Plane Crashes

Florida residents and tourists often travel by plane. Whether a trip is intended to get from one city to another, or to enjoy views of the coasts, it is very popular throughout the state. However, as enjoyable as planes are, they can also be dangerous if a pilot or company does not take proper steps to ensure passenger safety. Many factors can contribute to a plane crash, and therefore multiple parties may be responsible for any harms that result. The injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon represent individuals from Miami and the surrounding cities that have been hurt in this type of accident. Our firm handles complex aviation cases, helping victims pursue appropriate financial reimbursement. We serve clients in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, as well as throughout Florida.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Florida hosts the second-greatest number of FAA certified pilots in the nation, following only California. With so many people taking to the sky, the likelihood of crashes also increases. According to the FAA, the following are the most common reasons for accidents involving planes:

• Pilot error, inexperience, and physical condition;
• Design of an aircraft;
• Inadequate maintenance;
• Mechanical issues; and
• Weather conditions.

These factors, as well as others, can result in midair collisions, operational errors, and runway crashes. Although it is usually the commercial airline crashes that make the national news, small aircraft are often the ones that are involved in accidents that can leave victims severely hurt. In addition, it can be especially difficult to figure out what went wrong in many of these incidents, since an investigation requires significant time as well as the skills of experts to determine cause and fault.

Pilot error is the leading cause of plane crash injuries. These errors can take various forms, including operating a plane in dangerous weather conditions, mistakes during take off or climb, improper maneuvering, or landing accidents. If you have been hurt in a plane crash, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against those responsible, including a pilot, airline, or a plane’s private owner. Pilots who are negligent when flying a plane can be held liable for damages. To establish negligence, an injured plaintiff must show that he or she was owed a duty of care, that the duty was breached by the pilot’s actions, that the breach resulted in injuries, and that the victim sustained damages. For instance, if a pilot decides to fly during a severe thunderstorm, knowing that it is not advisable to do so, and a plane crash results, he or she may be found negligent.

If you are involved in a plane crash, you may sustain serious harm, including traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, or spinal cord damage such as paralysis. These events can be costly, in addition to requiring a lifetime of care. Compensation available to victims can include past and future medical expenses, loss of income, and lost earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering.

In the event that a family member loses his or her life in a plane crash, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim to recover damages for burial and funeral expenses, among other losses based on your relationship to your loved one. Timing is vital in any of these claims, since a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within four years from the date of an accident, and a wrongful death claim must be filed within two years of a victim’s passing.

If you have been hurt, or have lost a loved one, in a plane crash near the Miami area, the skilled accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon can help. Our firm offers compassionate and knowledgeable legal representation, and we believe that victims who have been harmed as a result of a careless pilot or other negligent party should be able to assert their rights against those at fault. Call 877.499.4878 or contact us online to set up a free, no-obligation consultation about your case.