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Airplane Accident Lawyer

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Legally Reviewed by:

Jonathan Rosenfeld

J.D

  • Over $450 Million worth of case results

  • Awarded The Best Lawyer in 2024 by U.S. News

  • Nationally Recognized in Legal Community
Airplane Accidents

Aviation accident cases present unique challenges that distinguish them from other personal injury claims. The complexities of aviation law, the involvement of multiple potentially liable parties, and the rigorous federal regulations governing aviation activities make these cases particularly intricate.

The commercial aviation industry suffered 30 total accidents in 2023, none of which were fatal. Injuries, however, are not uncommon in these incidents. [1] If you were involved in an aviation accident and need assistance, we’re here to help.

Drawing on years of experience, our team of airplane accident attorneys has a deep understanding of these challenges. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we combine our knowledge of aviation law with a commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest industry developments. 

What Is Considered an Aviation Accident?

An aviation accident is considered an incident associated with the operation of any type of aircraft that occurs while a person is boarding, on board, or disembarking from the aircraft, leading to either serious injury or damages. 

This can span a wide range of situations—from minor incidents during taxiing to catastrophic crashes. Aviation accidents include not only those involving large commercial airliners but also smaller private planes, helicopters, and other types of aircraft.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Chicago Aviation Accident Attorneys

Our law firm handles a wide variety of aviation accidents, representing victims and their families who have suffered due to these incidents. Some of the most common types we handle include:

Domestic Flight Accidents

Domestic flight accidents involve passengers traveling within a single country’s borders. These incidents can range from minor technical failures with no serious injuries to major crashes resulting in significant damage and loss of life. 

Factors contributing to domestic flight accidents include mechanical issues, human error, poor weather conditions, and challenges related to airport infrastructure. 

Air ambulance crashes fall into this category and are particularly tragic since they involve providing urgent medical assistance to those who need it the most.

International Flight Accidents

When you’re involved in an international flight accident, the complexity increases significantly. These incidents, which typically take place on commercial airlines, typically involve multiple jurisdictions and international aviation law, including treaties such as the Montreal Convention. 

These agreements are designed to establish clear liability rules for passenger injuries and establish uniform rules regarding the potential compensation that victims can receive, but they can be difficult for a layperson to understand.

Our attorneys have experience handling international aviation accidents and can provide you with the necessary legal representation.

Private Plane Accidents

If you’re flying on a private plane and an accident occurs, the legal circumstances can differ quite a bit from commercial aviation incidents. When we investigate these, we might focus intensively on pilot errors, aircraft maintenance records, and weather conditions at the time of the accident.

Our team of experienced Chicago aviation accident attorneys has the necessary skills and knowledge to handle private plane accident cases and ensure that you receive fair compensation. 

In-Flight Injury Cases

Passengers who experience serious injuries during a flight due to turbulence, cabin malfunctions, faulty equipment, airline personnel negligence, pilot error, or other incidents may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. 

Our aviation accident lawyers will work with you every step of the way to build a strong case for your personal injury and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Helicopter Crashes

Helicopters are often used for medical transportation, tourism, and other commercial purposes. When accidents occur involving these versatile aircraft, the injuries can be catastrophic. 

Our helicopter crash attorneys have experience handling this type of cases and can provide you with the representation needed to hold the responsible parties accountable after a helicopter crash.

The airplane accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers understand the complexities involved in aviation accidents and are dedicated to helping victims and their families seek justice. 

Aviation accidents stem from a variety of causes, each with its own set of legal considerations and remedies. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Pilot Error: Pilot error and negligence is one of the leading causes of plane crashes. [2] 
  • Mechanical Failures: When a plane crashes due to a mechanical failure, the legal responsibility may lie with the manufacturer, the maintenance crew, or potentially the airline for not conducting proper maintenance or checking procedures.
  • Air Traffic Controller Error: Miscommunications or mistakes by air traffic controllers can have catastrophic results. When this occurs, the Federal Aviation Administration may bear responsibility, and legal action becomes a matter of federal law.
  • Weather-Related Accidents: Inclement weather may lead to crashes, and determining liability in such a personal injury case can be complex. The pilot, the airline, or other entities may all play a role, depending on the specific circumstances.
  • Sabotage or Terrorism: Extremely rare but not unheard of, intentional acts of harm against commercial airlines may invoke a different set of legal rules and potential agencies involved in the litigation process.

