If you’ve spent any amount of time traveling around California or anywhere else, you know how unnerving it can be to experience trouble on an airplane or other aircraft. Whether it be turbulence or some other mishap, it can leave you feeling helpless and trapped. That said, there are any number of reasons that airplanes crash.
One of the most common is when there is improper maintenance. Airplanes and other aircraft are rather complicated when it comes to the upkeep and knowledge it takes to fix them if something goes wrong. And unfortunately, if you’re involved in a crash or other type of accident because of improper maintenance, it could leave you seriously or even fatally injured.
Maison Law Can Guide You After a California Airplane Accident
Being involved in an airplane accident in California can leave you feeling overwhelmed and alone. You may not only be facing serious injuries but a number of different possible outcomes for your recovery. At minimum, you’ll likely have extensive medical bills and expenses, and may not be able to enjoy your life as you once did.
All of these factor into your potential legal options, which our team at Maison Law can assist you with. Our experienced California airplane accident lawyers have the knowledge and skill to help you navigate these tragic accidents, making sure you or your surviving family get the treatment and support needed under California law. Don’t wait to get help, contact us today for a free consultation.
How Often Do Airplane Accidents Happen in California?
Virtually everyone that gets on an airplane in California is aware of the inherent risk of this mode of travel. Despite this risk, flying in an airplane is incredibly safe, given the advances in technology and the skill and training required to pilot them. However, the fact remains that when there’s an airplane accident, it often involves the aircraft plummeting from the air or colliding with objects at extremely high speeds. While airplane accidents frequently make headlines, they actually don’t occur all that often. 2022 data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that in California, there were:
- 110 aviation accidents
- 84 resulted in injury
- 26 were fatal
Again, this data illustrates at once how relatively safe flying is, but also what can happen if there is an accident. Moreover, because there’s such a risk anytime you get on an airplane, it’s important to understand the role that improper maintenance can play in these accidents.
Improper Maintenance and Airplane Crashes in California
A successful flight involves several crucial aspects, including pre-flight planning and weather assessment by both the pilot and ground crew, airport and air traffic controller preparations, and rigorous security protocol monitoring. However, perhaps the most critical element occurs before the aircraft takes off: the maintenance of the plane.
Not surprisingly, when an airplane is not properly or adequately maintained, it can cause accidents. Worse yet, this can occur any number of ways. Usually, though, it involves:
- Not following maintenance procedures – This can involve not following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule or not following specific maintenance procedures outlined in the aircraft’s maintenance manuals.
- Incomplete inspections – Mechanics may overlook critical components or systems during inspections, leading to undetected issues that could compromise safety.
- Substandard repairs – If repairs are not carried out correctly or with approved parts, it can compromise the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft.
- Inadequate record-keeping – Proper documentation of maintenance and repairs is essential. failing to keep accurate records can make it difficult to track the aircraft’s maintenance history, which is vital for ensuring its safety.
- Neglecting lubrication and fluids – Failure to properly lubricate moving parts or maintain essential fluids like oil and hydraulic fluid can lead to equipment failures.
- Ignoring service bulletins and airworthiness directives – Manufacturers issue service bulletins and aviation authorities release airworthiness directives to address specific safety concerns. ignoring these directives can result in unsafe conditions.
- Inadequate training – Mechanics and maintenance personnel must be properly trained and certified to perform maintenance on aircraft. inadequate training can lead to mistakes and oversights.
- Failure to address aging aircraft issues – As aircraft age, they require special attention to address wear and tear. neglecting this aspect of maintenance can lead to safety issues.
- Environmental factors – Exposure to harsh environmental conditions, such as saltwater for coastal aircraft, can accelerate corrosion and require specific maintenance practices.
- Not complying with regulatory requirements – Airplanes must comply with aviation regulations set by authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Non-compliance with these regulations can result in unsafe conditions.
Determining Liability in a California Airplane Crash
Before delving into your potential legal recourse, it’s crucial to grasp the underlying factors that led to the airplane accident resulting in your injury. Airplane accidents typically entail more significant damage compared to regular accidents, meaning you and your family will be facing significant bills and damage.
Thus, a significant aspect of an injury claim arising from an airplane accident involves determining the responsible parties. Unlike a typical vehicle accident, an airplane accident can involve multiple potentially liable parties, sometimes concurrently. Ultimately, liability hinges on identifying negligence that contributed to the accident. And in cases where improper maintenance caused the crash, it could fall on any of the following:
- Maintenance personnel
- Facilities responsible for airplane maintenance
- Airlines
- Airplane manufacturers
- Equipment or part manufacturer
- Regulatory authorities
Figuring Out Improper Maintenance
Ultimately figuring out who is at fault in airplane crashes is a sometimes complicated procedure, especially in cases where improper maintenance caused the crash. That said, our team of experienced California airplane accident lawyers have experience in this area and can take the lead in helping you. Through our experience, we can take the following steps to find the liable parties:
- Gathering evidence – Our lawyers can work with aviation experts and investigators to gather crucial evidence related to the crash. This may include maintenance records, inspection reports, and any other relevant documents that can help establish a case of improper maintenance.
- Interviewing witnesses – We take the lead in interviewing witnesses, such as aviation mechanics, ground crew, and other personnel who may have information about maintenance procedures or irregularities.
- Expert analysts – Our team frequently consults with aviation experts that can assess the evidence and provide professional opinions on whether improper maintenance was a contributing factor in the crash.
- Liaison with authorities – Through our years of experience with these types of accidents, our lawyers have worked with aviation regulatory authorities and safety agencies to access official reports and findings related to the crash investigation.
Once liability is established, our team can then help you proceed with actually filing a claim for damages against the responsible party or parties.
How Do You File a Claim After a California Airplane Crash?
In California, the legal framework allows you, as an injury victim, to file a claim for damages against the person or party responsible for causing the accident that injures you. Given the complexities associated with airplane accident claims, this means navigating through a web of multiple insurance companies, each motivated to safeguard their interests. This complexity often results in various types of claims. While these details may seem intricate, our team has a wealth of knowledge and experience to ensure that your claim remains strong and viable.
In general terms, an airplane accident claim in California can give you access to the following damages:
- Medical expenses and costs, which cover all medical bills and related expenditures.
- Treatment and therapy costs, Including expenses incurred for necessary medical treatments and therapeutic interventions.
- Lost wages, which can reimburse you for wages lost due to the accident.
- Mental anguish, which gives you financial support relating to the psychological trauma you endured.
- Emotional distress, which addresses the emotional distress stemming from the accident.
In addition to pursuing an insurance claim, you also have the option of filing a personal injury lawsuit, which usually happens when the insurance company fails to provide a satisfactory settlement offer. This process involves filing a complaint in civil court and then going through the legal process of discovery, depositions, mediation, and potentially trial before a jury.
One key element that is the starting point for any legal action is filing within the statute of limitations. In California, injury victims have two years from the date of the accident to file their claim.
Dependable Legal Guidance After California Airplane Accidents Due to Improper Maintenance
Few accidents are as harrowing as those involving an airplane. If you have suffered injuries in such an incident in California because the plane was not properly maintained, it’s important to act quickly to protect your legal rights.
At Maison Law, we offer the dependable legal guidance and support that you can rely on. We will keep you informed during the process and stand with you every step of the way as you work toward recovery. To get started with a free, no-obligation consultation, contact us today.
