If you suffered injuries in an airplane accident due to someone’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct, do not hesitate to contact the St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys of Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers. We could provide legal representation and assistance in a case against the at-fault party. You might be entitled to compensation for your injuries and resulting losses, such as lost wages, medical treatment, and out-of-pocket expenses.
At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, we know how traumatic it can be when an accident leaves you injured, especially when it wasn’t your fault. Airplane accidents include more than crashes. Anyone could get hurt simply walking down the aisle or sitting in their seat. Various scenarios can endanger the safety and lives of the passengers. Sometimes, dangerous situations arise during landing or takeoff.
When you sustain an injury, you might require hospitalization, physical therapy, prescription drugs, and other forms of treatment to heal. Medical bills are often too expensive for most people to afford. If you can’t pay for the cost of your medical care, you could face significant debt. The financial strain is overwhelming and stressful.
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers will aggressively seek the maximum possible compensation so you can cover the expenses you incur from the accident. You should not pay for anything out of pocket when someone else is entirely at fault for your injury. Our airplane accident attorneys in St. Petersburg, FL, are ready to investigate your case and obtain the available evidence to determine the identity of the party who is responsible for what happened.
Call Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers for your free consultation today at (727) 605-1100 to discuss your legal matter with us and learn more about our services.
Common Types of Airplane Accidents
Multiple people are responsible for keeping airplane passengers safe. Flight attendants must recognize potential dangers and address them promptly to avoid an accident. The pilot’s job is to take off, fly the plane, and land at the destination without adverse incidents. Any error could lead to a traumatic accident.
The most common types of airplane accidents include:
- Runway collisions – Hazards left on the tarmac or runway could lead to a collision. The plane might crash into a luggage transport vehicle or traffic cone. Sometimes, airline employees walk close to moving aircraft and could create an obstacle that requires the pilot to maneuver out of the way to avoid running them over.
- Slip/trip and falls – Falling is a common occurrence nearly everywhere. A plane is no different. Anyone could slip on a wet floor or trip over a hazard and suffer an injury. Flight attendants should ensure the aisle stays clear of suitcases, purses, and other items that could obstruct a person’s path. Knowingly leaving hazards in the middle of the aisle is negligent and could result in an accident.
- Faulty overhead bin – The overhead bin contains a latch to keep it securely closed during the flight. A defective latch could open mid-flight and cause luggage to land on people sitting underneath the bin. The manufacturer of the plane could be liable for supplying a faulty part.
- Fires – A fire on the exterior or interior of an aircraft is dangerous. Even if the flames are outside after an engine explodes, it could lead to injuries. The plane might crash without a correctly functioning engine. Under other circumstances, a fire inside the plane could cause burn injuries and lung damage from smoke inhalation.
- Takeoff accidents – Various factors can contribute to a takeoff accident. Pilots must focus on the runway ahead to ensure it’s clear of obstructions. They must also calculate the appropriate distance and speed to ascend before the runway ends. Collisions with other airplanes and adverse weather creating slippery conditions can lead to severe injuries.
- Boarding and deplaning accidents – Getting on and off a plane might not seem risky, but injuries can occur. The space between the floor of the gate and the aircraft is significant enough to cause someone to trip. Portable stairs at a small airport could contain defects that create an unstable surface and cause a passenger to fall.
- Landing accidents – Descending toward an airport requires exceptional skill. The pilot must keep the plane level, adjust the speed, and activate the landing gear. Even the slightest mistake could cause the airplane to skid on the ground, crash into a fence, or miss the runway entirely.
If any type of airplane accident results in your injury, it’s critical to reach out to Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers immediately. We can start preparing your case while you focus on recovering.
