If you lost a family member in a commercial plane accident, you must ensure you receive all the compensation your family deserves.
Commercial Plane Accidents Take Lives Every Year
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Plane accidents are almost always catastrophic, and hundreds of passengers lose their lives and even more suffer serious injury every year because something goes wrong on an airliner. Though 2017 was touted as one of the safest years on record for airline travel, statistical data shows that 10 fatal airliner accidents occurred in 2017, resulting in the deaths of 44 people. Of those accidents, two occurred during the initial climb after takeoff, three occurred en route, three more occurred during the approach and two during landings.
Common Reasons for Airliner Accidents
Weather can cause aviation accidents, but according to the Federal Aviation Administration, most fatal plane accidents involve:
- Controlled Flight into Terrain
- Fuel Related
- Loss of Inflight Control
- Low-Altitude Operations
- Midair Collisions Low
- System Component Failure – Non-Powerplant
- System Component Failure – Powerplant
- Unintended Flight In IMC
As you can see, passengers do not play a role in the most common causes of accidents, but they are the ones who far too often pay the price. If you were injured in a commercial plane accident, you might be eligible to seek justice and compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact us today to learn more.
Statute of Limitations for Plane Crash Victims
It doesn’t matter if the cause of an aviation accident is pilot error or equipment failure, there is a limit on the amount of time you have to seek compensation for your losses and injuries. The statute of limitations defines how long you have to file a claim. In some states, you may have as little as 12 months, while other states may give you two, four or even six years from the date of the accident. However, if you were on an international flight, the rules may be very different. Contact us today to learn more about time limits and if you can file a claim.
How We Handle Commercial Aviation Accident Claims
Our plane accident attorneys hold airlines and other responsible entities liable for injuries caused by negligent actions and behaviors. And we don’t let our clients be taken advantage of by companies that focus more on profits than passengers. Contact us to learn more about how we process plane crash claims, including how we:
Investigate your plane accident and analyze all evidence, including eyewitness testimony, black box data, and crash expert opinion to determine the cause of the crash and identify responsible parties.
Estimate the financial burden of the injuries you sustained and analyze your injuries and losses with aviation crash and medical experts who know best how to determine the true cost and value of plane crash injuries and deaths.
Advocate on behalf victims of plane accidents to make sure the maximum amount of compensation is available to you for your injuries and losses.
Negotiate with pilots, airlines companies, plane manufacturers or other entity to reach the best possible settlement.
Litigate your case when necessary and use every measure available by law to obtain the maximum compensation for you and your family.
We Fight for Your Right to Compensation
When you are injured, or a family member killed because of a commercial plane crash, you have rights. We protect those rights and ensure you receive the maximum compensation available by law. If you want to ensure you get the compensation and justice you need and deserve, contact us now. We will help you get maximum damages for:
- Current and future plane crash injury medical costs
- Loss of consortium of your spouse
- Missed time at work or lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent injuries that you may suffer
- Wrongful death
If you or a loved one were involved in a commercial plane accident, it is possible that the airline will contact you and offer financial compensation. Before you accept this money, speak to us first. By law, attorneys must wait a certain amount of time to contact accident victims, that doesn’t mean you can’t contact us. Plane accidents are typically very complex cases because you must determine who or what was at fault. This means investigating the pilots, the airline, the company that made the plane and the manufacturers of parts and components, air traffic control and even maintenance providers.
Contact us today to learn about the laws that protect your rights and the rights of your family in commercial aviation accidents and whether you are entitled to seek justice and compensation for your injuries and losses.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you have represented as many plane crash victims as we have, you often hear the same types of questions repeatedly. Here are some of the most common questions we hear followed by our answers.
What are my rights as the family member of a plane crash victim?
If your family member was injured in a plane crash, they would file their own claim. However, if your loved one was killed in a commercial aviation accident, then the family has the right to seek compensation on behalf of their loved one.
Who is liable in an airliner crash?
There are many different entities that may be liable for the injuries resulting from a plane crash. From the pilot to the maintenance providers, to manufacturers to the owner of the plane, these types of accidents typically require a thorough and detailed investigation to determine the cause and who is liable. Therefore, it is very important that you seek the assistance of an experienced attorney who understands the complexities of these cases.
What happens if the accident was on an International flight?
If you are a U.S. citizen who was traveling on an international flight that crashed, there are laws that may allow you to have your case heard in U.S. court depending on the impact of doing so. While your recovery in international flight cases may be limited, there are exceptions to that may apply to those limitations. An experienced attorney will be able to advise you on the laws that govern international accident cases.
Who investigates plane crashes?
For domestic accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the FAA, and local law enforcement authorities each have a role when investigating plane crashes in the U.S. But the plane owner, manufacturer, and engineers may also all be involved in the investigations. The FBI and Department of Justice may also get involved if the plane was shot down or hijacked.
Does the plane have to crash for me to get compensation for injuries?
No, a plane doesn’t have to crash for passengers to be injured or for them to seek compensation for their injuries. If the pilots lose control of the plane and the passengers are injured, they can seek compensation. Also, should you suffer injury from severe turbulence that the airline should have known of and warned about, you may also be eligible to seek compensation.
Where do I get information about a specific plane accident?
The National Transportation Safety Board is the lead investigator in aviation accidents, and all accidents are to be reported to the agency. The NTSB should be able to provide you information about specific flight accidents and know where you can find additional information as it becomes available. Your aviation accident attorney should also be able to help you quickly secure accident and investigation information.
What types of damages can I seek as an injured passenger?
Damages that you may be entitled to seek include current and future costs for all medical care resulting from your injuries, any wages that you lost due to your injuries, compensation for pain and suffering, and compensation for permanent disfigurement and scarring you suffer. There may be more damages available depending on the accident and the injuries you sustained.
What damages can I seek if my spouse died in a commercial plane accident?
You may be able to seek damages for wrongful death, the loss of the love and support of your spouse, loss of the aid and comfort of your spouse, as well as any medical costs you incurred because of the accident, and funeral expenses.
The airlines offered me money after the plane crash. Should I take it?
Typically, an airliner will offer compensation to accident victims and their families, but it may not come close to the amount of compensation you deserve. The only way you can ensure you get the full amount of compensation you may be entitled to is to seek compensation through the legal system from all responsible parties which could result in far greater compensation. An experienced attorney can assist you and make sure you are seeking compensation from all responsible parties.
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