Air traffic involving different types of aircraft in Texas is increasing at a rapid pace. While traveling by air is typically regarded as a safe means of travel, a single aviation accident can claim multiple lives and/or injure many people. Recovery of damages brought about by a plane crash may be pursued, but navigating such claims may be difficult.
The laws governing aviation accidents cover major air carriers along with non-commercial aircraft that is classified as general aviation. This category includes light planes, business jets of any size, charter flights, helicopters, pleasure crafts such as hot-air balloons and hang gliders. Regardless of the size of the aircraft, most accidents involve some level of negligence.
In most aviation accident lawsuits, one of the following causes is cited. An error by the pilot could have caused the plane to crash or there might have been some type of equipment failure. In some cases, investigators find that Federal Aviation Administration regulations were violated or that Flight Services Station employees were negligent. Negligence on the part of Federal Air Traffic Controllers has also resulted in plane crashes, and sometimes it can be the selection of a carrier by a third party that may be deemed negligent. Design or structural problems can also cause an aviation accident.
A Texas resident who seeks to recover damages after an aviation accident may file a personal injury or wrongful death claim in civil court. However, the laws related to these accidents are complicated because aviation is governed by several laws and two different federal agencies. Knowing whose negligence caused the crash and proving that negligence is typically a difficult process. For this reason, many victims opt to utilize the services of an experienced aviation accident attorney to pursue compensation for monetary damages incurred.
Source: FindLaw, “Aviation Accidents“, Accessed on June 29, 2016
