Accidents involving a common carrier

Most Cary residents have been on a bus, in a taxi or on a plane. These transportation options are all considered “common carriers”. But what are common carriers and what duty do they have to their passengers?

A common carrier is an entity whose business is to move people from one location to another for a fee. These can include buses, trains, boats, planes or taxis. If a passenger is injured on one of these vehicles, the company may be liable. Most transportation companies have to follow government regulations when offering their services to the public. They are required to have the highest degree of safety for their passengers. A carrier can be held liable for injuries sustained by a passenger if they failed to follow an established regulation or did not exercise with care and diligence.

If a person is injured on a carrier, there are a number of things they need to prove in order to hold the carrier at fault. First, they need to show that the carrier owed the passenger a duty and that they breached that duty. In addition, the breach of duty then caused the passenger’s injury and if that breach of duty did not occur then the passenger would not have been injured. Finally, the passenger needs to show that they suffered damages in the form of an injury, emotional distress, loss of wages, etc.

If a person believes they were injured on a common carrier as the result of negligence of the carrier, they may want to speak with a legal professional skilled in personal injury. An attorney has the legal expertise necessary to understand what is needed to prove their client’s case. There are many sources of evidence a passenger may use to prove their case. Evidence may include witness reports, expert witness testimony, inspection reports, and videos or pictures. An attorney can gather this evidence and help ensure their client receives the compensation they deserve.

Source: injury.findlaw.com, “What is a common carrier?,” accessed on July 15, 2017

This post was authored by The Law Offices of John M. McCabe, P.A. in Cary, North Carolina ~  Dependable & Aggressive Lawyers Serving All Of North Carolina.   Since 1994, injury victims in the Raleigh area have been able to count on The Law Offices of John M. McCabe, P.A. to pursue the compensation and benefits they deserve in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases.  Whether you were injured in a car accident, on-the-job accident, dog bite, or as a result of a defective product, they will go to bat for the outcome you deserve. To schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney from their firm, please call  919-899-9852 or toll free at 877-320-1851. Their firm has been given the highest ratings for their legal skills and ethics, including being named a Super Lawyer, one of the Best Lawyers in America and one of the top trial lawyers in North Carolina.