Air travel is fast and common, but when something goes wrong, the results can be tragic. Planes, helicopters, and even small jets can crash or have mechanical issues that put lives at risk. These accidents often lead to serious injuries or even death.
Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers helps accident victims and families who suffer from airplane crashes or other aviation disasters. Our team knows how to handle these complex cases. We work closely with experts and understand how federal aviation administration and aviation safety rules apply. Whether the crash involved a commercial flight, private jet, or helicopter accident, we fight to get you justice.
If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a New York aviation accident, you may have the right to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
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Types of Aviation Accidents in Queens
Aviation accidents can happen in many ways across New York, including incidents involving large planes, helicopters, and private jets. Some of the most common types are:
Commercial Airline Crashes or Emergency Landings
Airplane crashes involving commercial flights are rare, but when they happen, they are often deadly. Even emergency landings can cause trauma, broken bones, or long-term stress for passengers.
These crashes may involve engine failure, poor weather, or pilot error. Others may be due to problems with aircraft operations or mistakes by an air traffic controller. The federal aviation administration and the national transportation safety board usually investigate these crashes.
Victims of airplane accidents often face high medical bills, lost income, and life changes. A lawyer who understands aviation accident litigation can help you get answers and seek fair compensation.
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Private Plane or Charter Jet Accidents
Many people in New York use charter planes or private jets for work or short trips. While convenient, these flights carry risks, especially if the plane is not well-maintained or the pilot lacks training.
These accidents often happen during takeoff, landing, or due to mechanical errors. Crashes involving small aircraft can lead to serious injuries or even death. Since these flights may not follow the same strict rules as big airlines, it’s important to work with experienced aviation accident attorneys.
Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers knows how to handle civil aviation crashes and work with experts to understand what went wrong.
Helicopter Crashes (Tour, News, or Medical Transport)
Helicopters are used for tours, news coverage, and even air ambulances. These flights are often low to the ground and near crowded areas. That makes any crash more dangerous for people both inside and outside the aircraft.
A helicopter accident can be caused by weather, poor judgment, or even a problem with the blades or engine. Many crashes happen during medical flights, where safety checks may be rushed. If you or a loved one was injured in a helicopter crash in New York, you may be able to take legal action and seek compensation for your losses.
Runway or Ground Accidents at JFK or LaGuardia
Airport accidents can happen even when a plane is not in the air. Busy airports like JFK and LaGuardia in New York have thousands of daily flights. That makes the risk of ground collisions higher. A crash may occur if two planes get too close, if a vehicle crosses the runway, or if a plane moves at the wrong time.
These accidents often result from pilot error, poor communication, or failed equipment. Even if you weren’t in the air, a ground incident can still cause serious injuries and allow for a personal injury lawsuit.
Midair Collisions or In-Flight Malfunctions
Although rare, midair collisions do happen, especially when small planes or helicopters fly too close together. These crashes can be deadly and often involve a failure to follow flight paths or problems with communication.
In-flight issues can also involve sudden drops in pressure, broken parts, or engine failure. Any of these problems can put passengers and crew in danger. When aviation insurance companies get involved, they often try to reduce payouts. A strong legal team can fight back and hold the right people responsible for what happened in the air.
Common Causes of Aviation Accidents
Many airplane accidents happen because of human mistakes, equipment problems, or poor safety checks. Some of the most common causes of these events in New York and across the country include:
Pilot Error
Pilot error is one of the leading causes of aviation accidents. This includes misjudging weather, failing to follow safety steps, or reacting too slowly in an emergency. Even skilled pilots can make mistakes, especially under stress. In some aviation accident cases, distraction or fatigue plays a role. When pilots make the wrong move, the results can be deadly. This is true for both large airlines and small charter planes.
Mechanical Errors or Engine Failure
Planes and helicopters must be checked often. If something breaks or fails mid-flight, the risk of a crash rises. Mechanical errors and engine failure are behind many airplane crashes, especially in older aircraft. If a part wasn’t made right or was not installed correctly, the aircraft manufacturer or parts supplier may be responsible. Keeping aircraft operations safe takes regular care and proper repairs.
Poor Weather Conditions
Weather is another big factor. Heavy winds, fog, rain, and snow can all make flying more dangerous. Pilots must know how to handle rough weather. If they don’t, or if they take off when it’s not safe, it can lead to a crash. Federal aviation administration rules require certain limits, but not everyone follows them. Weather-related accidents often involve both pilot error and bad judgment from airlines or charter companies.
Air Traffic Control Mistakes
An air traffic controller must direct multiple planes at once. If they make a mistake, two planes can get too close or fly into dangerous airspace. Errors like giving wrong directions or failing to spot another plane can lead to airplane crashes or near misses. These cases may involve government investigations by the national transportation safety board.
Poor Maintenance or Inspection Failures
Every plane needs regular checks. If the airline or private owner skips inspections or fails to fix a known issue, they put everyone on board at risk. Some crashes happen because of a small part that was worn out, loose, or never replaced. These types of failures can lead to aviation accident litigation, especially if the issue was ignored.
Who Can Be Held Liable in an Aviation Accident?
