Aviation Accident Lawyers

In 2007 alone, travelers in the U.S. boarded passenger aircraft 766 million times.

The same year, private and commercial aircraft spent 19.3 million hours in the air, the National Transportation Safety Board reported, and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association reports there are roughly 64 million take-offs and landings each year in the U.S. Considering all the systems that need to function correctly in order to ensure catastrophe-free flights, these numbers paint a sobering picture about the safety of those aloft.

At Elk & Elk, our dedicated team of lawyers, paralegals, doctors, nurses, economists, accountants, analysts, accident reconstruction specialists and other experts has become well known for fighting hard to get to the truth and prove the merit of our clients cases. Our top priority is helping average Americans protect their rights and get their lives back on track. We spare no expense to find the facts and get our clients the compensation they deserve.

The facilities and aircraft that make up the world’s air fleet require constant maintenance and evaluation. Instruments need to be tuned and procedures need to be updated frequently. When there’s a lapse in this critical workflow, people’s lives are put in danger. That’s why there are strict laws governing the operation of private and commercial aircraft.

When any player in the safe-flying game – a manufacturer, a mechanic, a pilot or a safety inspector – makes a mistake or overlooks a detail, the consequences can be tragic. Aviation law is a precise area of practice and to navigate it with any degree of competence takes constant study and professional development. That’s why, if you or a loved one have been a victim of an aviation accident, you need an aviation accident law firm that knows how aviation regulation works.

The aviation accident lawyers at Elk & Elk have the resources, the drive and the experience to represent the victims of even the most complex flight-related accidents. Whether you or someone you care about has been injured in an air travel-related wreck, we’d like to be the law firm you come to for answers. Our simple, contingency-fee business model allows us to represent aviation accident victims with every resource we have available at no up-front cost. And if we do not have a successful outcome for you, you don’t owe us a dime.

Call 1-800-ELK-OHIO or fill out the free, no-obligation case evaluation form here and let us prove to you how big a difference an experienced, resourceful team of aviation accident attorneys and its support staff can make in your search for justice.

Aviation Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who can be held responsible to the injured parties in an aviation accident?
A: Liable parties vary depending on the cause of the accident. The owner and operator of the aircraft certainly may be liable if the cause can be traced to human error. Manufacturers or maintenance suppliers may be liable when circumstances of the accident indicate that an engineering or mechanical failure caused the crash.

Q:Can the owner/operator be held criminally liable for an aviation accident?
A: The federal government and individual states can impose criminal sanctions in aviation accidents. Although the classifications and details may vary among them, most states impose criminal sanctions on aviators for reckless conduct that leads to injury, death, or property damage. The difficulty in prosecuting these cases lies in differentiating between cases of criminal negligence and accidents caused by carelessness.

Q: What is the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994?
A: The General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994 – or GARA - is designed to protect manufacturers of smaller, private aircrafts (less than 20 seats) from liability for accidents involving older airplanes and/or parts. GARA bars lawsuits against the manufacturer of an aircraft or component part once that item has been in service for 18 years. GARA does not apply if the aircraft was engaged in the scheduled passenger carrying or to air medical service operations at the time of the accident.

Q: What’s the first thing I should do after being involved in an aviation accident?
A: Take care of yourself first and mind your injuries. If you can’t move comfortably, don’t. If you’re stuck, pinned or otherwise trapped, don’t try to free yourself, as you may wind up hurting yourself worse. Allow rescue personnel to make the call once they’re on scene.

Q: What if I can’t remember what happened?
A: Unless your injuries prevent it, write down all you can remember about the accident as quickly as possible. For this reason, it’s good to keep a pencil and paper handy. If you have a camera, take as many pictures as possible of the accident scene.

Q: How should I interact with authorities at the scene of an aviation accident?
A: First of all, BE HONEST. When officials arrive on scene, get their names and credentials. Get statements from them about what they observed.

Q: Why do I need a lawyer after I’ve been involved in an aviation accident?
A: If you or someone close to you has been involved in an aviation accident, you need a lawyer:

1. To protect your rights
2. To make sure you get the medical treatment you may need even if you cannot pay for it up-front
3. To help you file the related property damage claim
4. To negotiate with insurance carriers to make sure you get the amount of compensation that you will need to pick up the pieces and get your life back on track as quickly as possible.