Dedicated Representation for Injured Clients After a Plane or Helicopter Crash
BD&J passionately upholds clients’ rights in court. Our firm has guided hundreds of clients to successful settlements, and we can provide aggressive representation for your case. Backed by years of experience and an impressive track record of over $1 billion* in verdicts and settlements for our clients, we can fight for your right to compensation.
Not many firms cover these accidents, but BD&J is here for you after a traumatic event like this.
Types of Aviation Accidents
In 2020, there were 1,085 civil aviation accidents recorded in the United States. While flying is statistically the safest way to travel, the risks involved are still high. Aviation accidents often involve commercial airlines, air-taxi and medical helicopters, hot air balloons, personal airplanes, unpowered gliders, and cargo airplanes.
There are several types of aviation accidents. These include:
- Ground collisions
- Mid-air collisions
- Landing accidents
- Taxiing accidents
In any aviation accident situation, the risk of serious injury and death is significant. Injuries may involve paralysis, spinal cord injuries, internal hemorrhaging, lacerations, traumatic brain injuries, coma, and other catastrophic injuries and medical conditions. If you have been involved in a plane crash, it is important to file a claim and seek compensation right away.
Who Is Responsible?
Aviation accidents can be caused by a variety of factors. With so many working parts and people involved in the process, it is important to conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) investigates all aviation crashes to determine who is at fault.
Causes of aviation accidents include:
- Pilot error – There is a lot of room for pilots to make a mistake while operating the craft. A pilot’s responsibilities include paying attention to unsafe weather conditions, staying alert and unimpaired, following safety regulations, supervising flight personnel and procedures, and much more.
- Design and mechanical failures – The Hindenburg was not were design errors ended for aircraft. Design failures such as improperly designed doors and oddly shaped windows have resulted in structural issues for aircraft which caused devastating effects.
- Air traffic control error – Air traffic controllers are responsible for proper communication and protocol for safe takeoff and landing and must be certified.
- Maintenance error – Aircrafts should be properly maintained on a regular schedule.
- Defective runways – Everything from faulty materials to bad design can make a runways potentially hazardous for takeoff and landing. Runways have cracked and buckled due to these errors.
Depending on the situation, a number of people may be held liable for the crash. The pilot, maintenance supervisor, repair technician, air traffic controller, or even the commercial airline may be sued for damages after an aviation accident. The NTSB will conduct a thorough investigation by looking at the condition of the airplane and factors of the incident to determine the cause.
The Complexity of Aircraft Accident Lawsuits
Determining fault and liability within a vast airline operation can be complex, especially when you consider the various departments involved in getting an aircraft off the ground.
An airplane accident lawyer can help investigate the cause of an injury so injured clients receive just compensation from the correct parties. Our team specializes in collecting damages for anything from wrongful death to punitive damages for gross negligence.
Here are some questions our airplane accident lawyers consider:
- Was the pilot at fault?
- Were incorrect bolts and manufacturing materials used for parts?
- Was it a mechanical failure?
- Did the aircraft run out of fuel?
- Did a natural disaster or unpredictable weather pattern throw the plane off course?
- Was it an error caused by baggage handling and vehicles on the runway?
- Is this a commercial or private aviation accident?
- Was it a mid-air collision caused by a lack of communication and crowded airways?
Additionally, there are various federal regulations to consider, which include multiple state and federal government agencies and analysis of insurance contracts. An aviation accident law firm should be contacted soon after the event to ensure accurate accounts of the accident.
How Long After a Crash Should You File a Lawsuit?
If you want to find out the exact statute of limitations for filing your lawsuit, you should contact an attorney in California. Filing a claim by the deadline date is vital — if you miss the date, you can’t claim compensation. Typically, the legal timeline is 2 years to file, but discussing your situation with a BD&J, PC, aviation accident lawyer can help clarify your specific timeline.
Contact Our Los Angeles Airplane and Aircraft Accident Lawyers Today
At BD&J, we combine compassionate service with tenacious representation. If you were injured in an aviation accident, or a loved one was killed in an airplane crash, we can help you file a lawsuit against those responsible. You are entitled to compensation, and we can work hard to provide informative, personal legal assistance from start to finish.
