Aircraft travel remains one of the safest ways to travel, but aviation accidents in Miami and throughout the county remain common. These accidents may include aircrafts from helicopters to drones and more.
The words "aviation accident" may instantly conjure images of a traditional passenger airplane but these accidents cover a much broader array of accidents than simply planes. Skydiving, gliders, military aviation, hot air balloons, air traffic control accidents, all of these can be considered a type of aviation accident.
It can be a challenge to determine exactly what caused a plane, jet or helicopter to crash, and the process is typically lengthy, sometimes taking years. Occasionally, FAA inspectors need to work with international authorities to retrieve the aircraft's "black box," a storage machine with a solid-state memory card designed to withstand crashes or harsh environments. These black boxes maintain the crucial moments just before a collision so authorities have an understanding of what occurred in the cockpit to prevent an event such as a crash from happening again.
Aviation crashes can happen due to many different reasons. For example, the pilot may violate FAA regulations such as landing on the wrong runway or violating airspace. The air traffic controller may make a critical error or the plane was not properly inspected prior to takeoff. Other common reasons include defective equipment, not performing proper maintenance or an issue with fuel intake.
In aviation accident cases, different parties may be held liable depending on the circumstances of the cases. If there was a defect in the aircraft itself, for example, the manufacturer may be at fault for any injuries caused as a result of the defect. When an aircraft owner is found to have been negligent when operating the aircraft, then it is possible that he or she will be held responsible for damages to injured parties. The pilot may also be held liable under the vicarious liability principle, also known as respondeat superior, which is where the employer is responsible for the employee's conduct throughout the entirety of their employment.
Whether you were injured or a loved one lost their life in an aircraft crash, you can be given multiple forms of compensation. You may be compensated for financial damages and costs due to the injuries, such as medical bills, missed income and property damages. You may also receive compensation for nonphysical losses, such as suffering and pain or becoming disfigured.
In the case of a wrongful death suit, the surviving relatives of the deceased will be entitled to seek compensation for their loved one's loss, in addition to financial damages. This may include damages due to the loss of companionship, assistance, and partnership damages. A family can also recover funeral expenses.
The general information provided above about aviation accidents in Fort Lauderdale is meant for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for speaking directly with an attorney about the facts and circumstances of your case. Please call 954-500-0003 in Broward or 305-674-0003 in Miami to schedule a consultation with the Law Offices of Mark Eiglarsh.