What became of the poor cab driver that had to go to the hospital? He was responsible for providing safe, affordable and courteous transportation to his passenger. Through no fault of his own he was crashed into and injured. His passenger admitted that she left herself unprotected by failing to buckle up, then after being injured by bouncing off the front seat she claims that she's been wronged by Yellow Cab because they carry no uninsured motorist insurance. And it's characterized in this article as a loop-hole.

This paragraph is what smells about this story:
[ Graves, who worked in catering in Florida, had no insurance. The other driver took off. And Graves ended up falling through a taxicab insurance coverage loophole. ]

She chose not to have insurance to cover her injury. Yellow Cab didn't have uninsured motorist coverage. How is that a loop hole? No motorists in Nevada are required to have uninsured or under-insured coverage.

She can't work because she broke one finger in her left hand 10 weeks ago?

She's looking for charity in this case. Lady, Hellen Keller did a lot more with a lot less than you have.

Comments that Yellow Cab should step up to the plate because they have the money simply defies reason. The fact is cab companies have few choices for insuring their fleets. They can self insure, if they can afford it, or buy coverage from the one or two companies that will even insure cab companies here. And those companies don't offer uninsured, under-insured, medical expense coverages or personal injury protection.

One of the benefits of having a couple of insurance companies that cover cab companies here, is if a driver is fired for his driving record, or having a chargeable accident then he can't get hired on at another cab company that is insured by the same insurance company.

The writer of this article could have done a little more research and learned these things. But then again it would have short-circuited another 'I been done wrong by the taxi industry story' by the Sun and their buddies at the RJ.

You're right a taxicab driver can't turn down a ride unless they feel in danger by a drunk or disorderly person. Disorderly people can be unpredictable and dangerous. Drunk people, even though it seems like the we are obligated to transport them, are more likely to get sick in our cabs or pass out on a long trip. Bodily fluids (vomit) can be deadly. I've never turned down a ride because it's too long, but I have driven away when the passenger looks too drunk or angry.

Here's how to get a ride to the suburbs. Stand in a cab line, tell the doorman if he asks your destination that you'll tell the driver, have your cell phone ready with the Taxicab Authority number 668-4005 dialed in, greet the driver, stay calm, when the driver pulls away tell them the destination, (hint: if it's a street address, be prepared with written directions). Now, if he stops and refuses for any other reason than he's at the end of his shift (which is possible if it's around 1:30AM/PM to 3:30AM/PM), then peer over the seat and say while holding your cell phone in the driver's view, is the red number your TA number? If the driver says it's the end of his shift, do not get out until he gets another driver to agree to take you. Say, alright, I understand, get me another cab. I'll be right here. The driver's TA number is the red number on the upper right corner of the drivers TA Permit displayed on the front right side of the dash. You can call the TA to tell the dispatcher that you're in the backseat of a taxicab driver TA number XXXXXX who refuses to transport you home. Say your location and the driver's TA number. It may be a quiet and tense ride home. Shake it off. Be assured the driver will. We're practically numb to the abuse we face every night regardless of whether we're honest of not.

I believe the real problem and the real story here is the sad reality that the Taxicab Authority has no Suburban Medallion program. We have 2 million people in Clark County now and the three companies that have the south, west and north as their restricted areas and are just too small to think about serving any more passengers than they can find easily from a yellow page ad and some patience at the nearest casino.

If you want voice your opinion in an open Blog go to taxibuzz.com and find Suburban Program under Medallion Allocations. Click Blog to comment.