Causes of Airplane Accidents
Airplane accidents can happen for a range of reasons, such as:
- Malfunctioning equipment in the cockpit
- Inadequate maintenance and repairs on the aircraft
- Air traffic control errors
- Violating a regulation issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Low fuel
- Maneuvering incorrectly in poor weather conditions
- Runway obstructions
- Pilot error
- Issues with the landing gear
- Inadequate preflight inspections
- Miscommunication between the pilot and air traffic control
- Turbulence
- Unsecured service carts
- Slip and fall hazards
It’s vital to take immediate action following an airplane accident. Even if you sustained a minor injury, you might be entitled to compensation.
Injuries in Airplane Accidents
The injuries passengers suffer in airplane accidents range in severity. Some require minimal medical attention to heal. Others require ongoing treatment to manage pain, alleviate symptoms, and restore mobility.
Although many injuries aren’t life-threatening, airplane accidents can cause long-term psychological problems. People injured in airplane accidents often develop mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A fear of flying is common after dangerous incidents aboard a plane.
The most common injuries in airplane accidents include:
- Burn injuries
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Puncture wounds
- Internal bleeding
- Sprained ankles
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Torn tendons, muscles, or ligaments
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Respiratory conditions from smoke inhalation
Plane crashes can have fatal consequences. Although surviving is possible, fatalities can occur when aircraft fall from the sky and crash into the ground or water.
Compensation for Injuries in Airplane Accidents
Various parties can be at fault for an airplane accident. The person or company you seek compensation from will depend on the circumstances of the incident. The most common parties held liable for airplane accidents include:
- Pilot
- Flight crew
- Maintenance or repair worker
- Air traffic controller
- Plane or part manufacturer
- Commercial airline
- Plane servicing company
- Mechanic
- Private jet company
The compensation you receive might cover losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Damage to personal property
Punitive damages might be recoverable in a lawsuit against the at-fault party. You can’t seek punitive damages in an insurance claim. You must provide clear and convincing evidence of the defendant’s gross negligence or intentional misconduct to recover this type of monetary award in court.
If you lost a family member in a plane crash, you could receive compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit. The only person allowed to file suit is the personal representative of the deceased’s estate. The compensation obtained could cover a range of losses, including:
- Loss of support and services the deceased provided
- Medical and funeral expenses paid by a surviving family member or the estate
- Loss of protection and companionship the deceased provided to family
- Lost wages, earnings, and benefits between the date of the injury and death
- Mental pain and suffering
- Loss of instruction, guidance, and companionship a parent can no longer provide to their child
- The value of benefits and income the deceased would have saved and left as part of their estate if they were still alive
Statute of Limitations on Airplane Accidents
The Florida statute of limitations for an airplane accident case allows a four-year timeframe to file suit. That means you must initiate your lawsuit against the negligent party within four years of the accident date to seek compensation for your losses.
The only exceptions that might allow you to toll the statute of limitations and have more time to file suit include:
- Legal disability – A legal disability means you were of unsound mind or a minor at the time of your injury. You have four years from the date you gain mental competency or turn 18 years old to file your lawsuit.
- Out of state – If the defendant leaves the state temporarily before you initiate your lawsuit, the clock won’t start again until they return. Additionally, their absence won’t count toward the four-year timeframe.
For a wrongful death case, the estate’s personal representative has a two-year timeframe from the date of the accident victim’s death to file the lawsuit.
Contact Us
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers has a reputation for successfully representing clients who were injured in airplane accidents. We have received multiple awards from prestigious legal organizations, such as Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We are proud of our dedication to accident victims and the results we can achieve.
Our St. Petersburg airplane accident attorneys understand the economic burden many people face after an airplane accident. We don’t want to add to your struggles when you hire us. That’s why we take cases on contingency. That means you don’t have to pay us upfront when you retain our services. We don’t secure our legal fees unless we recover compensation for our clients. If we lose your case, you will never owe us any money.
If someone else’s actions caused your injuries in an airplane accident, call Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers at (727) 605-1100 for your free consultation. With our 24/7 availability, you can speak to us about your case at a time most convenient for you.
