I was injured in an airplane accident or helicopter accident. What are my rights?
If you have been injured in an aviation accident, in most cases you have the same rights to seek compensation that you would have if you or a loved one had been injured in a car accident. It must be established, however, that your injuries are the result of negligence or wrongdoing on the part of another person or company.
How is the cause of the accident determined?
When an aircraft accident occurs, determining the cause of an aviation accident can be extremely complicated and require specialized aviation knowledge. A lot of government agencies can be involved in determining the cause. The National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may all be called upon to investigate an aviation accident. In addition, local authorities can be called in.
An aviation accident lawyer that understands the federal and aviation jargon is critical for protecting the rights of the victims. An aviation accident attorney is capable of providing you with the legal representation you need if you or a loved one has been injured in an aircraft accident.
Who is liable for the injuries I received in an aviation accident?
The responsible parties or companies will vary depending on the resulting cause of the accident as determined by the investigators. The potential defendants can include the owner and operator of the aircraft, manufacturers or maintenance suppliers, the pilot, and the airline.
Can the federal government be held responsible?
Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) enacted by Congress, private parties can sue the United States in a federal court for torts committed by persons acting on behalf of the United States. There are cases where the United States has been sued for the negligence of an air traffic controller that led to an aviation accident.
Are there limits on what I can recover if I'm injured in a plane crash?
In some cases, your ability to seek compensation following an aviation accident may be limited if you entered a formal legal agreement prior to the flight that limits the flight operator’s liability. However, the existence of such an agreement does not necessarily mean you will be unable to successfully seek compensation. It is important to have an attorney investigate your accident to decide whether you are able to pursue a claim.
Aviation injury claims bring unique challenges and should not be handled by attorneys or law firms without experience in aircraft accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in an airplane crash or helicopter crash, the airplane accident attorney at the Wyly Law Firm has the experience necessary to provide you with knowledgeable representation in an aircraft injury claim. We will fight for you to receive the compensation you need and deserve. Call us today at 713.574.7034 or use our online contact form. We serve clients throughout Texas, including Harris County, Beaumont, Baytown, Galveston, Pasadena and Houston.
