Many Fresno residents travel on aircraft to visit friends and family, attend business meetings and conferences, and see new places. While airplanes and helicopters are generally safe, catastrophic aviation accidents can occur due to poor visibility, mechanical failures, and pilot error. If you or a loved one suffers injuries due to a negligence-caused airplane crash, you may be eligible for financial compensation—and Freedman Law can help. Our Fresno aviation accident attorneys represent Fresno residents in their claims against airlines, pilots, and other liable parties. We will fight diligently to secure the settlement you need.
Aviation is a booming industry in Fresno. The city is a large home base for private jet charters and hangers. Several airports, airfields, and heliports are based in and around Fresno, including the following:
An aviation accident can be a terrifying, life-altering experience. These devastating incidents often result in fatalities and severe injuries to surviving passengers. Aircraft accidents can happen for several reasons, including poor weather, faulty equipment, and negligence on behalf of the pilot, airline, or airport.
Some of the most common causes of aviation accidents include the following.
Aviation accident cases can also arise from in-flight injuries rather than a crash. For example, from:
Although turbulence is often unavoidable, pilots can warn passengers or light up the seatbelt sign in an effort to prevent injuries.
If flight attendants fail to check that overhead baggage compartments are shut and secure, heavy pieces of luggage can fall on top of passengers during flight.
Passengers can be thrown from their seats during take-off, a landing, or turbulence if their seatbelt breaks or doesn’t latch.
If a flight attendant forgets to lock a heavy food and beverage cart or the lock doesn’t work, it can run into passengers or over their feet.
Torn carpeting or poorly lit areas can cause trip and fall accidents.
Flight attendants may unintentionally spill hot beverages on a passenger that they are serving.
In these preventable accidents, passengers can suffer severe injuries that require medical care and time off from work to recover. For instance, severe lacerations, bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, neck or back injuries, strains and sprains, burns, and more.
Negligence often leads to aviation accidents. If you are injured in an aircraft crash in Fresno, you could file an aviation injury lawsuit against the person or company responsible for the accident. By filing a personal injury lawsuit, you can recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the accident.
Multiple parties could be liable for an aviation accident, including the following.
A Fresno personal injury attorney from Freedman Law can help you identify the cause of your aircraft accident and the liable parties. Our firm will leverage valuable resources to support your claim, including statements from expert witnesses who can testify on your behalf.
When another party’s negligence is responsible for a Fresno aviation accident, you have the right to pursue compensation. The types of compensation available can vary case by case, but victims commonly recover the following:
Compensation for actual monetary losses, such as:
Compensation for non-monetary losses that are subjective and harder to prove. For instance:
Punitive damages are only granted in cases when a defendant ( at-fault party) exhibited an extreme disregard for the safety of others. This type of compensation is intended to punish the defendant and deter others from similar actions.
Due to the catastrophic nature of aviation accidents, many people do not survive their injuries. Many Fresno families believe that they have no legal recourse after a devastating loss. However, this is not the case.
If you lost a loved one in an aviation accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim on his or her behalf. Generally, you could file a wrongful death lawsuit in Fresno if your loved one would have been able to file a personal injury claim over the same event.
Under California law, only certain individuals can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a deceased person. Speak to an attorney at Freedman Law to determine your case eligibility.
If you are injured in an aviation accident while performing your job duties, you may be eligible for a workers’ compensation claim. For example, a flight attendant who breaks a bone during sudden turbulence would be eligible for this coverage. Medical staff transporting a patient to a hospital via helicopter can file a workers’ compensation claim if the aircraft crashes. Airplane crashes commonly lead to serious burn injuries. A burn injury attorney in Fresno is prepared to fight for justice on your behalf.
All California employers must carry this insurance in the event of an employee injury, regardless of the number of employees. You can recover the following benefits by filing a workers’ compensation claim.
It is important to remember that filing a workers’ compensation claim will prevent you from filing a lawsuit against your employer. If you believe that negligence may be involved in your accident, speak to an attorney at Freedman Law as soon as possible to identify your optimal path to compensation.
If you or a loved one was involved in an aircraft accident, Freedman Law can help. Our aviation and car accident attorneys in Fresno can help you hold the responsible parties accountable and secure the settlement that you deserve. Reach out online or call 559-447-9000 and discuss your legal options with Fresno’s highest rated personal injury firm.