Whether you have a fear of flying or not, airline accidents can be traumatic. Even minor accidents can be frightening and leave you with injuries. Airlines and their personnel are responsible for following all federal and state regulations and ensuring safety at all times. If any party involved in operations was negligent, an airline accident lawyer in Chicago can help you recover compensation for your injuries.
The empathetic team at Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. has more than 75 years of combined experience representing clients against negligent parties. We fight to ensure that you’re not taken advantage of by airline companies and have the support you need during a difficult time in your life. A Chicago personal injury lawyer is your strongest ally when you’ve been hurt in an airline accident.
Common Factors That Contribute to Airline Accidents
Airline accidents can range from minor to catastrophic and be caused by a variety of factors. Even though plane accidents are not regular occurrences, they are capable of causing considerable damage and injury when they occur. While passengers may or may not sustain injuries in every type of accident, it’s important to understand what caused the issues. Common factors in plane accidents may include:
- Pilot errors
- Communication errors
- Turbulence and in-cabin accidents
- Insufficient fuel
- Bad weather
- Takeoff or landing issues
- Mechanical failure
- Mistakes from air traffic controllers
- Poor maintenance
- Defective aircraft or parts
The factors involved in an accident influence the outcome, who is liable, and what your options may be as a passenger and victim. That’s why gathering evidence, if possible, and talking with a lawyer is so important after an accident. Evidence can help document and strengthen your claim, and legal support can provide valuable insight into how to proceed with a case to recover your losses, big or small.
Evidence is Essential When Pursuing an Airline Accident Case
If you’ve suffered injuries in an airline accident, you need to gather as much evidence as you can to effectively support a claim against an airline and its employees. Medical records, accident reports, wage information, and photos/videos of your injuries and the scene of the accident can show the extent and severity of losses caused by an aviation accident. You should also document your suffering.
Lawyers also gather evidence when investigating the accident that you may not have access to. This may include black box data, communication logs and recordings, weather reports, inspection and maintenance records, and more. They can also contact people who were witnesses to the plane accident and get statements from them that can be used as evidence to further support your airline claim.
Airlines and their insurance and legal teams may try to avoid taking responsibility for an accident. Thoroughly documenting the accident and your losses can help ensure that your case can withstand their pushback. Our team is prepared to build a strong case and aggressively fight for you, whether we are able to reach a settlement agreement or have to take your case to court.
A Chicago Airline Accident Lawyer Can Help You Navigate the Complexities of Liability
Airline accidents are highly complex cases that involve navigating state and federal factors, as well as multiple levels of liability. Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. has a deep knowledge of aviation law and can help you identify and hold the right party accountable for causing an accident. In addition to investigations conducted by various officials, we also conduct our own due diligence.
With the information and evidence available in your case, we work diligently to determine which party is at fault for your accident. This could include negligent airline pilots, airline companies that violated FAA Regulations, manufacturers who made defective aircraft, technicians who poorly maintained the aircraft, and air traffic controllers who made errors in directing planes in the sky or on the runway.
With the right party identified, our team builds a case based on the evidence we’ve collected to establish the at-fault party’s negligence. We begin by showing that the airline or its personnel owed a duty of care to your safety. However, when they were careless in their duties, they breached their duty and caused an accident, including your injuries and losses. As such, they may be liable for your damages.
Airline Accident Compensation That You May Be Entitled to Recover in Illinois
Aviation accidents can cause extensive and overwhelming losses for you and your family. Access to resources is essential for medical recovery and rebuilding your life, which is why securing maximum compensation after an accident is important. When working with a lawyer, they can walk you through what expenses you can claim in an injury case like this. Some recoverable losses may include:
- Medical expenses, including the cost of future care, rehabilitation, equipment, or accommodations
- Loss of wages during your recovery
- Lost earning potential if you’re unable to continue to work due to injuries
- Funeral and burial expenses for fatal accidents
- Pain and suffering
- Reduction in your quality of life and ability to enjoy activities
- Emotional distress, including anxiety and depression
- PTSD symptoms
- Loss of consortium or companionship due to injuries
Identifying all of your losses after an accident can feel overwhelming, but an airline accident attorney in Chicago can help you make sure that none are left out. We conduct a meticulous inventory and carefully calculate your current and future losses so we can submit a settlement request based on the true value of your case. We present this information to applicable parties and fiercely negotiate a fair offer.
Enlist the Aid of Our Team After an Airline Accident
Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., knows how traumatic airline accidents can be, and we fiercely advocate for you so you can recover the losses you suffered.
Our team is also skilled at holding commercial airlines and their legal teams accountable for their actions. Review our case results and testimonials and schedule a free consultation with a Chicago airline accident attorney today.