Understanding the Causes of Aviation Accidents: Can You File a Claim?

Air travel is one of the safest forms of transportation, but when something goes wrong, the consequences are devastating. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a plane crash, it is critical to understand your legal options. Determining what caused the crash and who is responsible can help you pursue compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. 

Common Causes of Aviation Accidents

Many factors contribute to aviation accidents, and most involve some form of human error, mechanical failure, or regulatory violation. Studies have shown that human error causes over 70% of all aviation accidents. Understanding these causes can help determine whether negligence played a role.

• Pilot error: Misjudging weather, ignoring protocols, fatigue, or lack of training.
• Mechanical failure: Engine, system, or structural issues from poor maintenance or defects.
• Air traffic control mistakes: Communication errors or miscalculations leading to crashes.
• Defective aircraft parts: Faulty components due to design or manufacturing flaws.
• Poor maintenance: Skipped inspections or repairs by airlines or private owners.
• Severe weather: Turbulence or storms not properly avoided.
• FAA regulation violations: Noncompliance with federal safety rules.

These causes must be carefully investigated to determine who may be legally responsible and whether the accident could have been prevented. 

Who Can Be Held Liable in an Aviation Accident?

Who is liable depends on what caused the crash. In many cases, more than one party is at fault. If someone’s actions or negligence played a role, victims may be able to file a compensation claim against them.

• Airlines: Commercial carriers may be liable for pilot errors, crew negligence, or failure to maintain their fleet. If the accident stems from poor hiring practices or safety lapses, you may be able to sue an airline for negligence.
• Pilots and crew: In commercial and private flights, pilots and co-pilots must follow flight procedures. Breaching that duty could result in a personal injury lawsuit for an aviation crash.
• Aircraft manufacturers: If defective parts or poor design contributed to the crash, victims may file lawsuits against the company that built or supplied the faulty equipment.
• Maintenance providers: Third-party maintenance contractors who skipped critical repairs or used substandard parts may be held accountable for resulting damages.
• Air traffic controllers: These professionals must adhere to strict protocols. When they make errors that result in an accident, liability may fall on the controller or their employer, such as the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).
• Private aircraft owners or charter companies: If the accident involved a private plane, the aircraft owner or charter service may be responsible for poor maintenance, unqualified pilots, or safety violations.

Determining who is liable in an aviation accident requires a deep investigation into logs, black box data, maintenance records, and communication transcripts. 

How Aviation Accident Attorneys Investigate Crashes

Aviation cases are complex and usually involve working with engineers, former pilots, and federal agencies. At Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., we team up with trusted experts to understand what happened. Here is how we investigate these cases:

• Collecting flight data and black box records
• Interviewing witnesses and crew
• Analyzing maintenance logs and inspection reports
• Reviewing FAA filings and NTSB reports
• Consulting aviation engineers and crash reconstructionists

Our attorneys aim to build a strong case that shows how negligence led to the crash and what damages you are entitled to recover. 

Types of Aviation Accident Claims

Depending on the injury or loss suffered, plane crash victims and surviving family members may pursue several types of claims. Common examples include:

• In-flight injury compensation: Passengers who suffer injuries due to turbulence, faulty equipment, or crew negligence may file a claim, even if the plane did not crash.
• Wrongful death claims: When someone dies in a plane accident, their family may bring an aviation accident wrongful death claim to recover for loss of support, companionship, and funeral costs.
• Product liability claims: Defective aircraft parts or systems may justify lawsuits against aircraft manufacturers, especially when faulty engineering was involved.
• Negligence lawsuits: If pilot error, poor maintenance, or crew mistakes caused the crash, victims may file an airline negligence lawsuit seeking damages.
• Private plane crash lawsuits: Accidents involving privately owned aircraft can be just as severe as commercial crashes. Victims may need legal help to deal with smaller insurers or private operators trying to avoid blame.

Understanding the type of claim that applies is critical to holding the right party accountable and securing financial recovery. 

What Compensation Can Victims Recover?

The losses from an aviation accident are often life-altering. Victims and families may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disability or disfigurement
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of companionship and support

Due to the extreme nature of the injuries and the complexity of liability, these cases often involve large settlements or jury awards. 

When to Contact an Aviation Accident Lawyer

You should contact an attorney as soon as possible after a crash. Crucial evidence can disappear quickly, and deadlines may apply depending on whether the case involves a private operator or a government entity. An experienced aviation lawyer can protect your rights, gather evidence, and build a case to hold the at-fault parties accountable.

At Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., we offer aggressive representation to individuals and families in West Palm Beach and across Florida. Whether you are dealing with a catastrophic injury or the loss of a loved one, our team can guide you through every legal step. 

Talk to a West Palm Beach Aviation Accident Attorney

You shouldn’t have to face this alone. If you were injured in a plane crash or in-flight incident, Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. is here to help. Our team knows how to hold airlines, manufacturers, and other parties accountable, and we’re ready to fight for the justice you deserve.

At Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., our aviation accident attorneys are ready to investigate your case and pursue justice. Contact us online today or call (561) 689-8180 for a free consultation.