Aviation accident victims typically suffer serious physical injuries and psychological trauma. In the most tragic accidents, a loved one can be lost forever. The aviation accident attorneys from Williams Hart & Boundas want you to know that you are not alone. Our team will handle your case from start to finish, beginning with a free consultation for aviation accident victims.
Our aviation accident attorneys will stand by your side, whether you are fighting for compensation for your own injuries and losses or seeking justice for your loved one’s wrongful death. Our airplane accident lawyers put our knowledge and experience to work for you to secure the best possible outcome in your case.
How the Aviation Accident Attorneys at Williams Hart & Boundas Can Help You
Taking on those responsible for an aviation accident can be challenging. Not every legal team can provide the individualized, professional, effective representation you need. At Williams Hart & Boundas, you can put your trust in our experienced personal injury attorneys to manage the nuances while you focus on getting better.
Our trial lawyers comprise an award-winning legal team with a long track record of favorable verdicts totaling billions won for highly satisfied clients. When you work with us, you will get superior legal representation from a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer who responds to your concerns. We communicate with you consistently about your progress, never leaving you wondering about the status of your case.
Our legal team is not afraid to take on large companies, and we fight for however long it takes to secure the verdicts our clients deserve. Our primary goal is to settle out of court quickly to save you the time and expense of a trial. However, if the other side does not meet our demands with a fair offer, your legal team is prepared from the beginning to proceed to trial.
Understanding Airplane Accident Lawsuits
Victims of airplane or helicopter accidents can file a type of personal injury case called an aviation accident claim. This is filed against the party responsible for causing the accident leading to the victims’ injuries. When aviation cases involve fatalities, surviving family members may turn to a qualified law firm to understand how they are eligible to file another type of personal injury claim called a wrongful death claim.
In aviation accident cases, the plaintiffs (those who were injured) can include their demands to recover economic and non-economic damages. “Damages” is the legal term for the financial award victims collect from the at-fault party or parties.
Unfortunately, personal injury victims often underestimate their damages. They may not realize the future financial implications of their medical needs and inability to work, or they may undervalue their emotional losses. Do not risk losing the compensation you need and deserve by attempting to manage your personal injury claim on your own. Instead, connect with Williams Hart & Boundas law firm. Our experienced team will value your losses with precision and fight to secure your financial future and deliver financial justice.
Potential Recoverable Damages in an Aviation Accident Claim
Economic damages recover financial costs, such as the substantial medical expenses associated with serious injuries, lost income while recovering, and potentially permanent income loss if their injuries prevent their return to work. Property damage and additional expenses often factor into aviation accident cases as well.
Non-economic damages acknowledge the victim’s pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. They account for losses that do not come with a definitive price but certainly carry a high value. For example, you could be left with chronic pain for the rest of your life. If you develop PTSD, you may never be able to fly again, which could significantly hamper personal goals or a career that requires long-distance travel.
Compensation for Wrongful Death
If your loved one died in an aviation accident, partner with our law firm to pursue a wrongful death claim. According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71, family members of those killed because of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act can seek compensation similar to what victims of personal injury claims receive.
Wrongful death compensation usually includes coverage of related medical bills, loss of household income and contributions, loss of support and affection, and end-of-life costs. Families may also be able to seek repayment for the expenses to recover, transport, cremate, and bury the loved one’s remains. Trust our experienced law firm to fight for the highest settlement possible.
Common Causes of Aviation Accidents
The National Safety Council (NSC) has found that commercial air travel is one of the safest modes of transportation, with extremely small lifetime odds of dying as a passenger in the United States. Additionally, theInternational Air Transport Association (IATA)reports the number of aircraft accidents involving international flights for the most recent year of data collection was lower than the previous year and better than most years during the previous decade.
Even so, travelers know aircraft accidents happen. There are, however, some more common causes of aviation accidents, according to statistics compiled by theNational Transportation Safety Dashboard (NTSB)documenting general aviation accidents over the recent decade:
Loss of Control
The most common cause of general aviation accidents is losing control of the plane by the pilot and crew. Of the 2,232 in-flight loss of control accidents, 976 involved fatalities, and 1,256 were non-fatal. These kinds of accidents typically result from pilot error. Pilots must monitor gauges, readouts, and instruments while handling aircraft controls. Inexperience, fatigue, inadequate training, or a simple human error can lead to a loss of control and collisions with terrain, water, or obstacles.
System or Mechanical Failure
Many things can go wrong with the thousands of mechanical components on an airborne vehicle, leading to an airplane or helicopter crash. Specifically, problems with the plane’s “powerplant” generated 214 fatalities and 1,836 accidents. The powerplant comprises complex systems, and if any part of that system contains design defects or simply fails from malfunction, the plane can fail, leading to an aviation crash.
On-the-Ground Loss of Control
Losing control of the plane during taxiing, takeoff, or landing led to 21 fatal crashes and 2,017 non-fatal aviation crashes. Weather conditions can cause a plane to skid during takeoff or landing, or a pilot may make a judgment error. Those overseeing busy runways may misdirect a pilot, or the pilot may veer off course. If an air traffic controller sends a plane onto the runway too early, it could pose a hazard for landing aircraft and lead to an accident.
Abnormal Runway Contact
According to the NTSBAviation Occurrence Categories, abnormal runway contact accidents involve landings that are outside normal procedures.The landing may be hard or heavy, long or fast, off-center, or “crabbed.” This category also includes “nose wheel first touchdown” and tail or wingtip strikes, along with “gear-up” landings. These occur when the plane lands on its belly when the landing gear either has not been activated or malfunctions. This category accounted for 18 fatal and 1,590 non-fatal aviation crashes.
