Airlines, railroads or trucking companies that furnish transportation to any member of the public seeking their offered services are known as

• A. Common carriers
• B. Statute
• C. Proximate cause
• D. Substantial factor rule

Answer: (A)

Common carriers are businesses that hold themselves out to the public to transport people or goods for hire. Because they publicly offer service to any willing customer, they owe a higher duty of care to passengers and cargo and must serve the public without discrimination, subject to regulatory rules. This definition fits airlines, railroads, and trucking companies that provide transportation services to the public.

Statute refers to a law enacted by a government, not the type of service provider. Proximate cause is a causation concept linking negligence to injury, and the substantial factor rule is a test used to determine causation when multiple causes are involved.