Skilled Phoenix Wrongful Death Attorneys Handling Fatal Common Carrier Accident Cases
Fighting to secure compensation for surviving Arizona families
Common carriers provide transportation for thousands of Arizona residents each day. Whether you are jumping on the Valley Metro bus for a quick ride to the store or boarding a passenger train for a day trip across the state, these modes of transportation fall under the classification of a common carrier. While most people make it to their destinations safely, these trips can also have tragic endings. When common carrier accidents cause fatalities, surviving families are forced to put back the pieces of their lives without their loved one, who may even be the primary income earner.
The experienced Phoenix wrongful death attorneys of Plattner Verderame, P.C. speak up for families who have been impacted by fatal accidents involving common carriers. Our dedicated attorneys provide honest representation for the innocent victims of someone else's negligence. Whether the carrier is owned by a private company or a government entity, we have the skill and resources to fight for compensation in the conference room or the courtroom.
What is a common carrier?
Common carrier businesses transport people from one location to another. We have seen a variety of fatal common carrier accident cases, including those involving:
- Taxicabs, like Yellow Cab or Elite
- Tour buses, such as Tour West America or Arizona Corporate Coach
- Valley Metro buses
- Valley Metro light rail systems
- Trains, such as Amtrak and Valley Metro
- Cruise ships, like Desert Belle and the Dolly Steamboat
- Commercial airplanes coming out of Deer Valley, Goodyear or Sky Harbor International
When people board these carriers, they do so with the expectation that they will arrive at their destination safely and without incident. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Any of these carriers can be involved in a serious accident, causing the death of one or more passengers. Some of the most common causes of these deadly common carrier incidents include operator error, inadequate maintenance or defective parts within the carrier vehicle.
Federal and state offices regulate each of these industries, maintaining requirements for proper inspection and upkeep. For example, the Arizona Department of Transportation requires taxicab owners to provide detailed records of vehicle maintenance for inspection by agency representatives. The Federal Aviation Administration regulates commercial flights, while the cruise ship industry is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, along with several other entities. When carrier owners and operators fail to abide by these regulations, they place their passengers at an increased risk of injury and death.
Who is at fault in a fatal common carrier accident?
When common carrier accidents occur, it can prove challenging to accurately identify the precise cause and all responsible parties. The carrier owner or operator may try to hide valuable evidence from the family. In accidents involving plane crashes or water vessels, access to the accident scene is often limited.
Our skilled Phoenix fatal common carrier accident lawyers have the resources to effectively work around these potential impediments. We strive to ensure the accuracy of every matter we bring, so our lawyers work hard to uncover the honest facts. A common carrier fatality may involve several liable parties, including:
- The operator of the carrier
- The employer of the operator
- The owner of the carrier
- Parties who have performed maintenance on the carrier
- The designer of the common carrier
- Manufacturers of parts on the carrier
- Third parties
When you work with our firm, you can rest assured that our lawyers are diligently investigating the cause of your loved one's death. Once we have identified the responsible party or parties, we craft a wrongful death claim that effectively demonstrates the pain and suffering experienced by your family.
Our lawyers have earned distinctions held by less than two percent of all Arizona attorneys. Richard Plattner, Frank Verderame and Randy Hinsch have each been certified by the Arizona State Bar as Specialists in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation. Nick Verderame, our fourth attorney, is diligently working toward his certification as he earnestly fights for families affected by the wrongful death of a loved one.
Types of Cases We Handle
Our attorneys handle a variety of cases, including:
Contact our Phoenix common carrier accident lawyers after a wrongful death
The death of a loved one is always hard, but it is even more difficult to comprehend when caused by the negligent actions of another. At Plattner Verderame, P.C., our experienced Phoenix common carrier fatality lawyers believe that all responsible parties should be held accountable. That's why we dedicate ourselves to providing every client with high-quality representation. Call us today at 602-266-2002, or complete our contact form. We handle all cases on a contingency-fee basis.