Plane crash cases involve numerous factors that make them significantly more challenging than other injury claims. First, many different parties could bear responsibility, such as airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and maintenance crews. Investigators must consider many possible causes, such as mechanical failure, pilot error, or faulty parts, leading to a complex, time-intensive process. Each party usually has its own legal representation protecting its interests, which further complicates matters.
Second, plane crashes may involve federal rules and regulatory bodies. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees airlines and aviation professionals in the U.S. Any attorney representing a client injured in a plane crash needs to understand these rules and how they could apply to their case.
Another major challenge is the highly technical nature of these accidents. To determine what caused a crash, investigators need to understand aircraft design, weather patterns, and mechanical engineering, as well as how all these different factors interact with each other. This makes gathering evidence and preparing arguments more difficult than in more run-of-the-mill personal injury cases.
Given all these challenges, it’s critical that you have a personal injury lawyer on your side if you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an airplane crash. An experienced lawyer can handle the investigation, coordinate with experts, and seek the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), there were 1,156 airplane accidents in the U.S. in 2021, 210 (18.2 percent) of which involved fatalities. These types of crashes can happen for myriad reasons, many of which involve preventable factors like human error and equipment malfunctions. The following are some of the most common causes of plane accidents:
Determining liability after a plane crash is tough because many different people and organizations play roles in ensuring a flight operates safely. Any one of them could be liable for an accident.
The airline itself is often a key party in these cases. Airlines have a duty to maintain their planes, hire trustworthy professionals, train their staff, and follow safety regulations. An airline could be responsible for a crash if it fails to maintain an aircraft properly or allows unqualified employees to fly or work on the plane.
An airplane manufacturer might also be at fault if a defect in the plane’s design or parts contributed to the accident. In some cases, a part of the plane could malfunction because it was designed or built incorrectly. This would make the plane or parts manufacturer liable for the accident.
Depending on the circumstances, maintenance companies, air traffic controllers, and even pilots can also be liable. If any of these parties act negligently, they can be held accountable for injuries or losses resulting from the accident. A personal injury lawyer can identify who is liable and seek compensation from the responsible parties.
If you suffered injuries in an accident due to someone else’s negligence or wrong doing, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. At Valley Injury Team, we fight tirelessly to protect your rights and seek the compensation you need. We’re proud to serve clients throughout the Phoenix area, including Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale and Queen Creek.
Valley Injury Team is committed to helping you understand your legal rights and options, reducing your stress and uncertainty, and giving you the support you need during this challenging time. Contact us today to learn more in a free consultation.
