A plane crash is a traumatic, life-altering experience. In addition to dealing with serious physical injuries, crash survivors may face emotional trauma, financial hardship, and a lengthy recovery process. An experienced Temecula plane crash accident lawyer can help injured victims and families pursue compensation for damages.
The attorneys at Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers have over 25 years of experience handling aviation accident claims and complex personal injury lawsuits. We fight aggressively to help injured victims recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and more. Contact our Temecula law offices at (951) 699-2100 for a free consultation with a dedicated plane crash attorney.
Common Causes of Fatal Plane Crashes
While commercial airline travel is statistically extremely safe, accidents still happen and can result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities when they do. According to analyses by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), some of the most common causes of deadly plane crashes include:
- Pilot error – Mistakes made by pilots include poor decision making, inadequate training, or a loss of situational awareness.
- Mechanical failure – Equipment malfunctions can cause engine failure, electrical problems, faulty landing gear and more. Airlines are responsible for proper maintenance and pre-flight safety checks.
- Hazardous weather – Ice, dense fog, powerful winds, and storms can quickly turn hazardous for small private planes or jets. Pilots must stick to flight plans and exercise extreme caution in bad weather.
- Manufacturing defects – Aircraft defects or part defects that slip through quality control checks can put entire fleets of planes at risk of accidents. Manufacturers may be liable for dangerous designs or equipment.
Quick, decisive action by experienced aviation accident attorneys can help protect an injured passenger or family’s right to fair compensation in a plane crash lawsuit.
Who Can Be Held Liable in an Aviation Accident?
Given the complexity of safely operating passenger aircraft, there are multiple parties who may share liability when negligence or errors cause a crash. Potential defendants include:
Pilots
- Pilot errors like poor decision making, loss of control, disregard of safety protocols, or operating aircraft while fatigued or intoxicated
Airlines
- Failure to properly maintain aircraft, inadequate crew training, or pushing unsafe flight schedules
Air Traffic Controllers
- Unsafely directing takeoffs or landings, or failing to warn pilots of hazardous conditions
Manufacturers
- Design flaws, defective aircraft components, or failure to provide adequate safety features
Maintenance Providers
- Failure to properly service aircraft systems and components or address critical safety issues
Government Agencies
- Failure to update inadequate aviation safety regulations or properly inspect aircraft or crews.
With extensive legal experience handling aviation accident claims, our attorneys at Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers can identify all potentially negligent parties who contributed to a crash. We fight relentlessly to hold them fully liable for the harms and losses inflicted on injured victims and grieving families.
What Damages Can Be Recovered After a Plane Crash?
Surviving a catastrophic airplane crash comes with steep medical costs, income losses, and other economic damages. While no amount of money can make up for serious crash injuries or lost loved ones, financial recovery is invaluable for victims and families. An experienced Temecula aviation accident lawyer can pursue compensation for:
Medical Expenses
- Emergency transport
- Hospitalization
- Surgeries and procedures
- Prescription medications
- Rehabilitation services
- Ongoing care.
Lost Income
- Missed work days
- Loss of earning capacity
- Diminished ability to work
- Loss of business or accounts.
Pain and Suffering
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or disability.
Wrongful Death Damages
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of financial support.
Punitive Damages
- Money awarded to victims to punish defendants for gross negligence or recklessness.
Our experienced aviation accident attorneys at Zucker Personal Injury build strong cases to pursue maximum financial recovery for injured clients. Call (951) 699-2100 today for a free consultation.
Why Do I Need an Aviation Attorney?
Many serious plane crash victims and bereaved families do not realize they need to take quick legal action or miss out on the compensation they deserve. An aviation lawyer can protect your rights in several key ways after a catastrophic crash, including:
- Launching an independent investigation into the accident to preserve evidence before it is lost
- Identifying all potentially liable parties, which may include pilots, airlines, manufacturers, maintenance providers, and more
- Determining the full scope of damages and losses suffered
- Calculating the maximum fair settlement value of your claim
- Skillfully negotiating with insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve
- Taking aggressive legal action in court if fair settlements cannot be reached out of court.
