Airplane Accidents & Injury Help Center
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Frequently Asked Questions about Airplane Accidents and Injuries
Q: Who can be held responsible to the injured parties in an air crash?
A: Potentially liable parties vary depending on the cause of the accident. The owner and operator of the aircraft certainly may be liable. Manufacturers or maintenance suppliers may be liable in certain circumstances. An experienced aviation attorney is essential in identifying all possible claims and defendants.
Q: Can the owner/operator be held criminally liable?
A: Both the federal government and individual states can impose criminal sanctions in cases involving aviation. Although the classifications and details may vary between them, most states impose criminal sanctions on aviators for reckless conduct that leads to injury, death, or property damage. The difficulty in prosecuting these cases lies in differentiating between cases of negligence and mere accidents.
Approximately 20 emergency landings are made by U.S. commercial airlines every month.
Houston, Texas, Aviation Accident Lawyers
The Krist Law Firm, in League City, Texas, a component of the greater Houston area, has focused on representing the victims of aviation accidents for years, including representing families of the victims of all three major space program disasters: the Apollo 1 fire, the Challenger explosion and the Columbia disaster. We continue to push hard for success in aviation accident cases, using the experience we've gained in 40 years of legal practice, including these high-profile matters.
Airplane Accidents and Injuries - An Overview
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air travel is expected to double over the next 20 years. As air traffic increases so does the risk of an aviation accident. Generally, air traffic is considered to be a safe means of transportation, but when accidents do occur they often result in absolute fatalities. Smaller, less serious accidents involving private aircraft are more frequent than people realize because most of these airline incidents are unreported.
Potentially liable (legally responsible) parties vary depending on the cause of the accident. The owner and operator of the aircraft certainly may be liable; manufacturers or maintenance suppliers may be liable in certain circumstances; even the federal government may bear some responsibility in an aircraft accident.
Strict Liability in Aviation Accidents
While pilot error usually plays a part in aircraft accidents but problems with the aircraft or its component parts may contribute to the accident or the severity of injuries suffered. In those cases, the manufacturer of the aircraft, or the manufacturer of a component part, may share the legal blame with pilots for the crashes or for the injuries the accident caused under the legal theory of strict liability.
Criminal Liability in Aviation Accidents
In addition to a civil claim against individuals or entities for causing an aviation accident, the government may also pursue criminal sanctions. Both the federal government and individual states can impose criminal sanctions in cases involving aviation. Although the classifications and details may vary between them, most states impose criminal sanctions on aviators for reckless conduct that leads to injury, death, or property damage.
Aviation Safety Tips
The severity of injuries suffered in a serious aviation accident depends on many factors. Most people assume there isn't very much an individual can do to protect themselves. However, there are some general safety tips to follow when you travel by air.
Settlements and Damages In Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death actions can be very complicated, as the wrongful acts of several parties may have contributed to an individual's death. Pre-trial, out of court settlements are common in wrongful death cases, because most defendants want to avoid the publicity of having caused a death. When such out-of-court settlements occur, a reduction of the wrongful death damages award issued by a judge or jury will also occur. Thus, if a plaintiff settles a claim against one defendant, the plaintiff's recovery from any other defendant is thereby reduced. Additionally, the plaintiff's release of one defendant frees that defendant from liability to contribute to any other defendant, and waives his/her claim for any contribution from co-defendants. In other words, the released defendant is out of the action, and the remaining defendant(s) will pay no more than their comparative share of the culpable conduct as found by the jury.
Airplane Accidents and Injuries Resource Links
The Department of Transportation (DOT) Aviation Consumer Protection Division
Oversees consumer issues related to air travel.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Responsible for ensuring that the manufacture, operation, and maintenance of all aircraft meet minimum standards and all current regulations.
The National Transportation Board (NTSB)
Responsible for improving air travel safety by investigating all accidents and problems related to the aviation industry and recommending any changes that may be necessary.
