Boca Raton Aviation Accident Lawyers
Aviation is much safer today than it was twenty or thirty years ago. However, there’s a big difference between safer and safe. Commercial aviation is by no means safe. That’s especially true of small airplanes. Airplane crashes, which usually happen during takeoff or landing, often leave no survivors. When that happens, the survivors need answers, and quite frankly, they also need money.
The diligent Boca Raton aviation accident lawyers at Smith, Ball & Báez give these families both answers and compensation. Our legal team thoroughly investigates airplane crashes. We aren’t satisfied with a “probable” or “likely” cause. Once we build a strong foundation, we are well-positioned to obtain maximum compensation for your serious injuries. This compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.
What Causes Aviation Accidents?
Pilot error causes almost all of the aviation accidents in Florida. Some common kinds of pilot error include:
- Inadequate Pre-Flight Check: Pilots aren’t mechanics, but they have sharp eyes and they know their planes. They can tell if something is wrong based solely on a visual inspection. Alas, many pilots are in such a hurry to take off that they don’t take this basic safety precaution.
- Flying Into Bad Weather: Confidence is an excellent trait for a pilot. Overconfidence is a dangerous trait. Nevertheless, when they expect bad weather during takeoff or landing, many pilots take an “I’ve got this” overconfident approach to these issues. Their passengers pay the price.
- Communication Breakdown: This problem is especially common among more experienced pilots. When people do the same things and say the same things over and over, it’s easy to get into a rut. Additionally, when these pilots talk to air traffic controllers, they often hear what they want to hear.
- Insufficient Fuel: This final bullet point relates back to the first one. Pre-flight checks include not only visual inspections but also simple math. Frequently, pilots simply miscalculate the amount of fuel they need to reach their destinations and have a healthy reserve. When pilots make these kinds of mistakes, people get hurt.
Pilots aren’t the only people who make mistakes and cause injuries. Mechanics often make errors as well. Instead of thoroughly completing repair jobs, they sometimes do just enough to get by. That’s not good enough to fulfill their legal safety responsibilities.
Passengers place their safety entirely into the hands of pilots and mechanics. Therefore, these professionals have a high duty of care. If they fall short, a Boca Raton aviation accident lawyer can obtain the aforementioned compensation in court.
Liability Issues
The aforementioned pilot and mechanic errors are usually negligence, since the duty of care is so high. Compensation is available if an attorney proves negligence, or a lack of care, by a preponderance of the evidence, or more likely than not.
Evidence in an aviation accident claim usually includes the official crash investigation report, medical bills, and witness statements. These investigation reports are usually much more thorough than car crash police reports. Federal agencies have a lot more resources than state or local agencies.
Third-party liability, like respondeat superior employer liability, could apply as well. Mechanics often work for airports, and small plane pilots often work for small airlines. Respondeat superior applies if the tortfeasor (negligent actor) was an employee who was working in the course and scope of employment at the time of the accident.
Connect With a Thorough Palm Beach County Plane Accident Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced aviation accident lawyer in Boca Raton, contact Smith, Ball, Baez & Prather, Florida Injury Lawyers. We routinely handle matters throughout the Treasure Coast region.
