Washington, D.C. Plane Crash Attorney

Although the odds of being involved in an aviation accident are much lower than the everyday possibility of a car crash, when they do take place, the damage and extent of injuries are often catastrophic. If you have suffered injuries or a loved one has been killed in an aviation accident, contact Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, LLP to speak with a lawyer highly experienced with these types of cases. We offer free consultations, call today to discuss your options for obtaining compensation.

Why Choose Our Firm

• Our firm has had numerous successful outcomes against major corporations, obtaining a total in compensation of over $1 billion for our clients.
• We bring more than 38 years of experience to every case.
• We will work tirelessly to get you the medical help and compensation you deserve after an aviation accident.
• You only pay legal fees if we win.

Common Causes of Aviation Accidents

The most common causes of aviation accident are due to: 

Human Error

Pilot error is the leading cause of aviation accidents, responsible for 53% of all accidents. Errors tend to occur mid flight or while the plane is taxiing from one place to another on an airport. Mistakes also can happen when the plane is grounded and being fueled, loaded, or worked on for maintenance purposes.

Mechanical Failure

Faulty equipment or parts is the source for approximately 20% of airplane accidents. The aircraft, its equipment, or its parts can either be defective in nature or contribute to an accident by failing after a human error has already occurred, such as a lack of maintenance.

Weather

Hazardous weather conditions result in about 10% of accidents.

Sabotage

Roughly 10% of aircraft accidents are due to sabotage. This includes hijackings, bombs, and shoot-downs.

Liability for Aviation Accidents

Liable parties vary in each accident depending on the cause. Possible defendants can include:

• The Pilot – If the pilot’s negligent actions caused the accident, they may be personally liable. The pilot’s employer could also bear responsibility.

• Owner of the aircraft – Under “vicarious liability,” the owner can be held accountable even if they were not operating the plane, if found to have been negligent in hiring a pilot who lacked proper training or for supplying a defective airplane.

• Manufacturer or seller of either the plane or its parts – If the accident was a result of an equipment defect, the manufacturer or seller of the plane or of the defective parts may be to blame. Claims of this nature would fall under “product liability” or “strict liability.”

• Federal government – If an air traffic control error lead to an aviation accident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) could be liable, as they oversee and are responsible for Air Traffic Control.

The circumstances surrounding each aviation accident differ, but typically, personal injury or wrongful death claims will be filed as standard negligence claims, product liability, or both.

Why You Will Require an Aviation Accident Lawyer

Due to the complex nature of aviation accident claims and the possibility of multiple liable parties, it’s important to seek legal assistance as immediately as you are able. An aviation accident lawyer will have a network of industry experts to investigate the crash and determine fault, ensuring that important evidence is preserved and your right to recover compensation is protected. By hiring representation, you will have someone advocating for you who has extensive experience dealing with insurance companies and who is able to protect you from settling for any amount lower than what you deserve.

Contact Us Today

Our aviation accident lawyers at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, LLP are committed to helping victims heal and recover the compensation they are owed for their losses. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss and evaluate your case. Fill out our online contact form or call (202) 796-3291 today.