Seattle Aviation Accident Lawyer

Statistics show that travelling on an airline is safer than by automobile when measured by mile travelled. However, aviation accidents almost always make the evening news and for good reason. They tend to involve more people injured or killed while imperiling many people on the ground.

If you have been injured in an aviation accident, or if a loved one has died, you might qualify to receive compensation. You should meet with a skilled Seattle aviation accident lawyer as soon as possible to review your case.

How Aviation Accidents are Different from Car Accidents

Aviation accidents typically involve many more people, including government agencies investigating the crash and manufacturers who take an intense interest in whether any manufacturing or design defect contributed to the accident. With so many parties involved, investigations tend to be lengthy yet thorough.

Nevertheless, it can be very difficult for victims and their family members to uncover helpful, relevant information related to the accident. Often, these victims are the last to know what caused the accident, such as pilot error or a defect in the plane that could have been corrected.

With an attorney by your side, you will be kept up to date on the status of the investigation. This can provide peace of mind and help you build a case for compensation.

Suing For Compensation

To receive compensation after an aviation accident, you will need to identify the party responsible for your injuries. Some common defendants include:

The pilot. Many accidents are directly attributed to pilot error. A pilot could be responsible if he or she was distracted, operating the plan while impaired, or improperly responded to an emergency.
The airline. An airline is responsible for the negligence of its employees, so you can sue them when a pilot makes a mistake. Airlines are also responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their fleet. If the plane was not repaired properly, you can sue the airline for an accident.
The manufacturer. Some planes are defective in design or manufacturer. The recent crash of two Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplanes has revealed a design defect that causes the plane’s nose to push down without any pilot input.
The airport. A crash might have been caused by a defective runway or from negligent air traffic control personnel. Victims can hold the airport responsible for these types of crashes.

Investigators have an incentive to get to the bottom of why a plane crashed, so you can typically be sure that they have properly identified the cause. Planes rarely crash unless someone made a mistake somewhere, and you can sue that person or entity if they are to blame.

Wrongful Death Claims

If a loved one died in an aviation accident, then surviving family members might be entitled to compensation. Under Washington’s wrongful death law, this lawsuit could be filed by the estate’s personal representative for the benefit of:

The children of the accident victim
The spouse or domestic partner of the accident victim
If no children or spouse, then for the benefit of parents or siblings who were dependent on the accident victim

The estate can receive compensation for many losses, such as:

Funeral and burial expenses
Medical bills to treat your loved one’s final illness
Costs related to any property damage
Lost wages and income the deceased would have earned had he or she not died in the plane crash
Loss of companionship, care, and other intangible benefits the deceased provided

Calculating the amount of compensation available is difficult and depends on many factors. Reach out to an experienced wrongful death attorney who can go through the facts and circumstances to analyze the number of damages you might receive.

Never Negociate Alone With an Airline

After a crash or other incident, an airline might quickly make a settlement offer, usually for very little money. We have heard of family members being offered $15,000 for the death of a loved one—which in no way is a fair settlement offer to make. Airlines are hoping that injured victims or their surviving family members will be desperate for cash or, in their grief, will sign any settlement put before them.

This is a mistake. After an aviation accident, all affected parties should immediately meet with an attorney. Remember, the airline does not have your best interests at heart. The insurer usually has one goal—to get injured victims or surviving family members to agree to a settlement quickly and for very little money.

As experienced Seattle aviation accident lawyers, we can properly value your injuries. The loss of a limb or bodily function (such as your eyesight) warrants significant compensation. The death of a loved one could also result in a sizeable settlement, especially if your loved one was young and working a job. By hiring an attorney, you will make sure you don’t leave any money on the table when negotiating a fair settlement.

Maximizing Your Compensation After An Aviation Accident

We do more than aggressively negotiate with an airline or insurer. We also find other sources of compensation for our clients. For example, if you bought your plane ticket with a credit card, you might have accidental death and dismemberment insurance, called AD&D. It can provide compensation if you lose the use of a body part in an aviation incident, such as losing a foot or hand. It can also provide compensation if a loved one dies. This AD&D insurance comes with some credit cards and few cardholders are even aware of it.

As part of our representation, we will track down every applicable insurance policy so that you can be sure to get the maximum amount you are owed under the law.

Filing a Claim in Time

If you have been injured, you might decide to negotiate with an airline or a pilot for compensation. But you should never lose sight of the fact that Washington law gives injured victims a short amount of time to protect their rights in court. This is the statute of limitations, and it will cut off your ability to sue if you miss the deadline. Instead of delaying, speak with a Seattle aviation accident lawyer today.

Khan Injury Law stands ready to assist in any way we can. Reach out to us to schedule a free, confidential consultation.