Aviation Accident Claims at a Glance
- Federal investigators take the lead. The National Transportation Safety Board investigates civil aviation accidents, and its findings can be important to an injury or wrongful death claim.
- Many parties may share fault. Pilots, aircraft owners and operators, maintenance providers, manufacturers of aircraft or parts, and air traffic control can all be involved.
- International flights follow a treaty. Claims arising from most international airline travel are governed by the Montreal Convention, which generally requires suit within two years.
- Virginia deadlines are short. Most Virginia injury claims must be filed within two years (Va. Code § 8.01-243), and wrongful death claims within two years of death (Va. Code § 8.01-244).
Although flying is by far the safest way to travel, it is not without risk. Furthermore, aviation accidents are not limited to large-scale disasters involving commercial jetliners. For every massive crash that makes headlines, there are dozens of small craft accidents that happen all over the country each year.
The airline industry in the United States has undergone several major shifts over the past two decades. As airlines have merged due to slumping ticket sales and rising fuel costs, many have attempted to cut costs by using regional carriers that service small areas. These flights are generally more affordable because they involve smaller planes that can be flown by pilots with considerably less experience than those who pilot major flights. Tragically, this shift toward regional carriers has resulted in numerous horrific accidents.
At Hilton & Somer, LLC, our practice spans Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland—three regions known for some of the heaviest air traffic in the world. Each day, thousands of flights take off and land in the areas we serve. When crashes happen, they leave devastated family members behind. Losing someone you love in an aviation accident can leave you in shock and serious financial distress. Although money won’t replace your loved one, compensation can help you cover your expenses so you can focus on healing and recovering from your loss.
Causes of Aviation Accidents
The fear of flying is one of the most common phobias described by psychologists. However, many of the things phobia sufferers fear are extremely unlikely to cause a crash. For example, a plane can lose both engines and still manage to glide safely to the ground. Many aircraft have even landed without descended landing gear. Modern aircraft are also equipped with sophisticated technological systems that check and double check altitude, weather conditions, and the presences of other aircraft in the sky and on the ground. When aviation accidents happen, they are almost always caused by human error. In fact, Boeing reports that 80 percent of all plane crashes are the result of pilot error. Pilots who make mistakes usually do so for four main reasons:- Lack of training
- Incorrect reaction to weather conditions
- Failure to act
- Fatigue
Aviation Accidents Are Complex
As you might expect, aviation accidents are complex. As soon as a crash occurs, investigators from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrive on the scene to determine what caused the accident. This occurs in cases involving both commercial and private flights. Aviation accidents are further complicated by the fact that a crash can involve multiple individuals from several different states. For example, a flight may take off from one city carrying passengers bound for a destination city located in a different state, but crash somewhere in between these two states. Handling these complex cases requires skill, experience, and a deep knowledge of federal and state aviation laws and regulations.Hilton & Somer, LLC: Aviation Accident Attorneys
The Fairfax aviation accident lawyers at Hilton & Somer, LLC assist clients throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Call today to speak to a lawyer for free about your aviation accident case. You can reach us through our online contact form, or by calling 703-560-0700.
Areas We Serve
Hilton & Somer is based in Fairfax, Virginia and represents injured clients throughout Northern Virginia, Washington, DC and Maryland, including:
- Northern Virginia: Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Springfield, Manassas, Annandale, McLean, Falls Church, Centreville, Leesburg, Fredericksburg and Charlottesville, plus Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fauquier and Culpeper Counties
- District of Columbia: Washington, DC
- Maryland: Bethesda, Silver Spring, Oxon Hill and College Park, plus Montgomery, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Howard, Frederick and Washington Counties
Aviation Accident FAQ
Who investigates plane and helicopter crashes?
The National Transportation Safety Board investigates civil aviation accidents in the United States, and the Federal Aviation Administration also plays a role. Their reports can take a year or more, so evidence should be preserved independently.
Who can be held liable for an aviation accident?
Depending on the cause, the pilot, the aircraft operator or owner, a maintenance company, the manufacturer of the aircraft or a defective part, or in some cases a government entity may be responsible.
How long do I have to file an aviation accident claim?
It depends on where and how the accident happened. Virginia generally allows two years, and claims under the Montreal Convention for international flights generally must be brought within two years. Speak with a lawyer quickly.
How much does it cost to hire an aviation accident lawyer?
Hilton & Somer handles aviation accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you, and the first consultation is free.