Common Plane Crash Injuries

If you’ve been in a plane crash, the injuries you sustain may be severe and life-altering. Some of the most common types of injuries associated with a Chicago aviation accident include:

In violent events like plane crashes, a traumatic brain injury is common. These can have lasting, severe consequences – including cognitive issues, emotional disturbances, and physical impairments. If you’ve experienced this type of injury, our brain injury lawyer can help you file a claim. 

Spinal cord injuries can be incredibly serious, ranging from paralysis to other spinal damage that impairs mobility and sensation. Such injuries often bear profound, lifelong implications that require significant medical attention and ongoing care.

Catastrophic injuries refer to those severe enough to significantly impact a victim’s ability to function normally on a day-to-day basis. For example, limb loss, serious head injury, or vision loss. In these types of air travel incidents, it’s essential to consult a catastrophic injury lawyer right away.

Surviving such a traumatic event can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. These emotional injuries can have long-lasting effects on the individual.

When life is tragically cut short due to an air travel accident, families may be eligible to pursue wrongful death claims. This legal action allows surviving family members and beneficiaries to recover damages for some of their losses, like medical expenses, lost wages of the deceased, funeral and burial costs, as well as loss of companionship. 

If you’ve been injured, working with an experienced lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal process and seek damages for your injuries. 

The Role of Airplane Accident Attorneys in the Success of Your Case

Our airplane accident attorneys play a crucial role in managing your claim, advocating for your legal rights, and representing you in the complex legal landscape of air travel incidents. Specifically, here’s an overview of the importance of working with an aviation accident lawyer from our law firm:

Aviation Litigation Requires Thorough Investigation

In-plane and helicopter crashes, attorneys must work closely with professional investigators to build a compelling case. They often piece together evidence from great distances and, at times, international locations. A thorough investigation can be lengthy and complex, requiring a significant amount of legal expertise to determine the cause of the accident.

Establishing Liability Following an Airplane Accident

Once they gather evidence and analyze it, a Chicago aviation accident attorney and investigators will work together to determine who is at fault for the accident. 

This often includes:

  • Pilots: Human error is quite common in these types of accidents. If pilots make a mistake or act recklessly, they may be held responsible for the accident.
  • Manufacturers: If a mechanical issue or defect caused or contributed to the accident, the manufacturer or other parties responsible for the issue may be held accountable.
  • Improper maintenance: If inadequate maintenance procedures are followed, this can also contribute to an accident and result in liability for the maintenance provider.
  • Airline or charter company: The company operating the flight may be held responsible if it negligently hired, trained, or supervised pilots and crew members.
  • Aircraft owner: If the aircraft is privately owned, the owner may be held liable for any accidents caused by negligence in maintaining or operating it.

Determining liability for airplane accidents can be a complex process, as multiple parties involved could be responsible. It is important to thoroughly investigate all potential factors and hold accountable those who are responsible for the accident.

An Aviation Accident Lawyer Can Help You Recover Compensation for Damages

Survivors of aviation accidents may suffer a wide range of physical injuries, from broken bones to severe burns. Any injuries resulting from an aircraft crash can result in significant medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial damages. An experienced airplane crash attorney will fight to seek damages for these losses on your behalf.

Additionally, survivors may also suffer emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the accident. These are equally valid injuries that should not be overlooked in seeking damages. A skilled attorney can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that all damages, including emotional ones, are properly accounted for in your case.

In a wrongful death claim, survivors of the person who lost their life in the accident can recover damages for loss of financial support, companionship, and emotional distress. Wrongful death lawyers can help surviving family members pursue these claims and seek justice for their loved one’s death. 

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Choosing the right law firm after an aviation accident is not just a matter of convenience or preference—it’s imperative to protect your legal rights and ensure justice is served. 

