Do taxi and limousine companies owe a higher duty of care to their passengers in Florida?

Yes. Under Florida common law, traditional taxi services, limousines, and commercial shuttles are classified as common carriers. Common carriers owe their passengers the highest degree of care, diligence, and foresight for their safety while in transit, rather than just ordinary reasonable care. If a taxi or limo driver causes a crash due to speeding, fatigue, distraction, or failure to properly maintain vehicle brakes or tires, the driver and transportation company can be held liable for resulting damages. Jeffrey S. Altman evaluates whether commercial carriers violated these stringent legal standards in Miami-Dade accident claims.