Helping Aviation Accident Survivors File Claims, Seek Justice & Recover
You put a lot of faith in others every time you fly. No matter what type of aircraft you fly in — or whether you’re the pilot or a passenger on a flight — there’s a lot you can’t control. And it could only take one act of negligence to cause a horrific aviation accident.
Whenever planes, helicopters, and other aircraft crash, survivors and their loved ones can start getting answers about their rights and legal options here.
They can also turn to an experienced Texas airplane accident attorney for more information about a potential claim and the next steps.
What Causes Most Plane Crashes & Aviation Accidents?
The most common causes of aviation accidents and plane wrecks include:
- Pilot errors: Nearly 50% of all aviation accidents involve at least one pilot error. Some of those crash-causing errors include misreading gauges, communication failures with air traffic control, and failures to adjust course or maneuvers in light of changing conditions. These and other pilot errors can result from all sorts of factors, like inexperience, impairment, fatigue, and a lack of training.
- Crew errors: This can include the mistakes made by flight crew and ground crew. For flight crew, errors that cause aviation accidents can include failing to detect in-cabin threats and failures to go over pre-flight checklists. For ground crew, fueling missteps, taxiing mistakes, and failures to detect certain aircraft damage are just a few errors that can contribute to aviation accidents.
- Air traffic controller errors: When negligence on the part of air traffic controllers is a factor in aviation accidents, the errors can include misguiding pilots, communication failures between air traffic controllers, and violations of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
- Unsafe aircraft design: Wing shape and size, fuel storage and location, and cargo doors securement are just a few elements that can contribute to aviation accidents if they aren’t properly designed.
- Mechanical problems: Equipment failures and malfunctions can occur when aircraft isn’t adequately maintained or when equipment is inherently flawed (due to design or manufacturing errors, for instance). Anything from landing gear and brake failures to malfunctioning gauges, software, and sensors could end up playing a role in an aviation crash.
- Adverse weather: Heavy fog, violent thunderstorms, and other harsh weather can make it far more challenging to safely take off, control, and land aircraft. While the weather is clearly not in anyone’s control, aviation professionals have certain responsibilities and protocols they need to follow when bad weather sets in. Failures to do so can cause the chances of an aviation accident to skyrocket.
These and other causes of aviation accidents can impact all types of aircraft, including (but not limited to):
- Commercial airliners
- Air taxis
- Private planes
- Charter planes
- Corporate jets
- Helicopters
What Happens After an Aviation Accident in Texas?
Generally, a few standard things happen whenever aircraft wreck inside or outside of Texas. That includes:
- Emergency response to aid victims: Emergency responders will rush to the scene to provide immediate aid and try to save lives. If anyone has life-threatening injuries, emergency responders will rush them to the hospital (sometimes via helicopter).
- A federal investigation: Investigators from the FAA (and possibly other agencies) will likely look into the crash to determine the causes and whether violations of any federal aviation regulations were a factor in the aviation accident. If so, those responsible for the violations could face fines and/or other penalties.
- Other investigations: Airliners, victims’ lawyers, and others may conduct their own investigations into an aviation accident. With these inquiries, the goal is typically to defend against or establish liability.
What to Do During & After an Airplane Accident
If you’re ever in a plane or helicopter crash, here are the key steps to take if at all possible:
- Put on your oxygen mask ASAP. Then, assist your child(ren) and/or those around you in getting their oxygen masks on.
- Brace yourself. Find and hold onto a solid, heavy item, like your seat, as the crash occurs.
- Listen and follow directions. Flight crew members are trained for this type of scenario. They will tell you what to do, so listen and do as they instruct.
- Get low. Smoke rises, and there’s usually plenty of smoke after aviation accidents. So, stay low, close the ground, after the crash. It could take as little as 2 to 10 minutes for smoke inhalation to cause severe or deadly complications.
- Exit the aircraft ASAP. Immediately after the wreck, make your way to the nearest exit and get as far away from the plane as you can (ideally at least 500 feet away, upwind). Do NOT try to get your luggage and do NOT remain onboard. Fuel leaks and other potential hazards can pose life-threatening dangers after aircraft crashes.
- Wait for emergency responders. Rescue crew will likely be on their way if they aren’t already at the scene of a plane crash. So, stay where you are, at a safe distance from the plane (~500 feet away) and wait for emergency crew to arrive, check you out, and provide further assistance.
Airplane Crash & Aviation Accident Statistics
Over the past two decades, aviation accidents have sharply declined. In fact, the latest statistics show a roughly 40% drop in aviation accidents since 2000. Despite that favorable trend, there’s still an average of 3 aviation accidents every day in the U.S.
Additionally, the latest statistics on aviation accidents reveal that:
- About 4 in every 5 aviation accidents occur during takeoff or landing — in other words, during the first 5 minutes of a flight and the last 10 minutes of it.
- Jet hull losses and turboprop hull losses are a couple of the most common mechanical issues that contribute to aviation accidents.
- Deaths in aviation accidents have declined by nearly 20% since 2019. Still, more than 300 people are killed each year in airplane crashes, helicopter wrecks, and other aviation accidents.
- Most airplane accidents involve on-demand flights, meaning charter flights or flights that don’t have set schedules.
These cold, hard facts about aviation accidents are stunning, and they do shed some light on how it may be possible to prevent aviation deaths. Still, the numbers don’t do justice to the victims of these accidents. An experienced Texas airplane accident lawyer can, however.
Who’s Liable for Airplane Accidents in Texas?
Any party whose errors or negligence contributed to an aircraft accident can be liable for it. Depending on a given aviation accident, those parties could include (and may not be limited to):
- Pilots and/or flight crew
- Aircraft mechanics and/or ground maintenance crew
- Commercial airline companies
- Air traffic controllers
- Airports
- Aircraft engineers, designers, and/or equipment manufacturers
In many aircraft crashes, more than one factor is involved in causing the accident, and it takes an in-depth investigation to unearth each cause.
For accident survivors, a Texas aviation accident lawyer can provide key help and guidance when it comes to aviation accident investigations, liability determinations, and pursuing claims.
What Damages Are Paid for Airplane Accident Claims?
Compensation for an aviation accident claim depends on the injuries, suffering, and losses victims have suffered — along with the nature of the negligence and possibly other factors. That’s one reason why compensation has to be calculated on a case-by-case basis. It’s also why compensation calculations can be complex in nature.
To get a general idea of what can be included in compensation for aviation accident claims, see the table below.
Compensatory Damages
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
| Funeral & burial expenses | Pain & suffering |
| Medical bills | Loss of companionship |
| Lost earnings & benefits | Loss of affection & intimacy |
| Damaged property | Permanent impacts to quality of life |
Get answers about what type of aviation accident compensation you may be entitled to by talking to an attorney.
Find Out More About a Potential Aviation Accident Case
You don’t have to pay a single cent to get important information about a potential aviation accident claim. Simply reach out to an experienced Texas airplane accident lawyer for confidential counsel and answers that could help you recover.
For decades, the Texas aviation accident attorneys at the Amaro Law Firm have been trusted, ardent advocates for victims, working to bring even the toughest litigation to successful resolutions.
No matter when you need answers about your legal options, our lawyers are standing by, ready to help and prepared to take action to help you recover.
Learn more about your rights, a potential claim, and what we can do for you in a free, confidential consultation.