Helicopter Accidents
Additional Information
What Should You Do After a Helicopter Crash?
Helicopter accidents occur far more often than many people realize – at least once a day in the U.S. Although some of these are considered minor in nature, it is not at all unusual for major malfunctions to result in precipitous drops and catastrophic injuries. Although at first glance cases such as these may appear to be easily to litigate, the truth is that understanding the various issues in a helicopter accident is not easy. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident of this kind, you are entitled to pursue an appropriate settlement. It is important to work with an attorney who will fight aggressively on your behalf.
What Are Causes of Chopper Accidents?
Helicopter accidents happen for a wide range of reasons, and some of these are easier to prove than others. Many of the contributing factors may have occurred long before the flight even began. Separating what is cause and what is effect requires a solid understanding of engineering, physics, and the complex legal issues involved. Possible causes of a helicopter crash include:
Pilot error
Design issues
Poor maintenance
Engine failure
Aircraft violations
Defective helicopter parts
An important thing to keep in mind is that more than one party may be at fault for your accident, and distinguishing between negligence and product liability will require the services of an experienced aviation accident attorney.
Getting Compensation for Your Helicopter Accident Injuries
Whenever an airline crash occurs in the United States, the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) will issue a preliminary report. Although this report is made for safety reasons and is not admissible in court, it generally provides an indication of how the court case will proceed. Then victims and their families will begin to file claims against various parties who may be held legally responsible for the crash. This may include the pilot, the company that employed maintained the helicopter, air traffic controllers, and manufacturers of the helicopter and its component parts.
If the helicopter crash involves high-profile victims or if there are a number of causalities, the case may be moved from state court to federal court. This is a long and costly process, with several layers of appellate review for the lawyers to navigate. In fact, arguments over where the case will take place could take several months.
What can you recover in a lawsuit of this kind? As with any personal injury lawsuit, the law offers several avenues of recovery. You can get your medical bills covered, of course, but major injuries may also result in awards for ongoing care, loss of income, and pain and suffering. Depending on the number of people injured or killed, this could add up to millions or even tens of millions of dollars in total damages.
Proving that such expenses warrant legal action is the job of your attorney, which is why litigation of this kind will often involve doctors, engineers, and other experts in the field. The idea is to marshal a preponderance of evidence to your side to achieve the best outcome from a position of strength.
The Types of Injuries in a Helicopter Crash
Helicopters fly above the ground at high speeds. Consequently, the injuries that result from these crashes are often quite serious, including:
Call to Speak With a Helicopter Accident Attorney
Our attorneys have the necessary resources to mount this kind of lawsuit. As The Husband & Wife Law Team, we understand the deeply personal relationships that may fray in the wake of a catastrophic injury, and this firm offers a sterling approach to effective litigation. No matter whose helicopter it was or how your accident took place, it is essential to work with professionals who will fight doggedly on your behalf. Please contact our injury lawyers today.