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Frequently Asked Questions about Aviation Accidents
Below are some frequently asked questions about aviation or airplane accidents. For more information, please visit the aviation accident subsection under “Practice Areas.”
What claims do I have?
There are several different claims you may have if you have been involved in an aviation or aircraft accident. First, you may have a claim for negligence of the pilot. Second, you may have a claim for negligence against the owner of the aircraft if the owner is different from the pilot. Third, you may also have a claim for negligent entrustment or negligent hiring, training and supervision, if the owner of the aircraft is different than the pilot of the aircraft and the owner knew or should have known that the pilot would operate the aircraft in a careless, reckless or negligent manner. Additionally, there may be claims against the manufacturer, retailer or maintenance crews of any defective or malfunctioning parts on the aircraft.
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What can I recover?
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of an aviation accident or disaster you may be entitled to recover 1) economic damages, which include compensation for past and future medical expenses, past and future wage loss, impairment of earning capacity, and other out-of-pocket expenses; 2) non-economic damages, which include inconvenience, loss of quality of life, emotional distress, pain and suffering; and 3) physical impairment and disfigurement, which may include compensation for scars or physical disability as a result of the injuries you sustained in the accident. Unfortunately these types of claims often involve fatalities to loved ones; therefore, the types of damages you may recover could include damages for wrongful death. For more information about wrongful death damages, please see Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death, as well as the Wrongful Death subsection under “ Practice Areas.”
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Do I need an investigator?
After an aviation accident has occurred, it is important to investigate the scene of the accident as quickly as possible. At Bachus & Schanker, LLC our team of attorneys and investigators will work as quickly as possible to preserve the wreckage, interview witnesses, evaluate liability, identify jurisdictional issues, and protect you and your family's rights during interviews with authorities and insurance representatives. Our aviation accident attorneys will also act immediately after a plane crash to collect crucial radar information and preserve all air traffic control recordings. It is important to start the evidence collection process as soon as possible. If our investigation is delayed, it is much more difficult to preserve the evidence and locate witnesses needed to reconstruct the aviation accident and prove what really caused the plane or aircraft crash.
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