Phoenix Transportation Accident Lawyers
Phoenix injury attorneys handling private and public transportation accidents
Were you injured in a common carrier-related incident? From buses and taxicabs to commercial airlines, passenger trains, and cruise ships, these modes of travel can leave you with severe injuries – especially when owners and operators fail to act with a reasonable standard of care. Our experienced Phoenix common carrier accident lawyers have spent years advocating for victims of these events.
We have successfully fought against private transportation companies, as well as the public entities that often manage and operate these transit systems. We are even ready and able to deal with the relatively new legalities of crashes involving Uber or Lyft transportation.
At Plattner Verderame, P.C., we have helped thousands of people in Arizona and across the country obtain justice after being harmed by the negligence of others. This is all we do, and all we have been doing since our firm was founded more than 25 years ago. Talk to us about your common carrier crash and learn more about your legal rights and options.
How can we help?
What are common carriers?
A common carrier is a business or agency that is available to transport goods or people for a fee. Common carriers are required to provide their services to anyone willing to pay, without discrimination.
Common carriers are often regulated by the government to ensure that they provide safe and affordable services. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates airlines, and the Surface Transportation Board (STB) regulates railroads.
Some examples of common carriers include:
- Airlines
- Bus companies
- Railroads
- Shipping companies
- Taxi companies
- Passenger ferries
- Ride-sharing companies (like Uber and Lyft)
Common carriers play an important role in the economy by transporting goods and people efficiently and safely. They also help to connect people and businesses to different parts of the country and the world.
Here are some of the key characteristics of common carriers:
- They offer their services to the general public.
- They are required to provide their services to anyone willing to pay, without discrimination.
- They are regulated by the government to ensure that they provide safe and affordable services.
Common carriers are different from private carriers, which are businesses or agencies that transport goods or people for a select group of customers. Private carriers are not required to offer their services to the general public.
What types of cases does your law firm handle?
Our attorneys handle a variety of accident cases, including:
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- Aviation
- Helicopter Accidents
- Boating Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- Train Accidents
- Tour Bus Accidents
- Uber, Lyft and Ridesharing Claims
Understanding the complexities of common carrier accident cases
All businesses need to make a profit – but profit should never trump safety. Common carriers are required to comply with many regulations designed to protect public safety. However the push for profit leads some carriers to break the rules to improve their bottom lines. When that happens, injury and death become inevitable. Proper investigation of these cases requires investigating the system failures behind the crash, and not just the decisions of the driver or pilot in the moments before the crash. Only in this way can the victims obtain adequate justice and the public be protected from the next crash. You need a lawyer who understands the regulatory complexities and will fight to uncover the underlying causes of your crash.
Some of the kinds of system failures that cause crashes are:
- Owner negligence
- Equipment failure
- Poor maintenance of the carrier
- Inadequate operator training
- Negligent hiring practices
- Injuries resulting from the absence of reasonable safety features
Our skilled Phoenix common carrier injury lawyers have successfully handled a variety of these injury claims. We don’t shy away from the complexities of these matters. Instead, we use our substantial resources to thoroughly investigate the injury-causing incident and build a strong case. We treat every matter like it's headed to trial. We are accomplished litigators who will confidently take your case to court if necessary to secure the compensation your injuries deserve.
Determining liability in common carrier accidents
Most common carriers are governed by regulatory boards that set standards for the maintenance and operation of these transportation methods. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration sets regulations to govern commercial airlines. When an airline fails to meet these established standards, the airline may be held financially responsible for resulting injuries.
Another example is Valley Metro. In providing public transportation to residents of the Phoenix metro area, this organization's bus and light rail services must abide by state and federal transportation guidelines. Since this is a government entity, failure to meet established standards can subject the public Regional Transit Authority to liability for injuries. These claims can prove particularly challenging due to the time limitations on bringing a claim against a government entity. Our knowledgeable Phoenix common carrier injury attorneys know these regulations very well. We guide you through the legal process, but first, you have to call our office before the statute of limitations expires.
How Plattner Verderame, P.C. can help
Our law firm can help after a common carrier accident in several ways, including:
- Investigating the accident. We will gather evidence to determine the cause of the accident and who was responsible. This may involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports, and obtaining expert testimony.
- Filing a claim with the insurance company. Our lawyers will help you file a claim with the common carrier's insurance company. They will also negotiate with the insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve.
- Representing you in court. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our lawyers can represent you in court. We will fight to get you the compensation you need for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Here are some specific examples of how our law firm can help you after a common carrier accident:
- If you were injured on an airplane, our lawyers can investigate the accident to determine if the airline was negligent. For example, if the airline failed to properly maintain the plane or if the pilots were improperly trained, our lawyers may be able to file a lawsuit against the airline.
- If you were injured in a bus accident, our lawyers can investigate the accident to determine if the bus company was negligent. For example, if the bus driver was speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol, our lawyers may be able to file a lawsuit against the bus company.
- If you were injured in a train accident, our lawyers can investigate the accident to determine if the railroad company was negligent. For example, if the railroad company failed to properly maintain the tracks or if the train was overloaded, our lawyers may be able to file a lawsuit against the railroad company.
If you have been injured in a common carrier accident, it is important to contact a law firm as soon as possible. The experienced attorneys at Platter Verderame, P.C. can help you understand your legal rights and options, and can fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Do you have a mass transit accident lawyer near me?
At Plattner Verderame, P.C., we meet clients at our Phoenix office located at 316 E Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85012. We also have a Tempe office located at 5500 S Lakeshore Dr, Tempe, AZ. Our attorneys can make arrangements to meet clients at their homes or a hospital if they are ill or not mobile.
Contact our Phoenix office if you were hurt by a common carrier vehicle
We handle common carrier injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you won’t owe us anything unless we obtain a verdict or settlement on your behalf. If you have been injured in a common carrier accident, call our offices to discuss your claim, or use our contact form. Find out today why other lawyers trust Plattner Verderame, P.C. to handle the most complex personal injury cases.