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Savvy travelers favor air travel because it’s faster and less accident-prone than other methods of transportation. Airplanes can reach most domestic destinations in hours, while international travel seldom takes more than one day. Likewise, traveling by air allows you to get to your destination faster, provides in-flight entertainment, and offers a sense of comfort. Small planes, in particular, can be a fantastic method of getting from point A to point B in a beautiful and exciting way. Likewise, small aircraft can be cheaper and quicker than larger planes, depending on your location and distance.
However, while flying is generally a safe way to travel, small plane crashes are still surprisingly common. Some analysts consider small private planes to be just as dangerous as cars, even though crashes involving small planes typically don’t receive as much media attention as major airliner crashes. Victims of a plane accident may experience permanent injury or death in the crash, leaving surviving family members behind.
If you or a loved one suffered injury or death in a small plane crash, you may be able to bring forward an airplane accident claim if the crash was the result of recklessness or neglect.
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When comparing commercial airlines and small planes, it’s clear which aircraft has more sophisticated safety and navigation technology. Commercial airlines are a class above the rest. They not only fly on planned and carefully controlled air traffic routes, but pilots undergo extensive training and have access to numerous backup systems and failsafe mechanisms that don’t exist in most smaller private planes.
Here are a few additional reasons why passengers of smaller planes face a unique set of risk factors:
Amateur pilots have more freedom and face fewer constraints than commercial airline pilots, and they don’t demand as many flight hours to qualify for amateur flight licenses. Inexperience and incompetence are commonly cited reasons for small plane crashes.
Smaller planes can land at a wide array of airports, even those with unpaved runways in some cases. This can sometimes lead to accidents when taking off or landing.
Losing control of the smaller aircraft due to weather-related phenomena is a primary reason for small plane crashes. Smaller planes are more susceptible to weather and other natural hazards in flight.
As you might expect, smaller planes can’t store as much fuel as larger commercial aircraft. As a result, without careful pre-flight planning, there’s a higher likelihood that smaller planes will run out before reaching their destination. In fact, statistics gathered by the Washington Post state that two aviation accidents occur each week as a result of fuel running low.
Wildlife has been known to pose a threat to small airplanes. For instance, some small airplanes have crashed after birds flew into their windshields, wings, or engines, causing critical failures mid-flight.
If you are injured in a plane crash — or if a family member was killed — you have the right to investigate the accident and, if there was recklessness or neglect, recover damages. If the crash occurred on someone else’s premises or was the result of the inattentiveness or irresponsibility of another at-fault individual, you may be able to recover compensation for any lost wages, property damage, medical bills, and psychological trauma associated with the accident.
Fault can sometimes be found by looking at what the FAA calls “accident themes,” with the most common issues being the following:
At Danko Meredith, our California aviation accident attorneys will protect your interests throughout all stages of your case, regardless of whether you’re the survivor of an aviation accident or have lost a loved one. Whether we’re gathering evidence or fighting for you at trial, we’ll seek justice for you and your family, and we’ll always put your best interests first.
Small plane crashes, though less common than commercial airline accidents, can have devastating consequences. Determining liability in such cases is complex, often involving multiple parties. Here’s an overview of who can be held responsible for a small plane crash:
The pilot is often the primary focus in small plane crash investigations. Pilot errors, such as poor judgment, inexperience, or failure to adhere to proper procedures, can lead to accidents. If the pilot’s negligence is proven to be the cause, they can be held liable for the crash.
The aircraft owners, whether an individual or a company, can be liable if they fail to maintain the plane properly. Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial for ensuring a plane’s safety. If neglect in these areas contributed to the crash, the owner could be held responsible.
If a defect in the plane’s design or manufacturing is identified, the manufacturer can be held liable. This includes issues with the engine, avionics, or structural components. In such cases, product liability claims can be filed against the manufacturer.
The team responsible for maintaining the aircraft can also be held liable if improper maintenance or failure to identify and fix potential issues contributed to the crash. This includes both independent mechanics and maintenance companies.
If the crash involved a training flight, the flight school might be liable. This can occur if the school provides inadequate training, uses poorly maintained aircraft, or allows inexperienced instructors to oversee flights.
Air traffic controllers play a crucial role in guiding aircraft. If an ATC error, such as providing incorrect instructions or failing to communicate vital information, led to the crash, the controllers and their employer (often a government agency) can be held liable.
Liability for small airplane crashes is often shared among multiple parties. Thorough investigations are essential to identify all contributing factors and responsible parties. If you or a loved one has been involved in a small plane crash, consulting with an experienced aviation attorney can help navigate the complexities of such cases and ensure that all liable parties are held accountable.
When it comes to aviation accidents, the claims process can vary significantly between private plane crashes and commercial plane crashes. Understanding these differences is crucial for those seeking compensation.
Private plane crash claims often involve smaller aircraft owned by individuals or private entities. Here are key points to consider:
Understanding these points helps in grasping the complexities of private plane crash claims.
Commercial plane crashes involve larger aircraft operated by airlines and are subject to different legal and regulatory frameworks. Key points include:
While both private and commercial plane crash claims seek to address the harm caused by aviation accidents, the processes and legal considerations involved differ significantly. Private plane crash claims often deal with individual owners and smaller insurance policies, whereas commercial claims involve larger entities and more extensive regulatory oversight. Understanding these differences is crucial for effectively navigating the claims process and securing fair compensation. If you need assistance with an aviation claim, consulting with an experienced attorney is essential.
A small plane crash in California or elsewhere often results in serious injuries or fatalities. When these accidents occur, it’s critical that injury victims or the families of people who died in the accident pursue a case for recovery as soon as possible. Fortunately, help is right around the corner. At Danko Meredith, our experienced team is committed to keeping you informed every step of the way and helping you conquer this challenging time in your life.
We’ve been named one of the Best Law Firms in America by US News & World Report, and our award-winning lawyers are consistently listed among California’s elite. We care about you and will be by your side throughout the entirety of the legal process. No matter the complexity or size of the case, we’ll commit our full attention to all of our clients who deserve justice. For a free consultation, give us a call at (650) 453-3600 or complete our contact form today.
