What are Aviation Accidents?
Aviation accidents occur in a variety of different situations. While the most common aviation accidents are those involving commercial airlines, many accidents occur with private airplanes, as well as commercial and private helicopters. The leading causes of commercial airline accidents include engine failures, controlled flight into terrain, approach and landing, loss of control, runway incursions and weather (including turbulence). Private or "general" aviation accidents can include controlled flight into terrain, weather, loss of control and runway incursions.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, the investigation is conducted by one or more of the following agencies: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). But, accident investigations may also involve foreign or local authorities, or the Departments of Justice, State and/or Defense. Agencies such as the American Red Cross, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency may also be involved in providing services to victims and their families.
The San Francisco, California aviation accident lawyers of Mary Alexander & Associates have the experience and reputation you need to stand up for your rights when you have been seriously injured or a death has occurred as the result of an aviation accident.
Aviation accidents are extraordinarily rare, aren’t they?
While the aviation industry’s safety record is impressive – and continually improving – accidents happen more frequently than most people realize. That’s because incidents involving commercial airlines – the headline-grabbing accidents that, unfortunately, can involve a large loss of life – are just part of the equation. Many other accidents involve private aircraft – charters, corporate jets, and propeller aircraft flown by professional and weekend pilots alike – as well as commercial and private helicopters.
Aviation accidents can be traced to a variety of causes, too, such as engine failure, loss of control, runway incursions, weather (including turbulence), and human error. The damage can be catastrophic, often including death, severe injury, and heavy property losses. Making matters worse, these incidents often could have been prevented – had a manufacturer, airline, or contractor taken better care, and more appropriate steps.
Who investigates an aircraft accident?
Depending on the circumstances, national, foreign, and even local officials can play a role in an aircraft investigation. On the national level, one or more of the following government agencies will typically be involved: the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB); the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In certain cases, the U.S. Justice, State, and Defense departments will join the investigation as well. When an accident occurs on foreign soil, or involves a foreign carrier or company, agencies from that country may be involved, too. In all cases, the investigations are time- and resource-intensive undertakings, and it can take many months – even years – to unearth the cause or causes of the accident.
Who may be liable in an aviation accident?
Aircraft are complex machines and require a host of companies, agencies, and professionals to operate, including aircraft manufacturers, airlines or aircraft owners, parts manufacturers, maintenance providers, airport operators, government agencies (providing, for example, air traffic control, weather, and inspection services), pilots, and ground crew. When an accident occurs, the negligence of any one of these parties – and often, more than one – may be responsible. Determining who is liable is an essential, but often complicated, early step in any aviation accident.
Why is it important to work with a lawyer who specializes in aviation cases?
The complexity of aviation accident cases makes them unique – and ripe for mistakes when an inexperienced attorney gets involved. A lawyer seasoned in the field not only understands the technical aspects of aviation, and knows how to read – and leverage – the often voluminous, jargon-filled accident reports, but knows how to find, and work with, the top experts in the field. And that’s important because in an aviation case, it’s vital to get outside perspectives on what happened. It’s also important to be able to explain complicated processes and mechanics to judge and jury. That’s where Mary Alexander & Associates comes in. We have more than 25 years’ experience handling complex negligence cases – like aviation accidents. And during that time, we’ve mastered the strategies, nuances, technologies, and bureaucracy that come into play in aviation cases. That’s made us more than a knowing advocate. It makes us a winning one.
How will I pay for your time and expenses?
At Mary Alexander & Associates, we handle aviation cases on a contingent-fee basis. In short, that means the risk is all ours: You pay us only if we are able to obtain a recovery for you, either via a jury award or a settlement. If we are unable to recover an award or settlement, you pay us nothing. Expenses work the same way. We pay all costs of the litigation and get reimbursed only if we successfully conclude the case. It may be your lawsuit, but it’s always our risk. That’s why you can be assured that if we take your case, it’s because we fully intend to win it.