In an airplane accident, many different people or companies may be responsible. It depends on what caused the crash and what safety steps were missed. A few of the main parties who may be held legally accountable under New York law include:
Airline or Charter Company
If an airline or charter plane company fails to follow safety rules, they may be held responsible. This includes skipping important repairs, hiring untrained pilots, or flying in unsafe weather. If a crash happens because of their poor decisions, they may owe money to the accident victims or their families.
Big companies like American Airlines must follow strict aviation safety rules set by the federal aviation administration. Smaller charter companies must do the same. If they cut corners to save money or ignore problems, a personal injury lawsuit can be filed to help victims recover compensation.
Aircraft Manufacturer or Parts Supplier
Sometimes, a crash happens not because of human error, but because of a bad part. If an engine, wing, or system fails, the company that made or sold that part may be at fault. These companies must test every piece they sell for aircraft operations.
If a plane crashes due to poor design, a faulty engine, or another part that breaks mid-flight, the aircraft manufacturer or parts supplier may be fully or partly responsible. In these cases, your lawyer may bring in engineers to study the wreck and help prove who is at fault.
Pilot or Crew Member
The pilot has a duty to keep everyone safe. If they make a poor decision, skip a safety check, or fly while tired or distracted, they can cause harm. These mistakes are often called pilot error and are a top cause of airplane accidents.
The flight crew can also be held responsible if they fail to secure the cabin, miss safety checks, or respond poorly in an emergency. If their actions or choices lead to serious injuries, they may be held personally or professionally liable in a personal injury or aviation accident litigation case.
How a Queens Aviation Accident Lawyer Can Help
Aviation cases are different from regular personal injury claims. They involve special rules, federal laws, and often more than one responsible party. A skilled Queens aviation accident lawyer can guide you through the process and fight for the results you deserve. Here’s how we help:
Conduct a Thorough Investigation With Aviation Experts
After an airplane accident, it’s important to understand what went wrong and who is at fault. Our team works with aviation experts, engineers, and former pilots to study the crash. We look at flight records, weather reports, black box data, and the full accident report.
We may also work with investigators familiar with the national transportation safety board or federal aviation administration to gather critical evidence. These steps help us build a strong case and uncover any signs of pilot error, faulty parts, or safety failures. We leave nothing out.
Identify All Responsible Parties
Aviation accident litigation is often more complex than other types of cases because multiple parties can be at fault. A pilot, a crew member, the airline, the aircraft manufacturer, or even an aviation insurance company could all share responsibility.
Our job is to identify every party who may have caused or contributed to the crash. This helps ensure that accident victims get full access to all possible sources of compensation, especially when the injuries are severe or the crash involved a wrongful death.
Handle Complex Insurance and Federal Aviation Laws
Dealing with insurance companies after an airplane accident is never easy. Most aviation insurance companies use their own teams of lawyers and may try to deny or delay claims. These companies know how to protect their own interests, not yours.
Our legal team knows the ins and outs of federal aviation administration rules and civil litigation laws. We manage the entire insurance company process for you and make sure your case follows all deadlines and legal requirements. We protect your rights from start to finish.
Negotiate a Settlement or Pursue Litigation if Necessary
Many personal injury lawyers aim for a fast settlement, but we do things differently. We take time to understand your needs and the true cost of your losses. If the insurance company offers too little, we are fully ready to take your case to court.
Whether the case ends in a settlement or goes to trial, our goal is always to win maximum compensation. We fight for your medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and all the costs caused by the aviation accident.
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FAQs
What should I do if I’m injured in an aircraft accident?
If you were hurt in an aircraft accident, get medical help right away. Then, report the incident and collect any records, witness contacts, or flight details you can. It’s important to speak with a law firm that offers strong legal representation so you can understand your rights and take the right steps to pursue compensation.
Who can be held responsible for an aviation accident?
Responsibility depends on how the accident was caused. The pilot, airline, maintenance crew, or even the aircraft manufacturer could be at fault. In many cases, more than one party shares blame. Injured parties have the right to seek damages from everyone involved, and a lawyer can help uncover all the facts.
Can I file a claim if the crash happened during an international flight?
Yes. If you were injured during an international flight, you may still be able to file a claim under international aviation law. These cases can be more complex, but a skilled attorney can help you pursue compensation from the airline or other parties responsible.
What if I lost a loved one in an aviation accident?
If a family member died in a crash, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. This can help cover funeral expenses, loss of income, and emotional suffering. These cases are often difficult, but a caring law firm can guide you through the process with respect and care.
Can aviation lawsuits help prevent future accidents?
Yes. Filing a lawsuit doesn’t just help victims, but it can also shine a light on safety problems and force companies to make changes. Holding the right people accountable may help prevent future accidents and improve safety for others in airline travel.
Call Our Queens Aviation Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love was hurt in an aircraft accident, you don’t have to go through it alone. These cases can feel overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with pain, medical costs, or the loss of a loved one. Our law firm is here to give you strong, trusted legal representation every step of the way.
Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers helps injured parties understand their rights and take the right steps to pursue compensation. Whether your injury happened during a local flight or an international flight, we’ll look closely at how the accident was caused, investigate all parties involved, and fight for what you deserve.
Your first call with us is a free consultation, and you only pay us if we win your case. Contact us today and let us help you seek justice, and help prevent future accidents by holding the right people accountable.
