Those afraid of flying are often comforted by the knowledge that air travel is statistically much safer than traveling by car. While there is some truth to this statement, when aviation accidents do happen, the results are often far more devastating to the passengers aboard. People involved in plane crashes are far likelier to suffer from fatal injuries compared to victims of car accidents. Contact our Norcross aviation accident lawyers today.
If you have been injured in an aviation accident, you face a variety of overwhelming obstacles. Physical injuries, medical expenses, loss of a loved one, and lost wages can all add to the devastation of the initial accident. Airplane accidents are known for causing devastating injuries, such as broken bones, burns, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
All of these injuries can cause costly care expenses. After a plane crash, contact a lawyer right away. You may be able to pursue a claim for financial compensation and hold the parties that caused your injuries legally responsible for their negligence.
We Have Some of the Best Aviation Accident Lawyers in Norcross
Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. is a personal injury firm dedicated to seeking the best possible legal outcomes for our clients. We understand the irreversible impact that serious injuries have on aviation accident victims. Our experienced personal injury lawyer in Duluth will fight until injury victims and their families have the resources they need to move forward from their injury claims.
If you are looking for a skilled aviation injury attorney in Norcross, Gwinnett County, or anywhere in the Greater Atlanta area, call our office today or contact us online for a free consultation.
What are the Common Causes of Aviation Accidents in Norcross?
While aircraft manufacturers, airlines, mechanics, crews, and individuals who operate planes work to make sure that flying is a safe experience, not every flight goes as intended. Though accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, the following are common causes of airplane crashes:
- Human error – This can include a pilot’s error during the flight or while taxiing on the runway. Additionally, crew members servicing the plane during preflight preparation could miss important maintenance cues.
- Defective Equipment – About 20% of aviation accidents are caused by mechanical failure of some kind. Many parts of airplanes are dependent on other systems to work properly. For this reason, a mechanical issue with one plane system can have a domino effect on the plane’s functionality – and safety – as a whole.
- FAA Violations – The Federal Aviation Administration puts regulations in place to hold airlines and plane owners to suitable safety standards. Violations of these regulations could mean that a plane isn’t safe to travel, doesn’t have the correct registration, is flying in unsafe areas, or other issues that place passengers in danger.
- Design Issues – If a plane is poorly designed, it may have inherent flaws that put its passengers at risk.
- Weather Conditions – When traveling by plane, the weather can be a serious threat to a plane’s safe travel. While crews and air traffic control plan as best as possible, irregular weather can put additional strain on the structural integrity of planes as a whole.
These are just a few common causes of airplane accidents. If you have been injured in an aviation accident caused by these or other incidents, you should reach out to the airplane accident attorneys in Norcross at Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. right away.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Plane Crash in Georgia?
Establishing responsibility for an accident is an important step in recovering financial compensation. The distinct factors of each case will determine who is ultimately held liable.
Aviation issues are often more complex than other injury cases because airlines and carriers are governed by different laws at the state and federal levels. The following are examples of parties that may be held accountable for accidents:
- Airlines – Many major airlines are classified by law as “common carriers.” Compared to private or chartered airlines, common carriers face the strictest rules and regulations since they transport anyone who is able to purchase a ticket. The FAA is responsible for regulating common carriers. When filing a claim against an airline, it’s best to have the help of a lawyer well-versed in FAA regulations.
- Owner or Operator – The owner of a plane or another type of aircraft is held to a high legal standard when people are injured in or around their property. Even if the owner of the plane was not operating it at the time of the accident, if the pilot injured others because of reckless or negligent behavior, the owner of the plane could be held accountable under the concept of vicarious liability or negligent entrustment, for example.
- Manufacturer – The manufacturer responsible for the design, planning, and assembly of the plane could be held accountable for the accident. It must be proven, however, that a manufacturing issue, defective part, or defective design was ultimately the cause. Under strict liability in Georgia, negligence does not need to be proven if there was a malfunctioning or dangerous part caused by manufacturing.
The responsibility for an aviation accident can fall to numerous parties. It is possible to hold multiple parties accountable for your injuries.
Investigating Aviation Accidents
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent government agency that plays an important role in investigating both commercial and civilian aviation accidents. In some instances, the FAA will step in for investigations, but the NTSB is typically the first line for investigating the events surrounding an aviation incident.
A lawyer can also play an important role in investigating an accident. Looking into the chain of events that led to an accident can reveal what the ultimate cause was, as well as identify the liable parties. A full and thorough investigation will help your lawyer understand what exactly happened the day you were injured so that they can better represent your case.
To fully investigate a plane accident, many sources and documents must be considered, like FAA documentation, manufacturing, and aircraft design, flight logs, aircraft maintenance information, employment information, statements from any involved crew, victims, and witnesses, and more.