Imagine you own a taxi cab business - XYZ Taxi. One evening, Megan William stood outside her downtown hotel, hailing a cab. The driver of an XYZ Taxi, Saint Patrick, came to a screeching halt at the curb. Ms. Smith opened the rear door of the taxi and began to climb inside. As she climbed inside, Ms. Williams placed her right hand on the roof of the car where the top of the door would close. Suddenly, the cab driver accelerated, causing the rear door to slam shut onto Ms. William's hand. Ms. William suffered broken bones in her right hand and wrist. She also suffered a neck injury as she was thrown against the back seat when the taxi lurched forward. Saint Patrick later explained that he accelerated suddenly to avoid being struck by a shuttle bus, which he thought was about to collide with the taxi when he saw it approaching very rapidly in his rearview mirror.
In 1,400 or less, include the following:
- Identify some of the potential torts that might arise from this business context.
- Explain whether or not the driver for the company, Saint Patrick, is liable for any of the injuries Ms. William suffered.
- Explain whether or not the company, XYZ Taxi, is liable for any of the injuries Ms. William suffered.
- Discuss ways to prevent or mitigate the risk of the potential torts.