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 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 For Aviation Accident Claims in Washington D.C.
- 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 in Washington D.C.
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 in DC
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.
Aviation accidents most commonly occur while the aircraft is still on the ground: taxing on the runway, during takeoff or while landing. However, mid-air collisions and inflight accidents do happen. It is up to all parties involved – the pilot, owner of the aircraft, plane manufacturer, maintenance team and ground controllers – to ensure the reasonable safety of a flight. Any type of negligence or human error could lead to a tragic aviation event. 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.
How Can an Attorney Support Your DC Aviation Accident Case?
During an aviation accident lawsuit or any other type of personal injury claim, the insurance company taking your case may try to convince you to settle for less compensation than your injuries demand. Insurance companies want to save money, not maximize how much they pay you in damages. Hiring the right attorney could allow you to combat tactics from insurance claims adjusters to obtain maximum financial compensation. Your attorney can take care of complicated legal and insurance processes on your behalf, including investigating the cause of your aviation accident.
What to Do After an Aviation Accident in Washington D.C.
If you or someone you know was in an aviation accident, collect as much evidence and information as possible. Take photographs, request copies of medical records related to your injuries, and get a copy of your police and/or Federal Aviation Administration report. Keep a folder with all your crash-related documents. Then, contact an attorney. Aviation accident claims can be difficult to litigate as an injured party. The best thing to do for your case is to hire a DC aviation accident attorney to investigate and gather evidence for you. Assistance from a lawyer could greatly improve your chances of holding one or more parties accountable for your damages.
Contact Our Aviation Accident Lawyers in DC Today
An aviation accident could cause life-altering injuries such as multiple fractures, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, psychological damage, and wrongful death. At Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP, we work hard on behalf of injured aviation accident victims and surviving family members. We may be able to demand justice and maximum compensation for your aviation accident. Learn more today by requesting a free consultation with our local lawyers. Contact our DC office at (202) 796-3291 or by submitting our online form.