Fort Lauderdale Airplane Accident Lawyer
While they are rare, aviation accidents can be some of the most dangerous types of crashes, often ending with serious trauma or death. The financial damages rendered from an airplane or helicopter crash are often monumental as well, sometimes causing millions of dollars in property damage. If you were in any type of aviation crash, you may be able to collect damages to pay for your injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering. Contact our Fort Lauderdale airplane accident lawyers for more information.
Pilot Error is One of the Top Causes of Aviation Accidents
Commercial airline travel is one ofhe safest methods of transportation. In 2014 there were just 761 deaths in world wide. Compared to motor vehicle fatalities at over 30,000 deaths a year in the U.S. alone, commercial air travel sounds pretty safe indeed. But people spend more time in cars than planes. Wouldn’t that account for more car fatalities just because the odds? The answer to that is no. There are 1.3 fatalities per hundred million miles driven, compared to just three fatalities per 10 billion passenger miles flown in commercial aircrafts, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Commercial flights may be an incredibly safe form of travel, despite what the media decides to report, but private flights are, in fact, quite a bit more dangerous than commercial. Commercial pilots log thousands of flight hours and have strict rules and regulations to follow. Many recreational pilots fly infrequently, and without regular practice, the skills they learned when they got their license begin to fade.
Typically, recreational flights are made up of family members and friends of the pilot. If the plane crashes, the fact that the pilot was a member of the family should not stop the victims from filing a personal injury claim. Most often, the pilot’s insurance company will handle personal injury lawsuits and settlements, not the pilot.
On the other hand, if it was a commercial airline pilot’s negligence that caused a crash, you may be able to seek damages from the pilot’s employer.
Mechanical Difficulties
Another frequent cause of aircraft accidents is mechanical difficulties. This includes problems with the design, manufacturing, and assembly of all the parts on an aircraft.
Maintenance Issues
With tens of millions of miles flown in a typical commercial jet’s lifetime, regular maintenance is crucial for proper functioning. Private aircraft also needs regular maintenance, which might not be performed routinely due to infrequent use. Whatever the type of aircraft, all pilots must ensure that their aircraft is in good condition and perform all pre-flight checks. If these precautions are disregarded and an accident occurs, the pilot could once again be held responsible.
Liability can also be placed on commercial and charter flight companies if maintenance issues caused an accident. They have the responsibility to ensure that their staff and mechanics carry out their jobs properly. If supervision fails in this regard, the commercial or charter airline could be held negligent.
Damages
If a loved one was victim of a fatal aircraft crash, or if you or a loved one was injured in an aircraft accident, you may be able to receive compensation to pay for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. The Fort Lauderdale aviation accident lawyers at the Pendas Law Firm have significant experience in plane accidents and we are prepared to assist you today.