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has become synonymous with delivering comprehensive legal support to clients across Chicago and throughout the country, setting a high standard for personalized service and aggressive advocacy. 

Here’s how we can help you after an accident:

Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation

The legal process begins with an initial consultation. This meeting is crucial as it allows your Chicago aviation accident lawyer to understand the facts surrounding your case, evaluate the potential for a claim, and discuss your legal rights and options.

Cooperation Between Judicial Authorities and Investigative Entities

Oversight agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), collaborate in the thorough investigation of aviation accidents. In many cases, they will provide critical evidence that your legal team can use to build a successful case. 

A Chicago aviation accident attorney from our team has the resources and experience to consult with expert witnesses in addition to working with these agencies.

Properly Assessing Your Damages

We will determine the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other applicable losses for any personal injury you suffered. 

Our aviation accident lawyers will work to ensure that you receive full compensation for all past, present, and future damages related to the accident. If you don’t know what you’re entitled to, you won’t be able to receive the full damages you deserve.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies

In the majority of cases where someone is injured in an airplane accident, extensive negotiations take place before trial. This back-and-forth seeks to reach a settlement that is agreeable to all parties. At this stage, your plane accident lawyer will use all available evidence and expert testimony to support your claim and negotiate for fair damages. 

If a settlement is reached, the case may be resolved without going to trial. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we understand the tactics and strategies used by insurance companies in aviation accidents and are prepared to fight for what’s yours.

Going to Trial

If your case requires a courtroom to reach a resolution, having an airplane injury lawyer experienced in trials becomes indispensable. Our aviation accident lawyers understand how to prepare and present an effective case and will do whatever it takes to prove negligence and get you the best outcome.

In cases where multiple parties are affected by the same aviation accident, your airplane accident lawyer can facilitate MDLs or class actions. These proceedings allow for a more efficient resolution and accommodate the unique aspects of group lawsuits.

Ultimately, working with an aviation accident attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers provides you with a strong legal ally in pursuing justice. Our team is committed to advocating for the best interests of our clients and obtaining the full compensation they deserve. 

With decades of experience and a proven track record of success, we are confident in our ability to handle even the most complex cases. 

Contact a Chicago Aviation Accident Attorney Today!

Jonathan Rosenfeld, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in an aviation accident, now is the time to contact a Chicago airplane accident attorney. Our experienced legal team is ready to guide you through each step of your claim, working tirelessly to secure the full compensation and justice you deserve. 

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we understand the complex legal issues regarding aviation accidents and are prepared to advocate on your behalf. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront, and our fees are only collected if we win your case. This allows you to pursue your claim without the burden of immediate legal costs. 

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago airplane accident lawyer. Call us at (888) 424-5757 or reach out online.

Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

We also serve clients from Chicago, Evanston, Schaumburg, Springfield  and throughout Illinois.

Resources: [1] IATA, [2] FAA

Client Reviews

Jonathan Rosenfeld was professionally objective, timely, and knowledgeable. Also, his advice was extremely effective regarding my case. In addition, Jonathan was understanding and patient pertaining to any of my questions or concerns. I was very happy with the end result and I highly recommend Jonathan Rosenfeld.

– Michonne Proulx

Extremely impressed with this law firm. They took control of a bad motorcycle crash that left my uncle seriously injured. Without any guarantee of a financial recovery, they went out and hired accident investigators and engineers to help prove how the accident happened. I am grateful that they worked on a contingency fee basis as there was no way we could have paid for these services on our own.

– Ethan Armstrong

Jonathan Rosenfeld was professionally objective, timely, and knowledgeable. Also, his advice was extremely effective regarding my case. In addition, Jonathan was understanding and patient pertaining to any of my questions or concerns. I was very happy with the end result and I highly recommend Jonathan Rosenfeld.

– Giulia

This lawyer really helped me get compensation for my motorcycle accident case. I know there is no way that I could have gotten anywhere near the amount that Mr. Rosenfeld was able to get to settle my case. Thank you.

– Daniel Kaim

Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother’s death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial.

– Lisa

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Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

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