Being in an aviation accident or having someone die in one is one of the worst things anyone can have to deal with and people who have suffered from these tragedies often feel like they have nowhere to turn. But, if you are in this situation right now, you should know that all hope is not lost. You could sue an airline company for damages if there was negligence, and you could get substantial compensation depending on how severe the accident was and how negligent the airline or other parties were. Let’s take a look at when and how you can sue an airline for an aviation accident.
Determining Causation and Liability
The two most important things when it comes to getting compensation for an aviation injury are knowing what and who is responsible for the accident. You cannot sue an aviation company if the accident was caused by something out of their control and if they did everything they could to prevent it. But you could sue them if there was clear negligence on either the airline’s or the pilot’s part.
If the pilot was impaired when the accident occurred, for instance, or it can be shown that they were working for longer hours than they should have been, then you could have a case. If the plane wasn’t properly inspected, you could get compensation too. Once you understand this principle, you’ll be able to have a much clearer idea of whether you have a case or not.
You Could Sue More than One Party
You should also know that the airline is not the only party that could be held responsible. You could sue a manufacturer, for instance, depending on the circumstances of the accident. If it can be shown that the accident was caused by an issue during take-off or landing and the airline took all the precautions necessary according to regulations, you could sue a manufacturer very successfully.
Another party that you could sue is the airport. If it can be shown that there was negligence in how the runway was maintained for instance, or there was some issue with air traffic control that could’ve been prevented, then you could have a case against them.
Why Hiring the Right Attorney is Important
At the end of the day, only a good attorney will be able to tell you if you have a valid case on your hands. They will also be able to maximize your compensation by making sure that all the liable parties are held accountable. Your team will also help with things like discovery and will be able to settle the case satisfactorily out of court instead of dragging the case out. If you’d like to find a well specialized team and get more information on aviation accident cases, check this out.
Aviation accident cases are some of the most distressing and difficult to deal with but know that you could have recourse if negligence can be demonstrated. So, don’t despair and start looking for representation as soon as you can to maximize your chances of winning and getting the compensation you rightfully deserve.
