Cabdriver in Fatal Auto-Pedestrian Crash Has Checkered Past

On Monday morning, a Checker taxi lost control, skidded onto the sidewalk, and struck a man who was walking before slamming into the side of a parking garage. The pedestrian was killed, and the female passenger in the cab was severely injured. The dead man had just started a new job at a restaurant at Navy Pier.

According to witnesses, the cab was driving recklessly and speedily down Illinois Street prior to the wreck. The cabdriver was cited by police for failing to exercise due care for a pedestrian in the roadway and driving too fast for conditions.

Now we have learned that the 71-year old cabdriver had a driving record that was anything but clean. In fact, the cabbie has amassed a total of around 30 traffic tickets in the past 23 years. Furthermore, he had previously been involved in an accident back in August of 2007 in which a pedestrian was hurt. Incredibly, the cabdriver has never had his license suspended. That's because about half of the tickets were dismissed, and most of the others carried fines of less than $50 and/or sentences of supervision.

Even so, it might be difficult for Checker Taxi to claim that it wasn't aware of the cabdriver's lengthy history of traffic tickets. That detail could have a huge impact in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family members of the deceased pedestrian (as well as the personal injury lawsuit filed by the woman who was hurt). The defendants appear to be entitled to compensation for medical and burial expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If you have been injured in a crash caused by a taxi cabdriver, be sure to contact a qualified auto accident attorney as soon as you are able to do so.