Airplane Accidents

Airplane travel is widely considered one of the safest forms of transportation. When airplane accidents do occur, they result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Miami airplane accident victims and their families have it in their best interest to learn about their legal rights and options in such cases. Aviation accident law allows victims of both major airline crashes and general aviation accidents to pursue compensation for their losses.

Causes of Airplane Accidents

There are many potential causes of an airline accident. During an airplane accident claim proceeding, it will become important to determine who was at fault for the crash. Common causes include:

  • Pilot Error: While many elements of flying are now automated, pilots still play a pivotal role in flying the plane. When a pilot is fatigued or negligent, everyone on the plane may be at great risk.
  • Faulty and Defective Equipment: The manufacturers of defective airplane parts may be held responsible for the accidents their products cause.
  • Negligent Maintenance: Reviewing the maintenance history of a plane may show negligence on the part of the airline or the mechanics in charge of inspecting and maintaining the plane.
  • Failure to Meet Federal Aviation Administration Regulations: Airline companies must adhere to strict regulations regarding the safety of their planes. Companies that do not follow these regulations may be held liable for the injuries their planes cause.
  • Negligent Federal Air Traffic Controllers: Human error can lead to planes landing and taking off at dangerous times. Runway collisions or near-collisions are extremely common at large airports and these often occur because of negligence on the part of air traffic controllers.
Aircraft Owners and Common Carriers

Airline owners or companies can be held liable for operator negligence. Injured victims can seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages and other damages. Families of deceased aviation accident victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical costs, funeral expenses, lost future income, benefits and other damages. An airplane owner does not have to be piloting a plane to be held responsible for the injuries caused by their aircraft. Commercial airlines are held to an even stricter standard than private airplane owners. Commercial airline companies are considered common carriers that have a duty of care to passengers. Not only must common carriers provide safe travel for their customers, they also must provide expedient compensation to the injured victims of their accidents.

An airline accident case may fall under state, federal or international law. If you or a loved one has been injured in an airplane accident, please contact experienced Miami  accident attorney Ruth E. Johnson for a free and comprehensive consultation. We will ensure that you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.