Maison Law helps people that are injured in California airplane accidents. Unfortunately, these accidents aren’t limited to just the air. In fact, it’s actually much more common for accidents to happen at the airport itself. Meadows Field Airport (BFL) in Bakersfield is no different. If you or someone you care about has been hurt there, we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
Why Do You Need a Lawyer After an Accident at Meadows Field Airport?
In many ways, an accident at BLF Airport is more common than one that happens with an actual airplane itself. It’s not all that complicated when you think about it: there’s more people streaming in and out of an airport than there are on a plane. At the same time though, whether or not you need a lawyer after one of these accidents depends on your situation.
A minor accident usually doesn’t require legal help. But with an accident at BLF Airport, you not only can face serious injuries, but the legal situation is often much more complicated. This means that having legal help can make a huge difference, and our team will be there to support you in a claim. We’ll investigate what happened, explain your options clearly, then help you file a claim.
What Should You Do After an Accident at Meadows Field Airport?
At Meadows Field Airport, what separates a random accident from a legal action is negligence. In that respect, it’s much like an accident anywhere else in California. But, this also means that you need to do a few things to take care of yourself and your potential claim. So, when you’re in an accident at BLF Airport, make sure to do the following things:
- Get help – Your health is the top priority. If you’re injured, ask an employee or airport staff for help. They can provide first aid or direct you to on-site medical care. For more serious injuries, make sure that 911 is called for an ambulance.
- Report the accident – At the same time, report the accident to airport management, security personnel and possibly local police on patrol. If you’re hurt, report the incident to the nearest security guard. For situations like assaults or car accidents, call the police to manage the scene.
- Gather information – Collect as much information and evidence as you can. Get contact and insurance details from others involved, as well as contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened.
- Document the scene – Take photos or videos of the accident scene, including anything that might have caused or contributed to the accident. Visual evidence like this is very powerful.
- Be careful – When speaking to airport officials, police, or insurance representatives, stick to the facts of what happened. Avoid admitting fault or speculating, as this could impact your claim in a negative way.
Being prepared and knowing these steps will help protect your rights if an accident happens to you at Meadows Field Airport. But again, any accident here carries unique implications as it relates to liability.
How Does Liability Work After an Accident at Meadows Field Airport?
There’s a major caveat to liability when there’s an accident at Meadows Field Airport. Basically, the airport is a public building because it’s owned and operated by Kern County. Normally, buildings or other businesses owned by the government have “sovereign immunity” from lawsuits. However, this immunity is waived when negligence causes an accident. This is made possible by the California Torts Claim Act (CTCA), so BLF Airport can be held liable for accidents caused by negligence on their property.
This covers a wide range of incidents, from car accidents in the parking lot to slip-and-fall accidents inside the airport. While this has implications for the claims process, the first thing that you need to do is look at the circumstances of the accident to see if anyone else is liable. And given the number of people and third parties that operate inside the airport, it opens up liability to a number of different parties like:
- Individual employees or workers
- Product manufacturers
- Contractors or maintenance workers
- Food manufacturers
- Private individuals
- Vendors
Basically, under California’s premises liability laws, both the airport itself and any of these parties have a legal responsibility to act in a way that keeps you safe while you’re there. This doesn’t always happen, which means you have certain legal options after an accident.
What Damages Can You Get in an Injury Claim After an Accident at Meadows Field Airport?
If you’re injured at Meadows Field Airport, the process for filing an accident claim is a bit different from a typical lawsuit. To start, you have to file a Notice of Claim with the government, which tells them about the accident and that you want to take legal action. There’s also two main requirements for any claim:
- Excess damages – Your claim should be for damages under $10,000. If your damages exceed this amount, which is common in serious accidents, you’ll need to file with the Government Claims Program.
- Timeframe – You must file the claim within six months of the accident date. This is different from the usual two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in California.
If you don’t meet these requirements, it could mean that you waive your right to file a claim at all. However, once you submit your claim, Meadows Field Airport has 45 days to respond in writing. During this time, they will investigate and evaluate the claim–much the same way an insurance company would.
If you can show that the airport was negligent and responsible for your injuries, the claims process will proceed as normal. This means that you could recover certain “damages” from the airport, like:
- Medical treatment costs
- Lost income, future wages, and benefits
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Repair or replacement costs for damaged property
- Loss of enjoyment in life
Remember, damages will be specific to your accident. Keep in mind that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your damages will be reduced by that percentage under California’s “comparative negligence” rule.
What Types of Accidents Can Happen at Meadows Field Airport?
The environment at Meadows Field Airport, though smaller than major hubs, can still be hectic with people moving between parking lots, terminals, and gates. This busy atmosphere doesn’t change your rights if you’re injured, especially when negligence is involved. With that said, it does lend itself to certain accidents, especially those involving:
- Slip and fall accidents from wet or broken flooring.
- Tripping hazards from loose baggage or debris in walkways.
- Vehicle accidents in parking lots, especially between cars rushing in and out of parking areas, as well as accidents with shuttles and other airport vehicles.
- Malfunctioning equipment or poorly maintained elevators or escalators can also lead to accidents and injuries.
- Items falling from overhead compartments or airport fixtures can cause harm to unsuspecting travelers.
- Personal belongings in your baggage or on your person are frequent targets for robberies, and the nature of the environment can sometimes lead to physical fights, particularly if alcohol is involved.
These are just some examples of accidents that can happen at Meadows Field Airport. Negligence is a key factor in determining your legal options. Our team is here to help you file a claim and make your way toward recovery.
Contact Maison Law After an Accident at Meadows Field Airport
Suffering an injury at Meadows Field Airport can be incredibly frustrating, especially if it was due to the airport’s negligence. Maison Law and our team of California airport accident lawyers are here to help you make your way through the legal process. If you or someone you care about have been hurt at Meadows Field Airport, contact us today for a free consultation.
