California Aviation Accident Attorney

We’ve handled cases arising from virtually every type of general aviation aircraft accident. That includes accidents involving ultralights, light sport aircraft, vintage aircraft, technologically advanced aircraft such as the Cirrus, private jets, helicopters of all sorts, and even hot-air balloons.

And we’ve represented the families of various airline disasters, such as TWA Flight 800, the Crash of the Air France Concorde, Alaska Airlines Flight 261, EgyptAir Flight 990, Adam Air Flight 574, and Air Philippines Flight 541.

Our clients have included the families of some of the world’s most skilled pilots. We’ve represented the families of a 747 pilot, a Concorde SST pilot, a US Aerobatic Pilots Hall of Famer, and even a Blue Angel.  We’ve been the choice of judges and lawyers, including a lawyer for the President of the United States.

We’ve been called upon to testify as experts on US aviation law before the courts of foreign countries.  We’ve taken aviation cases to trial here in the US in courts from Massachusetts to Hawai’i.

If you would like to discuss your possible aviation crash case, contact us for a free, confidential consultation with one of our Bay Area personal injury lawyers.

Airline Accidents

After a long period of unprecedented safety, airline travel has become increasingly risky.  Crew members have become overly reliant on cockpit automation.  Novel aircraft designs present new failure modes. Air traffic controllers are subjected to ever-increasing workload. Perhaps most importantly, the FAA has abdicated its duty to regulate aircraft manufacturers, instead allowing them to self-certify their designs as safe even when they aren’t.

Now more than ever it falls upon the civil justice system–judges and juries–to hold the industry accountable. At Danko Meredith Trial Lawyers, we have a passion for aviation safety. If you or family member was injured in an airline accident, contact us today to discuss your case with an experienced airline accident lawyer.

Airline Accidents Cases Bring Change

We’ve represented the families of the following airline disasters whose aftermath brought about industry change:

• Alaska Airlines Flight 261: McDonnell Douglas MD-83 crash off of Point Mugu, California (improperly lubricated horizontal stabilator jackscrew)
• TWA Flight 800: Boeing 747 crash over Long Island Sound (explosion of vapor in center fuel tank due to improper wiring)
• Air France Flight 4590: Concorde STT crash at Paris, France (tire explosion on takeoff)
• Adam Air Flight 574: Boeing 737 crash into the Makassar Strait near Sulawesi (pilot disorientation-fixation on automation)
• Air Philippines Flight 541: Boeing 737 crash on the island of Davao (aircraft design defect)
• Comair Flight 3272: Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia crash at Monroe Michigan (defectively designed de-icing system)
• EgyptAir Flight 990: Boeing 767 crash near Nantucket, Massachusetts (mechanical failure of the aircraft’s elevator control system)
• American Airlines Flight 587: Airbus A300 crash at Bell Harbor, New York (design-induced pilot error)

Why Choose Danko Meredith For Airline Accident Cases?

• Mike Danko has represented clients in major air disasters, both foreign and domestic, for more than 25 years. An active jet pilot with more than 4000 hours as pilot-in-command, Mike is keenly aware of the safety issues affecting jet travel today.
• As our representative cases demonstrate, we are among Northern California’s top trial lawyers. We have obtained millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for airline clients.
• We charge for our services only if we obtain a financial award. We operate on a contingency fee basis. We charge nothing up front, and nothing for our services or for the costs we lay out unless we win.

Danko Meredith Trial Lawyers have what it takes to negotiate or litigate any airline disaster, either domestic or international, according to the clients’ unique needs.

General Aviation Accidents

People think “General Aviation” means “small planes.” But in fact it includes any aviation operation other than military flights or transportation for hire. General aviation accidents are always sudden, unexpected and devastating for the aircraft’s occupants and their families.

We’ve handled cases arising from virtually every type of general aviation aircraft: ultralights, light sport aircraft (LSAs), antique aircraft, technologically advanced aircraft (TAAs) such as the Cirrus, private jets, helicopters of all sorts, and even hot-air balloons.

If you would like to discuss a possible general aviation crash case, contact us for a free, confidential consultation with one of our California aviation accident lawyers.

Common Causes of General Aviation Accidents:

Common causes of general aviation accidents include:

• Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT)
• Improper maintenance
• Continuation of a flight into adverse weather without proper equipment or crew training
• Defective or bogus aircraft parts
• Air traffic controller error
• Scud running
• Defective aircraft design
• Engine failure
• Failure to account for high density altitude during takeoff
• Contaminated or improper fuel

Aircraft crash survivors frequently suffer serious injuries such as multiple fractures, burns, lacerations, spinal cord injuries, or brain damage. Our experience with these types of injuries helps us to maximize the client’s compensation.

Why Choose Danko Meredith for General Aviation Accident Cases?

• We know more about general aviation accidents than any other law firm in Northern California. Our results in general aviation cases are unmatched.
• We don’t take the NTSB’s word for what happened. We uncover the truth regardless of the circumstances of the crash.
• Our trial record shows that we can take your case to court and win. That means you have more bargaining power during settlement negotiations.
• We charge fees only if we win a settlement or verdict.

Contact an Aviation Accident Attorney

Our lawyers can discuss your unique aviation accident case with you for free during a consultation at our local Bay Area Personal Injury law firm. Schedule your meeting by calling (650) 453-3600, or send us a message to speak to an attorney.