Phillips Law Firm Can Handle Your Airplane / Aviation Accident Claim
Air traffic is one of the safest means of transportation according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) but when an accident occurs, the risk of fatality is high. Aviation accidents are more common than you may think because many smaller aviation accidents often go unreported by the media.
An aviation accident can range between injuries sustained on small planes or helicopters to major airline carriers, domestic or international.
The Convention on International Civil Aviation Annex 13 defines an aviation accident as “an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft, which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until all such persons have disembarked, where a person is fatally or seriously injured, the aircraft sustains damage or structural failure or the aircraft is missing or completely inaccessible.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States governs all aviation safety activities intended to protect the general public as well as pilots and flight attendants from unnecessary risk. This includes regulations such as design and maintenance as well as pilot training. Particular knowledge of flight requirements and regulations set forth by the FAA will be very important pieces in determining the extent of liability as most accidents are due to pilot and mechanical errors.
Further, advancing aviation technology, technical engineering, forensic evidence and potentially remote accident locations can make thorough investigations extremely complex. It may be determined that a defective product was the cause of the accident in which case you will need a firm with experience in defective product liability claims as well.
If you are considering pursuing a claim after an aviation accident, you will need a law firm with particular experience in flight requirements and the regulations set forth by the FAA. This type of investigation can become costly very quickly so you will also need a law firm with the resources available to handle these types of claims.
The most common reasons for aviation accidents including both carrier and general aviation include:
Pilot Error
Over 50% of all aviation accidents are caused by human error, including fatigue from lack of sleep, miscommunication and over correction.
Mechanical Error
If an underlying mechanical problem goes undetected, this can result in mid-flight mechanical trouble, creating high risk for a tragic airplane accident.
Federal Aviation Administration Regulation Violation
In some cases pilot substance abuse or mental illness can undetected, contributing to pilot error that results in an airplane accident.
Negligence of Federal Air Traffic Controllers
30% of all accidents occur during takeoff or landing. Air traffic controllers are in charge of regulating high levels of traffic at airports to avoid these collisions. Unfortunately, in some cases aviation traffic is misdirected, resulting in airplane accidents on the runway.
Negligence of Flight Service Station Employees
If a passenger’s behavior is disruptive to the safety of the crew or passengers, it is crucial that airline properly deals with the unruly passenger to protect the safety of all aboard the plane.
Weather
Icy, windy and other extreme weather conditions pose a threat to the proper functionality of aviation equipment. It is important that a carrier recognizes when it is too dangerous to fly, cancelling or delaying a flight until ideal conditions arise for your protection.
Two federal agencies regulate all air travel and investigate all airplane accidents in the United States: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA’s responsibilities include setting safety standards for flight operation, pilot conduct and aircraft manufacturer regulations. The NTSB investigates all accidents and then recommends safety standards to prevent future accidents.
Either the plane manufacturer or maintenance suppliers may be found liable for an accident. If an aircraft failed to meet industry standards including aircraft, engineering or other regulatory issues and an accident occurred, you may be entitled to compensation.
When filing an aviation claim, it is important to choose an experienced attorney that has a detailed understand of aircraft function, safety, FAA regulations and rules regarding aviation litigation. Aviation litigation can involve state, federal and potentially international law requiring an attorney who is proficient in multiple complex legal areas. Pilots, airline maintenance providers, manufacturers, major airlines and in some cases the government can be subject to negligence claims after an aviation accident.
Get Started With Your Free Airplane Accident Case Evaluation
Our airplane accident attorneys are dedicated to getting you the justice and compensation you deserve. Call Phillips Law Firm at 1-800-708-6000. We are waiting to assist you 24/7, with a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. That means if we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.
