Lafayette Aviation Accident Attorneys
Plane & Helicopter Crash Lawyers in Lafayette, LA
The ability to fly is one of the most important achievements of the last century. Since the Wright brothers took man’s first controlled powered flight in 1903 using their “Flying Machine,” the aviation industry has changed the world. As flying machines turned into the airplanes and helicopters of today, we revolutionized the way we travel. By the 1960s, trips that previously took days and required crossing the ocean via ship could suddenly be completed with an overnight flight. As airplanes and helicopters progressed, the world was connected in a way that had never been seen prior.
As passenger flight has advanced, so has safety technology. However, combinations of human error and mechanical failure are still responsible for deadly aviation accidents in the Lafayette area, Louisiana, and throughout the nation. If you were harmed in an aviation accident, speak with our Lafayette aviation accident lawyers. Arnold & Itkin has investigated dozens of aviation crashes and incidents, helping our clients get the money they needed to pay for medical care and move on with their lives.
Call our Lafayette aviation accident attorneys today at (888) 493-1629 for a free consultation.
Aviation Accidents in Louisiana
Aviation accidents can include helicopters, airplanes, and other specialized aircraft such as gliders and paramotors. In 2015, the National Transportation Safety Board reported that there was a total of 1,282 civil aviation accidents in the United States. Of these accidents, 238 were fatal, killing 406 people total.
Precise engineering and strict training requirements for flight crews have lowered the aviation accident rate to all-time lows in the United States. When aviation accidents do happen, they are devastating, as aircraft are often carrying anywhere from dozens to hundreds of passengers. If passengers survive an aviation accident, serious injuries are often the result.
Aviation Accident FAQs
What Causes Plane and Helicopter Crashes?
Pinpointing specific causes of aviation accidents is a difficult task. Often, a combination of multiple factors contributes to disasters in the air. These factors usually occur in a sequence. The "Swiss cheese model" of aviation crashes states that accidents require a series of failures to happens. When the "holes" that cause accidents overlap, catastrophic events occur. This model is important because it points out that multiple failures must occur for an accident to happen. If just one more person did their job correctly, they could've prevented a tragedy from happening.
Common factors that lead to aviation accidents are the following:
- Pilot or crew error
- Mechanical failure
- Weather conditions
- Sabotage
- Air traffic control error
- Ground handling errors
Who Is Responsible for Aviation Accidents?
Numbers regarding the frequency of these errors vary between sources. However, pilot error and mechanical failure are the leading causes of accidents. When an aviation accident occurs, it is likely a result of negligence on the part of the airplane operator, engineer, manufacturer, mechanics, or pilot.
Liable parties in plane accidents include:
- Pilots: When a pilot neglects even the smallest detail, an accident may be triggered. Failing to safely operate a plane, check instructions, and incorrect landing procedures are negligent acts on behalf of a pilot. Since 1981, the FAA has enforced the Sterile Cockpit Rule. The rule attempts to restrict distracted flying and requires pilots to refrain from non-essential activities during critical portions of a journey.
- Mechanics: Modern airplanes are engineered with precision. When a mechanic fails to properly perform maintenance and repairs, they place the lives of all passengers at risk.
- Air traffic control: Air traffic controllers are subject to stress and make mistakes. These workers must follow a strict set of rules from the FAA to ensure that they are accomplishing their job safely, including taking required breaks.
- Manufacturers: Manufacturers must not cut corners to increase profits. Components such as instruments, wings, wheels, landing gear, and engines must be held to the highest standards to ensure reliability at 30,000 feet.
Call (888) 493-1629 for to Discuss Your Legal Options for Free
Flights safely take off and land at airports in Louisiana each day. However, when human error causes an accident, survivors deserve an advocate who will help them get the compensation they need to recover. No one should be forced to suffer hardship as a result of someone else's mistake.
Arnold & Itkin fights for aviation accident victims. Our team has recovered billions of dollars through settlements and verdicts for our clients. Our case record reveals that no situation is too complex, and no company is too large for us to take on. When you contact our firm, we will evaluate your case free of charge and suggest your next steps toward recovery. We know how hard these experiences can be. If we take your case, you do not have to pay any fees unless we win your case.
Call our Lafayette aviation accident attorneys today at (888) 493-1629 for a free consultation.
