Aircraft Accidents

Aircraft Accidents

If you have recently been involved in an aircraft accident and suffered an injury, or if someone close to you has been injured or killed in an aircraft accident, you may have the legal right to obtain compensation. Aircraft accidents usually result in serious injuries or death. Serious injuries can permanently negatively impact the victim's health and lifestyle. If the accident was caused by pilot error, someone's negligence, a design flaw or a manufacturing defect, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, loss of wages and other losses.

The National Transportation Safety Board defines an aircraft 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 and all such persons have disembarked, and in which any person suffers death or serious injury, or in which the aircraft receives substantial damage.

NTSB further defines injuries as follows:

Fatal injury is any injury which results in death within 30 days of the accident.

Serious injury means any injury which:

	Requires hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within 7 days from the date the injury was received.
	Results in a fracture of any bone (except simple fractures of fingers, toes, or nose).
	Causes severe hemorrhages, nerve, muscle, or tendon damage.
	Involves any internal organ.
	Involves second- or third-degree burns, or any burns affecting more than 5 percent of the body surface.

Aircraft accidents and injuries are typically associated with one or more of the following events or issues:

	Pilot error.
	Defective design or manufacture.
	Flight control system malfunction or failure.
	Structural components failure.
	Engine damage or failure.
	Direct contact with any part of the aircraft, including parts which have become detached from the aircraft.
	Direct exposure to jet blast.
	In-flight fire.
	Aircraft collision in flight.
	An evacuation of an aircraft in which an emergency egress system is utilized
	Weather Issues: icing, turbulence, wind, thunderstorm, visibility, precipitation and windshear.

Excluded events include injuries from natural causes, self inflicted injuries or injuries inflicted by other persons, or when the injuries are to stowaways hiding outside the areas normally available to the passengers and crew. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, during the period from January 1983 to December 2002 there were 44,068 reported aircraft accidents. The table below summarizes accidents, fatalities, passenger fatalities and serious passenger injuries for U.S. general aviation.

Aircraft accident personal injury cases are usually complex and expensive. You should always consult a qualified, licensed lawyer. You may contact the sponsoring law firm below to discuss the injury or schedule a free consultation. These personal injury cases are normally handled on a contingency basis. Typically there are no fees unless the lawyer obtains a settlement or award for you.

Where can I get legal advice about my Accident Injury issue or case?

If you have an Accident Injury matter or case and want legal advice for your specific situation, call the law firm below to schedule an initial consultation. 

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