By trusting an accomplished Temecula aviation accident attorney at Zucker Personal Injury, you can focus on healing while we build a strong claim. Our personal injury lawyers offer complimentary case evaluations to plane crash victims and families. Call (951) 699-2100 today.
Time Limit for Filing an Aviation Accident Lawsuit
Like other types of accident injury claims, aviation crash lawsuits have strict statutes of limitations, which are defined time limits for filing a lawsuit. In California, the statutes of limitations for airplane accidents are:
- Two years for a personal injury lawsuit
- Two years for a wrongful death lawsuit.
If you miss the deadline to file your plane crash injury claim, you lose your right to sue for damages.
It typically takes at least several weeks for aviation accident investigators to determine an official probable cause of a crash. Injured victims and grieving families should immediately consult an experienced Temecula aviation lawyer who can take swift action to protect your rights.
Call the highly trusted Zucker Personal Injury law firm. Our firm has a proven track record of success handling aviation accident claims, including serious injuries and wrongful death. Call (951) 699-2100 for dedicated representation.
What Are Common Injuries Sustained in Plane Crashes?
Given the extreme forces involved when a plane rapidly descends, crashes and breaks apart mid-flight, accident injuries are often catastrophic or fatal. Some of the most common serious injuries sustained in plane crashes include:
- Blunt force trauma – This encompasses fractures, lacerations, internal bleeding, or organ damage from high-impact forces
- Burn injuries – Victims often suffer severe external and internal burns from explosions or fires at the crash site.
- Spinal cord injuries – Backbone fractures, injured spinal disks, or spinal cord lacerations may cause paralysis.
- Traumatic brain injuries – Collision forces or lack of oxygen can cause severe head or brain injuries with lifelong effects.
- Amputations – Crush injuries may require amputation of limbs when limbs or extremities cannot be saved.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder – Mental trauma and PTSD are common even among survivors without physical injuries.
Seeking immediate emergency medical intervention is critical for plane crash victims. Our experienced personal injury attorneys at the Zucker law firm help victims get compensation for all crash related medical costs and trauma.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Plane Crash Wrongful Death Claim?
When a beloved family member dies in an avoidable plane crash, grieving families deserve to hold any negligent parties fully accountable. An aviation accident lawyer can file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of companionship, protection, and/or consortium (marital relations)
- Loss of financial support and inheritance
- Pre-death pain and suffering experienced by the deceased
- Punitive damages intended to punish defendants.
Though money can never replace the tragic loss of life, financial recovery can help bring a sense of justice and closure while easing the economic burden on families. Get help from an experienced aviation accident attorney at Zucker Personal Injury. We can handle your wrongful death claim with compassion, dedication, and the skill it takes to win. Call our Temecula law offices today at (951) 699-2100 for a free case review.
Why Choose Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been harmed in a Southern California aviation crash, the award-winning attorneys at Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers are here to help. Call (951) 699-2100 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.
- Dedicated aviation accident attorneys – Our attorneys focus on catastrophic personal injury cases aviation crash claims. We have the specialized knowledge and skills to handle complex air disaster litigation.
- Proven track record of success – Our personal injury lawyers have secured millions for injured clients and families in verdicts and settlements.
- We go the extra mile – Each client gets individualized attention from our attorneys. We consistently communicate, offer case updates, and provide clear answers to our clients’ concerns.
- We are trial-tested – Founding attorney Andrew Zucker has litigated over 40 jury trials. The aviation companies know we are willing to go to trial if needed to secure justice.
- No fees unless we win – We take cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay us no attorney fees whatsoever unless we obtain compensation for you.
For dedicated representation from a compassionate and strategic aviation accident attorney in Temecula, contact Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers at (951) 699-2100. We offer a FREE case evaluation to give you initial guidance on your potential claim. Call us today.
