Airplane Accident Attorney

When a plane crash happens, the consequences are almost never minor. The injuries sustained in aviation accidents — whether aboard a commercial airliner, a private charter, or a small general aviation aircraft — are among the most catastrophic in personal injury law. Survivors face long recoveries, permanent disability, and financial damage that can last years. Families who lose a loved one face grief compounded by a legal process most people have never encountered.

Aviation accident cases are genuinely different from other personal injury claims. They involve federal agencies, highly technical evidence, multiple potentially liable parties, and legal frameworks spanning both state and federal law. The sooner you have an experienced attorney involved, the better your position in everything that follows.

Why Airplane Accident Cases Are Uniquely Complex

Unlike a car accident where two drivers and their insurance companies are the primary parties, an airplane crash can involve the pilot, the airline or charter operator, the aircraft manufacturer, a parts supplier, the maintenance crew, air traffic control, and in some cases a government entity.

Most airplane crashes have multiple causes, and a comprehensive investigation is required to determine which parties bear responsibility.

Adding to the complexity is the federal investigation timeline. The NTSB typically takes a year or more to complete its final report — and the FAA process often runs longer. Some aviation claims carry a six-month filing deadline that cannot wait for those investigations to conclude. You need an attorney conducting an independent investigation in parallel, not one who waits for the government to finish first.

Types of Aviation Accidents We Handle

Aviation accident cases span a wide range of aircraft and incident types.

We handle these types of aviation accidents:
● Commercial airline accidents involving major carriers
● Private plane and general aviation crashes
● Charter and corporate jet accidents
● Helicopter accidents and crash landings
● In-flight injuries caused by turbulence or aircraft malfunction
● Takeoff and landing accidents
● Runway incidents and ground collisions
● Accidents caused by air traffic control error
● Crashes involving defective aircraft parts or systems

Aviation accidents don’t always happen in the air. Incidents during taxi, takeoff, descent, and landing are common, and the same legal principles apply regardless of where or how the injury occurred.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Establishing liability in an aviation accident requires examining every party whose actions or failures contributed to the crash.

Responsible parties can include:
● The pilot, for errors in judgment, fatigue, or FAA regulation violations
● The airline or charter operator, for inadequate training or maintenance failures
● The aircraft manufacturer, if a design defect or faulty component contributed to the crash
● A maintenance contractor, if improperly serviced equipment failed
● Air traffic control, if improper instructions contributed to the incident
● A government entity, through the Federal Tort Claims Act, where FAA oversight failures played a role
Violations of FAA regulations are central to establishing liability in aviation cases. Finding them requires the kind of independent investigation that an experienced attorney conducts on your behalf — not one that waits on the federal process.

The Evidence That Makes or Breaks an Aviation Case

Aviation accident cases depend on technical evidence that must be secured quickly.

The evidence we pursue includes:
● Flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder information
● Maintenance logs and aircraft service records
● Pilot training records and flight hours documentation
● Air traffic control communications and radar data
● Weather reports and flight planning records
● FAA and NTSB investigation findings
● Independent expert analysis of aircraft systems and wreckage

The period immediately following an aviation accident is critical. Evidence must be preserved before it is compromised by ongoing investigations, corporate interests, or the passage of time. Working with an attorney from the start protects the civil case in ways that waiting simply cannot.

What Compensation Can Aviation Accident Victims Recover?

Given the severity of injuries common in aviation accidents, the compensation available reflects the serious and often permanent nature of the harm.

A successful aviation accident claim can recover:
● Emergency medical treatment, surgery, and hospitalization
● Long-term rehabilitation and ongoing medical care
● Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
● Pain and suffering and emotional distress
● Permanent disability or disfigurement
● Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one

In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims is generally two years from the date of injury or death. However, aviation cases may involve shorter federal deadlines or international treaty limitations such as the Montreal Convention. Some claims must be filed within six months. Given these varying timelines, calling an attorney immediately after an aviation accident is not optional. It is urgent.

Why Hire Chris and Frank

Aviation accident defendants — manufacturers, airlines, and large charter operators — are well-resourced and experienced at defending these claims aggressively. You need attorneys who are equally prepared and committed to seeing the case through.

We have recovered over $100 million for our clients and win 99% of our cases. From your first call we take over: conducting an independent investigation, working with aviation experts, preserving critical evidence, and building the strongest possible case. We connect you with top medical specialists at no upfront cost and offer cash advances if lost income is creating financial pressure. No fees until we win your case. Se habla español. With offices across California and the Pacific Northwest, with more locations opening, we are always within reach.

Call Chris and Frank for a free consultation today. Find out what your case is worth before the other side gets further ahead.