If you have ever spent time on a ridesharing service (Uber, Lyft), bus, taxi, commercial airplane, passenger train, or cruise ship, you have been on a common carrier. In the United States, a common carrier (or simply “carrier”) is an entity whose business transports people or goods from one place to another for a fee. Even amusement parks may be considered common carriers in some states, such as California. Carriers may be held liable for the injuries of passengers, but only if the plaintiff can prove negligence.
Carriers, such as Uber, Lyft, Yellowcab offer their services to the public under the authority of a regulatory body, which sets standards for safety and other passenger concerns. Commercial airlines, for example, must adhere to the regulations set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Regulations or not, carriers are required to exercise the highest degree of care and diligence in the safety of their passengers and/or cargo.
The failure to warn passengers about a potentially dangerous condition also can expose carriers to legal action. For example, an airline may be held liable for a passenger’s injuries if the pilot failed to turn on the fasten seatbelt sign after noticing heavy turbulence. But liability for failure to warn comes down to the question of whether a reasonably careful operator would have known or should have known about the dangerous condition.
Therefore, a carrier can be sued for injuries for either failing to adhere to a particular regulation (if it was the cause of the injury) or failing to exercise the care and diligence that would be expected of a reasonably careful operator.
Injured on a Common Carrier? Get Help Today
Accidents on common carriers are relatively uncommon, but can happen to anyone at any time. These types of claims range from a foodborne illness aboard a cruise ship to wrongful death associated with an Uber crash. At The Pinkerton Law Firm, PLLC, we are Houston personal injury attorneys experience dealing with carriers such as Yellow Cab. Have a personal injury lawyer specializing in common carrier claims review your situation at absolutely no charge. Call us today at (713) 360-6722 for a free consultation.
