you a little insight of how it all works. from talking to others as well, i've learned it's pretty common to have to do battle to get what you deserve. i hope the kid is alright.