Additional Causes
Other causes of accidents include problems with fuel, non-powerplant-related mechanical failures, and errors by air traffic control. Air traffic controllers keep air “traffic” under control by directing pilots to avoid mid-air crashes and just about any other form of in-flight aviation disaster. They provide pilots with information about weather, fuel, takeoff, and landing conditions. Information from air traffic control keeps air travel safe, but any misinformation can cause a devastating aviation crash.
Common Causes of Helicopter Accidents
Air travel can include rides in helicopters. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) reports that when compared to other general aviation accidents, the helicopter crash rate is lower. The AOPA listed two main causes of helicopter crashes: pilot error and mechanical failure. Pilot error accounted for more than three times the number of mechanical-related incidents.
A personal injury attorney can help no matter the cause of your airline crash. We offer a full knowledge of Texas personal injury and air-travel regulations. Our legal team has access to extensive resources to investigate your accident, including aviation and accident reconstruction experts. We will work to identify the party or parties who caused your accident and hold them accountable for the harm you suffered.
Liability for Plane Crashes
Knowing who to hold liable for the losses you sustain in an airplane crash is essential to a successful claim. Collecting a settlement is only possible if you prove the liable party was negligent and their negligence led to the accident that caused your injuries and damages. The experienced aviation lawyers from Williams Hart & Boundas will dive deep into the circumstances of your accident to discover who holds fault.
Potentially at-fault parties may include:
- Private plane owner: If your accident occurs in a privately owned small plane that is operated by the plane’s owner, that owner may be liable.
- Plane manufacturer: When planes or components of their operating systems malfunction because of defective parts or poor design, aircraft manufacturers may hold blame for resulting accidents. For example, Boeing is one of the largest global aerospace manufacturing companies.
- Commercial airline: Accidents in commercial planes may leave the commercial airline company culpable. Commercial aviation is subject to strict Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, and airlines open themselves up to liability for any compliance failures. Private plane owners must also follow regulations. However, as “common carriers,” commercial airlines face much stricter and more extensive requirements.
- Federal Aviation Administration: The FAA is responsible for directing air traffic, governing airport safety and inspections, maintaining standards for airport design and operation, and regulating flight inspection standards, among other substantial duties. Accidents resulting from their failures may provide grounds for a claim.
How Experienced Aviation Lawyers Can Manage Your Case
Identifying and successfully holding liable parties in aviation industry cases accountable is a massive undertaking, requiring comprehensive knowledge of aviation law and how the aviation industry works. After an accident, the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration conduct investigations. The legal team at Williams Hart & Boundas will access the NTSB and FAA investigation reports and use additional resources, such as connections with aviation experts, to build your case.
Still, no matter how strong the evidence is, if your claim is against a large company, such as Boeing or a major commercial airline, these parties will have powerful representation defending them. They may express concern for victims in press conferences or through carefully worded statements issued by their public relations team. However, their legal teams and insurance companies will work hard to keep their liability to a minimum.
If your claim is against the FAA, the challenges increase. The FAA is a federal government entity. The process for suing the government comes with a host of legal complexities and procedures. Fortunately, our team is not intimidated by powerful companies or the federal government. We believe victims have the right to pursue personal injury claims against any negligent party.
Insurance Companies May Fight to Avoid Paying Your Settlement
Seeking compensation after an aviation accident often involves working with not only the at-fault parties but also with their insurance companies. Private plane owners, commercial carriers, Boeing and other major manufacturers, and / or members of the federal government must all be held accountable when their negligence hurts others. The process typically begins by negotiating with insurance adjusters about the details of your damage claim.
Personal injury claims are typically paid by insurance companies, yet the discussions can be drawn out and frustrating. Whether your claim is against a private individual or a major entity, the insurance companies involved will fight to pay you as little as possible. Insurance companies are businesses–their main objective is to keep their assets. Your aviation lawyers will handle all communication and negotiation with these companies, tirelessly and boldly demanding they pay you fair, substantial compensation.
Contact The Award-Winning Houston Aviation Accident Attorneys at Williams Hart & Boundas to Schedule A Free Consultation Today
An aviation accident case is a specific type of personal injury case. For a favorable outcome, victims need legal representation from experienced, knowledgeable Houston aviation accident attorneys. Navigating complex airline or helicopter crashes successfully requires a full understanding of aviation law and FAA regulations, along with Texas personal injury laws and legal process. Our airplane accident lawyers are fully armed with this knowledge and more, and equipped to meet the challenges and complexities your case may bring.
The Williams Hart & Boundas Houston aviation accident attorneys are ready to get to work for you. Connect with us today so we can review your case and present you with your legal options. We value the attorney-client relationship, and from the start, you can count on us for insightful, trustworthy guidance.
No two cases are the same. The legal options best for someone else, may not be best for you. We will consider your unique situation with great care and work to secure an outcome that benefits you most. Contact our office for a free consultation with our attentive, award-winning Houston aviation accident attorneys today.
Houston Aviation Accident Lawyers
Contact the skilled Houston aviation accident attorneys at Williams Hart & Boundas to discuss your case for free today. We serve clients who have been injured in a plane crash, helicopter accident and other aviation disasters. If you were injured in an aviation accident, contact our Houston aviation accident lawyers to learn how we can help.