Whether you are in a large commercial jet or a small personal or independent aircraft, a Houston airplane crash is undoubtedly terrifying and can have enormous implications for everyone involved.
Regardless of the size of the plane, a crash is rarely the fault of the passenger. Surviving passengers and families of deceased passengers may be legally entitled to seek compensation for their losses.
Choosing a Plane Crash Attorney – Houston
Airplane accident cases make up a small fraction of personal injury cases nationwide, though they almost always have catastrophic consequences. As a result, few personal injury lawyers have ever handled an aircraft accident.
For your best chance at receiving the compensation you deserve, seeking counsel from an experienced plane crash attorney in Houston is essential. It takes a skilled firm with the necessary resources to prosecute airplane accident cases successfully.
The families of those lost in airplane crashes and the survivors often do not know where to turn after a devastating crash. If you or your loved one have been involved in an airplane accident, the lawyers at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP are ready to assist.
Our compassionate team has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of personal injury victims in Houston and surrounding areas.
What Does a Houston Aviation Accident Attorney Do?
Our skilled legal team understands that every accident is unique, and there is no boilerplate legal strategy that will optimize recovery for your claim.
An experience plane crash attorney in Houston will fulfill your legal needs in a number of ways, including:
- Evaluate the circumstances of your accident to determine if you may have a valid legal claim;
- Carefully investigate the accident, consult with experts, and gather meaningful evidence to understand the cause and who should be held liable;
- Help you determine the value of your claim so that you do not accept a settlement that is less than what you are entitled to receive;
- Seek compensation from all liable parties through settlement negotiations and litigation if necessary; and
- Ensure you meet all legal deadlines for pursuing compensation.
The large majority of personal injury cases are indeed settled before they go to trial. We are confident in our ability to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf and are not afraid to take your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Compensation for a Houston Plane Crash
If you were injured in a plane crash, you should not have to bear the responsibility for the expenses associated with your injury, including its impact on your overall well-being.
Economic damages generally cover the actual expenses incurred, such as the cost of medical care, physical therapy, medication, lost wages, and more.
Non-economic damages are harder to quantify, but they are also important. This compensation attempts to make up for physical, mental, and emotional damage, such as pain and suffering, post-traumatic stress, depression, and other issues caused by the crash.
Plane Crash and Aviation Liability Law
Aviation law is complex. Commercial and non-commercial flights differ in the amount of care that is owed to passengers.
Large airlines, such as United, Delta, and Southwest, are held to a very high safety standard, much like the standard doctors and lawyers are expected to meet in their respective professions.
Commercial airlines are expected to take every reasonable precaution to prevent airplane crashes and injuries from occurring.
There are even international agreements that govern the amount of recovery that an individual may receive. It is important to secure counsel from a plane crash attorney in Houston who understands these nuanced laws.
On a non-commercial flight, a private aircraft owner, its pilot, and mechanics are expected to use ordinary and reasonable care when operating and maintaining the aircraft.
The circumstances of the crash will determine who is held liable, which may be multiple parties. In many cases, the plane owner will be held or share liability for the accident, although there may be circumstances where the responsibility falls entirely to someone else.
Aviation Accident Investigations
The causes of airplane crashes can range from faulty maintenance, poor weather, pilot error, traffic control error, design defects, warning defects, and others. To compound the difficulty, government investigations can take months or even years to conclude.
Aircraft accidents involve an initial investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the manufacturer of the aircraft of any parts suspected of causing or contributing to the accident.
The victims’ families are not permitted to participate in this investigation. Even before the investigation begins, your Houston aviation accident attorney should hire experts to evaluate the available crash scene evidence and evidence from first responders as it becomes available.
Once made available, a careful inspection of the aircraft is also required. Contact us to schedule your free case consultation.