{"id":353539,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:01","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/what-is-a-common-carrier.html"},"modified":"2023-08-18T15:44:42","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T20:44:42","slug":"what-is-a-common-carrier","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/what-is-a-common-carrier.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Common Carrier?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is a Common Carrier?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Danielle Gilmore, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

A common carrier is a service that serves the general public. The common carrier status of a company, such as an airline, can affect its liability for personal injury claims.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When traveling on a bus, riding in a taxicab, or flying on a commercial airplane, you are on a common carrier. A carrier may be liable for their passengers’ injuries and, if so, must pay medical bills. But they are liable\u00a0only\u00a0<\/i>if the plaintiff can prove negligence.<\/p>\n

This article covers common carrier liability and the importance of evidence in common carrier cases. For more specific legal advice, contact a personal injury lawyer<\/a> who has experience in travel and transportation injury cases.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Examples of Common Carriers<\/h2>\n

A common carrier is a business or agency that provides public transportation. A common carrier<\/a>\u00a0may also transport goods or messages. The carrier can be public or private. For example, a bus company like Greyhound holds itself out to the general public. But a tech company’s shuttle is private only for employees.<\/p>\n

Under personal injury law, there are many common carriers. Some examples include:<\/p>\n