Aviation Accidents & Injuries Attorney
Aviation Accidents & Injuries Attorney
While air travel is statistically safer than other modes of transportation, airplane accidents still happen. When they do happen, they also typically involve more people and cause more serious injuries and fatalities than other types of accidents. If you or a loved one is a victim of an aviation accident—including in-flight accidents, plane crashes, or helicopter accidents—don’t delay in seeking the help of a qualified aviation accident attorney, like Susan E. Loggans.
Retain an Experienced Chicago Aviation Accident Lawyer
If you have suffered severe injuries, or if a loved one was killed in an aviation accident, it’s important to speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Due to the legal complexities surrounding aviation laws and claims, it’s important to avoid speaking to any insurance company representative without legal counsel.
Call (312) 588-9773 or visit our contact page to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with our personal injury attorneys. We represent clients on a contingency-fee basis – meaning you pay nothing unless you win.
Overview of Aviation Accident Claims
Types of Aviation Accidents & Injuries
Causes of Aviation Accidents
What to Do After an Aviation Accident
Frequently Asked Questions
Types of Aviation Accidents & Injuries
Susan E. Loggans & Associates has a strong reputation for negotiating on behalf of clients with aviation accident issues, such as:
- Issues with common carrier liability
- Travel-related injuries
- Other crashes and accidents
Issues with Common Carrier Liability
A common carrier is a company offering transportation at published rates to the general public, including major airlines. Common carriers are held to a much higher standard of care than other transportation companies, and any breach of its duty of care to passengers may hold the carrier liable to victims for any injuries suffered.
Insurance companies for common carriers will often attempt to get accident victims to quickly agree to a financial settlement in order to avoid litigation. Such offers typically fail to account for the full lifetime of care required after catastrophic injuries, making it especially important to seek legal counsel prior to speaking with any insurance representative.
Travel-Related Injuries
As if traveling wasn’t stressful enough, death and serious injuries can occur as the result of others’ negligence during a trip. These injuries can leave people stranded and waiting for medical care, saddled with massive hospital bills, and even unable to work.
If you have sustained an injury while on a personal or business-related trip due to another’s negligence, you could be entitled to payment for your damages. The award should cover all costs associated with your injury, including medical bills, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and additional expenses.
Other Crashes and Accidents
Susan E. Loggans & Associates also represent people who have been injured or have lost family members in such airline accidents as:
- Commercial airline accidents
- Air medical service (air ambulance, Life Flight) accidents
- In-flight accidents
- Crashes due to air traffic controller errors
- Regional carrier and small plane accidents
- International plane crashes
- Terrorist-related aviation crashes
- Charter or private plane accidents
- General aviation crashes
- Helicopter crashes
Causes of Aviation Accidents
Common causes of aviation incidents include:
- Adverse weather conditions
- Human error, including ground crew and pilot errors
- Mechanical failures
The exact cause of the accident, severity of injuries and property damage, location of the accident, and type of evidence presented in court can all play major roles in the ultimate verdict of an aviation case.
What to Do After an Aviation Accident
If you or a loved one is the victim of an aviation accident, the following steps are advisable:
- If possible, take photos or videos of the accident.
- Keep records of all medical bills and expenses related to the aircraft accident.
- Refrain from making any statements to insurance companies, sending texts, or posting on social media until you retain an airplane accident attorney.
- Seek the help of a qualified legal team who can help you secure a winning verdict.
- Don’t delay in contacting an aviation attorney to avoid statute of limitations issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for filing an aviation accident claim?
The statute of limitations can vary based on where the accident occurred and who the claim is filed against. Common limitations that may apply include:
- International travel cases: File within 2 years
- Cases against the federal government, such as those involving weather reporting or air traffic control errors: Must go through Federal Tort Claims process within 2 years
- Claims against the estate of a deceased individual: File within 6 months
- Negligence cases: File within 1 to 3 years, depending on the specifics of the case
Due to the variance in deadlines, it is important to speak to an expert attorney as soon as possible.
What types of evidence can be used in an aviation accident claim?
The location of an aviation accident case plays a large role in how authorities handle it—and that can be tricky. When an airplane crashes into a body of water, for example, recovery of wreckage or victim remains may be difficult if not impossible. Without remains or wreckage, it can be hard to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Other types of evidence that may be permitted in court include:
- Air traffic control records
- Cockpit voice recorders
- Crash photos
- Flight data recorders (black boxes)
- Flight plans
- Maintenance and inspection records
- NTSB reports
When one suffers in-flight injuries, the evidence may be more limited. That is why, if you are injured in an aviation accident, it is advisable to take photos of the accident scene and attempt to preserve any evidence that could be beneficial to your personal injury case.
Find the Right Aviation Accident Attorney at Susan E. Loggans Law & Associates
Susan E. Loggans & Associates has successfully represented passengers and crew members involved in commercial aviation litigation, in addition to crashes involving private aircraft.
Aviation accidents can be among the scariest of incidents, as we are often powerless to affect the outcome. Whether you are a survivor or have lost a loved one in such an accident, we will fight tirelessly to bring justice and ensure you are fairly compensated for current and future medical expenses, as well emotional pain and suffering.
Call (312) 588-9773 or visit our contact page to schedule a free initial consultation with our expert aviation accident attorney who can review your claims.