Aviation Accident Lawyer

Miami, Florida

It is imperative that plane crash victims and their families retain the services of experienced aviation attorneys who have the resources required to stand up to the big airlines. We work tirelessly to help clients in the South Florida area, across the nation, and throughout the world determine aviation liability and get justice for their loved ones.

Who is to Blame For Your Aviation Accident?

While pilot error often gets the most publicity, other crew members or safety personnel can bear significant liability for your aviation accident. Frequently, multiple parties will share responsibility for an aviation accident and for the injuries you have suffered.

All entities involved in aviation travel have a legal obligation—duty of care—to make sure their passengers are safe when they fly. If any party violates their duty of care, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries.

Some of the entities that may be responsible for your aviation accident include:

Pilots
Flight crew members
Maintenance personnel
Manufacturers
Plane operators
Air traffic control
Commercial airline companies
Private plane companies
Airplane servicing companies
Aviation companies
Tour companies using recreational aircrafts, such as hang-gliders and hot-air balloons

What are the Common Causes of Aviation Accidents?

The most common causes of aviation accidents include:

Flying in dangerous weather conditions
Takeoff and landing errors
Pilot fatigue, stress, alcohol or medication use, or illness
Air traffic control error
Flying too low
Failure to conduct pre-flight checks and inspections
Running out of fuel
Misuse of technology
Mechanical issues

Mechanical Difficulties

One of the most common causes of aviation accidents is mechanical difficulties. Even when aircrafts are manufactured according to their specifications and flown with appropriate care, flaws in the actual design can cause them to be dangerous. For example, incorrectly produced or assembled parts can lead to significant problems in the air.

If you were injured in an accident caused by a plane or helicopter that had mechanical difficulties, you may have a claim against the designer of the aircraft, manufacturer, or any party involved in supplying airplane parts or equipment.

Pilot Error

Commercial airline travel is generally very safe, and accidents are rare when compared to other modes of transportation. But private air travel tends to be more dangerous. Commercial pilots have many hours of training and fly regularly to maintain the skills they have developed. Recreational pilots, on the other hand, fly less frequently and are not required to abide by the same type of rigorous training requirements.

Often, the pilots of small planes involved in accidents may be family or friends of the victims. But if that is the case, do not let that stop you from pursuing an aviation accident claim, as generally, the claim is made against the insurance policy.

If the negligent pilot in your case was a commercial pilot, you may also have a claim against the pilot’s employer. Employers have a responsibility to take appropriate care in hiring, training, and supervising their pilots. If they have been negligent in carrying out their duties, then they must be held accountable. Only a skilled aviation accident attorney can truly assess whether an accident victim’s injuries are the result of negligence. Speak with one of our top-rated aviation accident attorneys at The G Law Group today and learn more about your rights after an aviation accident.

Bad Weather

While surely no one can be held accountable for causing bad weather, a pilot or airline may be liable for failing to check the weather, underestimating the dangers associated with inclement weather, or failing to obey proper procedures during a storm. Pilots and airlines must factor the health and safety of everyone on board before making the decision to take off during stormy weather. When these parties negligently fail to take proper precautions, the consequences can be devastating.

Maintenance Issues

Aircraft accidents may also be caused by negligent maintenance. Owners of aircraft may not conduct regular inspections and maintenance, or mechanics who work on planes and other aircraft may have been negligent in their repairs. Additionally, pilots have the responsibility, before takeoff, to inspect their planes and ensure that they are in flying condition. Failure to do this may lead to a negligence claim.

A commercial airline or charter company may also be held liable for maintenance problems. Airlines have the responsibility to inspect their aircraft regularly and to ensure that their mechanics and pilots are doing their jobs correctly. If the airline did not properly supervise a negligent maintenance crew, the airline may also be held responsible.

Other common causes include ground crew error, passenger negligence or intent to harm, improper cargo loading, runway obstructions, and in-flight fires. Regardless of what caused your aviation accident, these types of tragedies should never happen. After suffering injury or the death of a loved one in such an incident, schedule a case evaluation and speak with one of our skilled aviation accident lawyers today. Our initial consultation is free and we never a charge a penny in fees unless we obtain compensation for you.

How Dangerous Are Airplanes?

You may have heard the statement that flying in a large commercial airplane is safer than driving in a car. It refers to the relatively small number of accidents occurring on large commercial flights compared to the number of accidents and deaths happening on our nation’s highways.

In 2020, for example, there were 349 deaths in civil aviation accidents, according to the National Safety Council. However, none of these fatalities involved commercial airline travel. But almost 39,000 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents on our nation’s roads.

Yet in spite of these numbers, when an aviation or airplane accident does occur, they are often deadly. Even minor Florida aviation accidents, such as those that occur on the runway or while boarding, can still result in significant injuries and a lifetime of pain/suffering.

But while vehicle accidents routinely cause more fatalities and injuries than aviation accidents, that fact certainly doesn’t mean the skies are completely safe. Far from it.

What Should I Do After Being In An Aviation Accident?

As you can see, aviation accidents are statistically rare, but they are nonetheless a real and constant threat to air passengers. There are some easy steps to follow after being in an aviation accident:

Seek medical attention immediately
Report your injuries to the airline or pilot
Speak with a qualified aviation accident attorney
Avoid posting to social media
Make sure to attend all doctor’s visits and fill all medications
Keep copies of all receipts and medical bills
Follow your designated treatment plan

What Damages Am I Entitled to for an Aviation Accident?

Injury victims have the right to file civil claims against any at-fault party/parties in pursuit of compensation for their damages. Filing a claim for an aviation accident could result in reimbursement for all past and future accident-related expenses, such as:

Previous medical expenses. Hospital bills, doctor visits, diagnostic testing, rehabilitation expenses, therapy, etc.
Future medical expenses. If you have suffered a permanent injury, loss of limb, or disfigurement that will require future surgery, vocational care, occupational therapy, injections, treatment or any other type of medical care.
Lost wages. If you missed time from work while recovering from your aviation accident, you are entitled compensation for any lost income.
Loss of future earning capacity. If your aviation accident causes a permanent injury or prevents you from working in the future, then you are also entitled to compensation for loss of future earning potential
Pain and suffering. You may seek damages for physical pain and suffering, emotional toll, mental anguish, stress, distress, sorrow, and other intangible impacts that were caused by the aviation accident.
Wrongful death damages. If you lost a loved one in a plane crash or other aviation disaster, surviving family members may be eligible for damages such as loss of consortium, funeral/burial expenses, and lost inheritance.

After any accident involving an aircraft, discuss your case with an aviation accident attorney. Our skilled aviation accident attorneys are here to speak with you, just schedule a free case evaluation by clicking below. Each case is unique, but we promise to fight every step of the way to obtain the best possible results for our clients.