Austin Commercial Airline Accident Attorneys
Commercial flights are often considered to be a safe mode of travel, but problems can still occur. If an issue occurs, passengers on board could be seriously hurt or even killed. Incidents can range from crashes to extreme turbulence to hard landings, among other problems.
Slack Davis is here when you or someone you love is hurt in a commercial airline accident. Our legal team understands the law, and we have decades of experience fighting for victims. Give us a call or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with an Austin commercial airline accident lawyer to learn more.
How Can Slack Davis Help After an Accident on a Commercial Flight?
After a commercial aircraft accident, Slack Davis can help you understand your rights, gather evidence, and build a strong claim. Our firm:
- Helps you identify defendants: We'll carefully review data from the onboard recorder, flight maintenance records, and more to identify the potential cause of the crash and determine who could be liable.
- Build a strong claim: Our team includes former pilots, and members of our team were NASA aerospace engineers. We understand aviation and can grasp the technical details involved in an effective investigation that enables us to build a solid case.
- Negotiate a settlement: We can often negotiate with the airline or other defendants to help you reach a settlement agreement and recover compensation out of court. This can allow for a timely resolution without lengthy court proceedings.
- Go to trial: Our team includes experienced Austin aviation accident litigators. We're prepared and ready to go to court and have stood up to some of the largest airlines in the country.
We'll be there at every step of your case to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Who May Be Held Responsible for an Austin Commercial Airline Accident?
Multiple potential defendants can be held liable when an accident happens with a commercial airline. Some of the different parties you could pursue a claim against include:
- The airline: Airlines must follow safety rules and regulations. If the airline fails in its own obligations, it can be held liable for losses. It can also be vicariously liable for negligent employees, so it can be held responsible if pilot errors or maintenance errors cause an incident.
- The pilot: Pilots flying for commercial airlines must undergo intensive training to obtain certification. Unfortunately, they can still make careless human errors that put others at risk. If a pilot is distracted, fatigued, intoxicated, or makes any mistakes when operating the plane, the pilot may be liable.
- The maintenance crew: Routine maintenance is required for commercial airlines and must be performed correctly. When the maintenance crew overlooks an issue they should have identified or makes an error in repairing or maintaining the plane, they can be held responsible for the resulting damage.
- Air traffic control: Air traffic controllers who don't communicate properly, who become distracted, or who become fatigued could cause a crash. Since air traffic controllers are often employed by the government, pursuing a claim can be more complicated, as there are extra procedural requirements to fulfill.
In some cases, multiple defendants can be held liable for a crash or other incident on a commercial flight.
How to Prove Negligence in Austin Commercial Aviation Accidents
Proving negligence requires establishing that there was a duty of care or that the pilot, maintenance crew, and airline owed you an obligation. Those involved in the maintenance and operation of commercial flights have a duty to all passengers to follow proper procedures and operate a safe flight.
You'll also have to show a breach of the duty, and that the breach was the direct cause of harm. Demonstrating a violation of a safety rule or showing unreasonable carelessness in setting policies, maintaining the plane, or operating the plane can allow you to satisfy your burden of proof. You have to show these failures were the direct cause of the crash or other incident.
Slack Davis can help you gather the necessary evidence to prove negligence, including:
- Data from the plane's black box (onboard recorder)
- Maintenance records
- Employment manuals
- Hiring records
- The pilot's training record, licensing, and certifications
- Air traffic control logs
These are just some of the many different types of evidence our team can help you collect. Because we are former pilots, we understand what can go wrong and know how to build strong claims.
Most Common Causes of Austin Commercial Aviation Accidents
There are many different causes of commercial aviation accidents. Here are some causes of cases we have handled in the past:
These are just some of the many things that can go wrong on a commercial flight:
- Errors on takeoff
- Pilot negligence
- Improper rudder use by the first officer
- Mishandling hazardous materials
- Pilot fatigue
In these and other situations, Slack Davis can help you determine and prove the cause of your accident and injuries so you can take legal action.
Most Common Injuries Sustained From Austin Commercial Aviation Accidents
Injuries can happen due to hard landings, extreme turbulence, a plane crash, or other incidents on a commercial flight. Some of the most common injuries suffered by victims include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Crushing injuries
- Burns
- Disfigurement
- Severe cuts
- Soft tissue damage
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
The force and impact of a crash on a large commercial flight can, unfortunately, often be fatal.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Commercial Aviation Accident in Austin?
You should be compensated in full for all losses resulting from the commercial aviation accident. This means you should be paid for:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages and any future reduction in earnings because of lasting injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death damages
Contact an Austin Commercial Airline Accident Lawyer Today
An Austin commercial airline accident lawyer at Slack Davis can help you in your pursuit of justice. Give us a call at (800) 455-8686 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation and find out more about how we can help.