Air travel is heavily regulated and requires the expertise of several parties to ensure a successful flight. From small, private-owned planes to big commercial airliners, all aircraft have high safety standards, and thanks to this regulation, aviation accidents are exceedingly rare. According to the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention, there were 20 total accidents and only 1 fatal accident in 2022: that’s 0.2324 accidents for every 100,000 flights. Violations of these standards, however, can lead to catastrophic accidents, and injured victims or their family members are often eligible for compensation. If you have suffered this type of accident, an attorney at Buttafuoco & Associates can advise you of your rights and help you determine how much compensation you are entitled to.
Causes of Aviation Accidents
There are many causes of aviation accidents, which means a variety of parties may be responsible for your injuries–from parts manufacturers to pilots or airline companies themselves. This can make these cases tricky. Some of the most common causes of aviation accidents include:
- Faulty Equipment: Airplanes require an enormous amount of equipment to operate smoothly. Faulty equipment can cause a variety of problems, such as loss of cabin pressure, landing difficulties, or a loss of engine power in flight.
- FAA Regulation Violations: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a strict set of regulations for every aspect of flight from runway designations to plane registrations.
- Pilot Errors: Even veteran pilots can make grave errors when they fail to follow safety protocol or use common sense. Pilot errors are most common when the pilot is under the influence of drugs or alcohol or is too fatigued to fly.
- Defective Design or Manufacture of Aircraft: A flaw in the aircraft design or manufacturing process can lead to malfunctions and other hazards that cause crashes.
- Flight Service Station Employee Negligence: The flight service station is responsible for conducting preflight briefings with the flight crew, processing flight plans, advising pilots of in-flight information, and emergency assistance to aircraft.
- Federal Air Traffic Controller Negligence: Federal air traffic controllers must advise planes of landing and takeoff status, altitude changes, and communicate with both the airplane and nearby control towers.
Because there are so many potential parties that can be considered negligent for aviation accidents, working with a personal injury attorney can help you more thoroughly understand your rights and create a strong case that holds all responsible parties accountable.
Identifying Liable Parties in an Aviation Accident
As you can see, there are many parties responsible for the safe operation of passenger aircraft, and negligence from any one part of the system can have catastrophic consequences. To identify the liable party in any aviation accident, you must first determine the cause of the accident. Aviation accident investigations are rigorous and thorough processes that might involve the FAA, local law enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Given the complexity of these investigations, it can take a significant amount of time for officials to determine fault and produce a report.
After an investigation has determined the official cause of the accident, you will have a clearer idea of who is responsible, and in many cases, this may include multiple parties. In addition to those mentioned above, these may include:
- Airline Companies may be liable for inadequate maintenance, inadequate safety protocols, or errors made by their pilots or crew.
- Aircraft and Aircraft Component Manufacturers may be liable for design flaws, manufacturing defects, or failure to warn of potential hazards.
- Maintenance Providers may be liable for improper inspections, repairs, or failure to address known mechanical issues.
- Airport Operators may be liable for unsafe runway conditions, inadequate lighting, or improper emergency response.
- Government Agencies may be liable for failing to enforce safety regulations.
- Third-Party Contractors: For services fuel delivery or ground operations that contributed to the accident.
Aviation Accident Compensation
Aviation accidents often lead to severe or fatal injuries. Injured victims and the surviving family are entitled to compensation for damages stemming from the accident. You may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Emotional distress
- Lost earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support
Regardless of how your life is disrupted by an aviation accident, it is worth it to get in touch with an attorney who can advise you of your rights.
Contact an Aviation Accident Attorney Today
It is important that you talk to a New York aviation accident attorney as soon as possible in order to protect your legal right to seek damages. A good attorney can help you collect the necessary evidence and hold the negligent parties liable for your losses.
Contact Buttafuoco & Associates at 1-800-NOW-HURT or complete this form for a free case review.
