Westchester County Airplane Crash

Even though air travel is safe a plane crash can still happen unexpectedly, causing severe emotional pain and severe injury. Such injuries such as brain trauma or broken bones require extensive treatment and long recovery times. Recovering victims often miss weeks or months of work. Others never return to work because their injuries are permanent. Sadly, the vast majority of airplane crash victims do not survive. The families of lost loved ones are left emotionally devastated and may also suffer financially. Dealing with a plane crash can be difficult since there are different laws that pertain to aircraft and can include not only state and federal law, but also international law. At such an emotional time it is critical to consult with an experienced Westchester County airplane crash lawyer before making decisions about a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

There are many factors that can cause an aviation accident. Keep in mind that an aviation accident includes not only plane crashes, but also involve injuries that happen on planes such as luggage falling on passengers, on the jetway, on the stairs to the plane and in the airport. When a plane does crash, examples of causes include:

• Pilot error
• Air traffic control error
• Poorly maintained equipment
• Defective equipment
• Poor weather
• Turbulence
• Fuel problems

The National Transportation Safety Board is responsible for investigating airplane, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Aviation Administration, is responsible for investigating airplane crashes and determining the cause. Depending on the cause of the accident, fault will be determined. Defendants in airline crash claims may be the airline, the manufacturer of the airplane, the federal government or another party.

Victims who survive aviation accidents often suffer serious injuries such as brain injuries, amputations, and burns. This means that victims will face significant medical bills and may not be able to work for a long time after the accident. In many cases victims are never able to return to work. Through a personal injury claim a victim of a aviation accident can demand compensation from the person whose negligence caused the accident to help pay for the medical bills and other losses sustained. Compensable losses include:

• Medical expenses: Serious injuries are expensive to treat. For example, victims with traumatic brain injuries may require a number of specialists such as a neurologist, psychiatrist, neuropsychologist, and occupational therapists. Other expenses include hospital fees, medication, lab tests, and medical equipment.
• Lost wages: Victims who suffer serious injuries miss work. This means missed paychecks, used vacation and sick days, missed bonuses and promotions, and other missed compensation and benefits. Victims who suffer permanent injuries may find that promising careers are cut short and as a result their lifetime earning potential is limited.
• Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering refers to both the physical pain and emotional distress that victims of serious accidents experience. Indicators of emotional distress include depression, anxiety, inability to sleep, and irritability.
• Wrongful death. Sadly, when a plane crashes, more often than not there are few if any survivors. The personal representative of victims killed in airplane crashes can file wrongful death claims and demand compensation.

Depending on who is at fault, there are different statutes that apply to filing personal injury and wrongful death claims.

If you were seriously injured and are facing financial problems because you were in a plane accident, the person or company responsible for your injuries should be held accountable. To ensure that your legal rights are protected and that your case is properly handled, it is vital that you are represented by attorneys with experience. Contact the attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims that result from catastrophic accidents such as accidents involving commercial planes, private jets and helicopters. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.