$1+ Billion Recovered

Common Carrier Accidents

5/5

With deep expertise in personal injury law, we at Dolan Law Firm are committed to obtaining justice and compensation for our clients who have been affected by negligence. We offer compassionate, individualized attention at every step of the legal process. Get in touch with us today for exceptional legal representation.

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Settlement Records

$16M

Pedestrian Accident

$5M

Bicyclist Accident

$6M

Car Accident

$6.5M

Motorcyclist Accident

SUMMARY

Hundreds of people are seriously injured each year either by or on public transportation, also known as “common carriers.” Common carriers are individuals or organizations that charge to carry passengers or systems or equipment that carries passengers as part of a business operation open to the public. The following are recognized as common carriers:

  • Planes
  • Elevators and escalators
  • Ski lifts
  • Movable walkways
  • Mule trains (in the Grand Canyon, for instance)
  • Amusement park rides (under review by the California Supreme Court)
  • Van pools
  • Stagecoaches
  • Jitneys

Injured on an Elevator, Escalator or  Movable Walkway?

Property owners that use escalators, elevators and movable walkways to transport customers are responsible for injuries caused by any malfunction in their equipment. The Dolan Law Firm has represented dozens of people who have been injured when escalators suddenly stop, causing falls or fingers and feet to be caught, cut and/or amputated; when elevator doors close forcefully, stop inches short of a landing, or drop suddenly; and when movable walkways malfunction. We are familiar with the design and operation of these devices and have experts available to assess the equipment and determine the cause of the malfunction. Many times the cause is a defective part, improper maintenance and/or adjustment of the equipment. We have achieved significant results for clients who have suffered broken bones, lacerations, amputated fingers and toes and other serious injuries. If you have been injured on one of these devices, contact us immediately.

These common carriers are required by law to use the highest degree of care and vigilance to ensure the safety of their passengers. They also are required under the law to provide vehicles that are safe and fit to transport passengers. This is a much higher duty than that required of a normal motorist, who is required only to use “reasonable care.”

Proven Results For Common Carrier Injury Victims

The attorneys of the Dolan Law Firm have handled hundreds of cases for people injured on elevators, escalators, movable walkways, airplanes, Muni, BART, SamTrans, Golden Gate Transit, Ferry Services, Yellow Cabs, Luxor Cabs, DeSoto Cabs and countless other common carriers. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis; if we do not recover an award for you, you owe us nothing.

In one case, Christopher Dolan helped secure a $113,000 jury verdict for an injured Muni bus passenger who slipped and fell on a plastic bag that had not been cleaned away.

Common carriers have a heightened responsibility to:

  • Provide extra help and seating for elderly and disabled passengers
  • Provide a seat for every passenger (except on municipal buses)
  • Not overcrowd vehicles
  • Keep equipment in excellent working condition
  • Keep equipment free from debris
  • Not damage baggage
  • Not start and stop suddenly or drive erratically
  • Discharge passengers in a place of safety and at their destination
  • Keep regular schedules
  • Protect passengers from violence by other passengers

Speak To An Injury Attorney Today

Someone involved in an accident on or hurt by a common carrier has the right to recover damages for injuries. The Dolan Law Firm has recovered millions for their clients injured by and/or on taxis, buses, trains and airplanes. The owners of these services must be held accountable when their for-profit services cause injury through an act of negligence. Contact our lawyers online or call  415-636-8160 for a free evaluation of your claim.

BECAUSE MANY COMMON CARRIERS ARE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, THERE ARE VERY LIMITED TIME FRAMES FOR FILING A CLAIM.


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Frequently Asked Questions

Individual, attentive legal representation by highly experienced crash and accident attorneys with an outstanding record of success;
Substantial investigative, financial and technological resources that no individual attorney or small law firm can provide.

Individual, attentive legal representation by highly experienced crash and accident attorneys with an outstanding record of success;
Substantial investigative, financial and technological resources that no individual attorney or small law firm can provide.

Individual, attentive legal representation by highly experienced crash and accident attorneys with an outstanding record of success;
Substantial investigative, financial and technological resources that no individual attorney or small law firm can provide.

Individual, attentive legal representation by highly experienced crash and accident attorneys with an outstanding record of success;
Substantial investigative, financial and technological resources that no individual attorney or small law firm can provide.

SUMMARY

Vehicle Accident Resources

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How it works

Intake meeting with our case managers

Evidence gathering with our legal teams

Pre-litigation settlement efforts

Litigation

Resolution or trial/arbitration

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