Airplane Accidents and Crashes: Legal Information for Passengers and Victims
Learn what legal options are available to passengers and people who are injured in airplane accidents
Airplane accidents occur without warning. Airplane accidents and aviation mishaps sometimes happen when pilots, crew, or air safety personnel fail to follow established safety guidelines. If you have been injured in an airplane accident that was caused by the wrongful conduct of the pilot or airline personnel, you may be entitled to legal compensation. If your aircraft-related injury happened anywhere in the state of Washington, you could benefit from an experienced attorney for airplane accidents.
People who are injured in an air disaster (including the relatives of people killed in airplane accidents) have to file a lawsuit against the responsible party to receive financial compensation. The circumstances of each case varies, but in most cases, the responsible party may include the airline and aircraft owners, the pilot, on-board crew, the service personnel who maintain the aircraft, the manufacturer of the airplane, and even airport and government safety officials.
The specifics of each case determine who can legally file a lawsuit to receive compensation. Plaintiffs in an airplane accident lawsuit can include anyone injured in the airplane accident and the spouse, parents, personal representative, or estate of anyone killed or injured in the airplane accident. Also, anyone determined to have been within the specified “danger zone” at the time of the airplane accident is also eligible to seek damages for emotional or physical harm incurred as a result of the airplane accident.
In most of the United States, the spouse of an airplane accident victim may be entitled to seek compensation for loss of spousal support, as well as loss of services, benefits, and wages. In addition, children and spouses can pursue damages from the responsible parties under an airplane accident lawsuit.
Airplane Accident Case Settlement for Wrongful Death and Injuries
Your personal injury attorney can determine if you have a strong case for an airplane accident lawsuit. If you decide to pursue a personal injury claim against the responsible parties, the airline will often attempt to settle the case to avoid the expense of going to trial. In such cases, your interests are best represented by an experienced attorney who can negotiate with the airline for a just and fair settlement.
If the two parties cannot come to an agreement, your case might go to mediation or trial. Mediation means that a third party, usually a judge, determines who is responsible for the airplane accident. If your airplane accident lawsuit is decided in your favor, your compensation will include medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If a loved one died in an airplane accident, your attorney can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit. In such cases, your compensation covers funeral expenses, medical bills, and other related costs.