New York Airplane Accident Attorney

It is often said that taking a plane is safer than riding in a car. No matter how much reassurance you may receive, however, the fact remains that while airplane accidents are relatively rare, they are nearly always fatal. And when there is an accident, a survivor or his family needs a New York airplane attorney to help receive compensation.

Commercial Flights & Private Planes

Most airplane accidents that make national news involve commercial aircraft. In fact, private plane crashes are much more common. A highly publicized accident involved New York Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle, who with his flight instructor lost his life when his Cirrus crashed into a Manhattan high-rise. Lidle’s family sued the manufacturer for improper plane design, while individuals who incurred damage to their property sued Lidle’s insurer. Ultimately, the courts determined that pilot error was the cause of the accident, and a settlement of $2 million was reached between the insurer and plaintiffs.
This case illustrates both the tragic consequences of one of the most common causes of airplane crashes – pilot error – and how complex lawsuits can become. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) is given authority to investigate fully all fatal airplane accidents, but whether because of financial constraints or political motivation, many small plane crashes only receive cursory review. It is then up to a New York airplane accident attorney to give his client the benefit of a fuller investigation.

What Causes Commercial Accidents?

A survey in 2006 concluded that 51% of commercial airline accidents are due to pilot error, with mechanical failure (21%), weather (11%), and air traffic controller error (8%) accounting for most others. It should be noted, however, that not all airplane accidents involve crashes. Many passengers are injured when turbulence causes the plane to drop or bounce; service carts may bump into an individual returning to her seat, knocking her to the floor; a server may spill hot coffee; moreover, sudden descents and hard landings can cause decompression injuries, broken bones, and injuries to the back, head, and neck.
Aviation law is governed by the FAA domestically and by the International Civil Aviation Organization for overseas flights. When a New York airplane accident attorney takes a case, he must not only investigate his client’s case, but he must also determine which laws are relevant to the accident. Ultimately, if it can be established that the client was injured due to the negligence or fault of another person or entity, the attorney may be able to help the client gain compensation for medical costs, loss of income, pain, and suffering. If the victim died in a plane crash, the family may be able to file a wrongful death suit to recover funeral costs, loss of future income, and loss of companionship, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York personal injury accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496) for a free and comprehensive consultation. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.