Travel by air in the U.S. is generally safe considering how few accidents there are compared to the tens of thousands of airplanes that fly every day. However, when something does go wrong, the risk of injury and death is obvious. While commercial airline disasters are national news, numerous general aviation accidents at small airports in Texas and elsewhere across the U.S. leave people seriously injured or grieving the loss of loved ones.
When considering air travel in the United States, it is important to understand that:
- Safety Record: Overall, air travel in the U.S. is considered safe, given the low number of accidents relative to the vast number of flights that occur daily. The aviation industry has stringent safety protocols and regulations in place to ensure passenger safety.
- Risk of Accidents: Despite the generally safe nature of air travel, when incidents do occur, the consequences can be severe in terms of injuries and fatalities. Airplane accidents, though rare, can have a significant impact due to the high speeds and altitudes involved.
- Commercial Airline Disasters: Major accidents involving commercial airlines often receive widespread media coverage due to their scale and impact. These incidents can lead to national or even international attention, highlighting the importance of safety measures in the aviation industry.
- General Aviation Accidents: In contrast to commercial airline disasters, there are also numerous general aviation accidents that occur at small airports across the U.S., including in Texas. General aviation refers to non-commercial flights, such as private planes and charter aircraft.
These accidents can result in serious injuries or fatalities, affecting individuals and families who may be left grappling with the aftermath of such tragedies. - Impact on Individuals: General aviation accidents can have a profound effect on those involved, leading to physical injuries, emotional trauma, and the loss of loved ones. The repercussions of these accidents can be felt at a personal level, highlighting the importance of safety awareness and regulatory compliance in aviation.
The fatal crash of a hobbyist’s small plane at the Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport near Brownsville in December reminds us how the pursuit of an avocation can turn tragic. As with other aircraft crashes, a team of specialists from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the crash and determine the cause.
When an airplane accident has been caused by negligence, the carrier or individual owners of the aircraft or third-party service providers may be held liable for individuals’ injuries and for losses suffered by the family of the deceased. The personal injury attorneys of Herrman & Herrman pursue aviation accident claims on behalf of clients in Brownsville and across South Texas. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a plane accident that someone else caused, contact us to set up a free legal consultation about your rights to compensation.
Causes of Aircraft Accidents in Brownsville
While most of us are more familiar with commercial airlines, most local airport activity in towns like Brownsville revolves around general aviation, which refers to civil aircraft operations other than commercial air transport or aerial work operations. The United States has the largest and most diverse general aviation community in the world, with more than 220,000 active aircraft, including amateur-built aircraft.
In 2018, the most recent year for which statistics are available, the NTSB says there were 231 fatal aviation accidents, of which 224 were in general aviation, seven involved commuter and on-demand carriers and one involved air carriers.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), inflight loss of control – mainly stalls – accounts for the largest number of fatal accidents. Other leading causes of fatal general aviation accidents include:
- Controlled flight into terrain
- System component failures
- Fuel-related accidents
- Unintended flight in instrument meteorological conditions
- Midair collisions
- Low-altitude operations.
Many general aviation accidents are ultimately recorded as cause unknown.
But there are people behind each of these causes of aircraft accidents. NTSB investigations show that more than 88 percent of all chartered plane crashes can be attributed, at least in part, to pilot error. This is typically a pilot’s loss of control of the aircraft.
Pilots, air traffic controllers and flight crew members make errors that lead to accidents.
Crashes can occur cause because of the same types of negligence as committed by drivers of cars and trucks, such as:
- Distraction
- Impairment due to fatigued or drowsiness
- Alcohol or drug impairment
- Misjudging weather conditions
- Misreading equipment
- Failing to heed or misunderstanding warning signals.
In other cases, an investigation may determine an accident was caused by:
- Neglected maintenance. Aircraft maintenance and inspections are typically provided by contractors. Records examined after a crash may show delayed work, scheduling errors, poorly trained personnel or other reasons work was not performed adequately.
- Manufacturing flaws. If the cause of a crash is attributed to the aircraft or any of its component parts failing due to design or manufacturing flaws, manufacturers may be held accountable through a product liability claim.
Seeking Compensation for Aircraft Accident Losses
The outcome of the Brownsville aircraft crash will center on the results of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. NTSB findings, published as preliminary and final reports, are public information, so all those affected by the crash will have access to them.
In crashes in which negligence is found to be a contributing factor, those who have been injured may seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses, from emergency care to surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation and counseling.
- Lost income while recuperating and due to disability and reduced earning capacity caused by the accident.
- Pain and suffering, including mental anguish and loss of consortium.
- Punitive damages. In cases of outrageous behavior, such as the sabotage of an aircraft, additional compensation meant to punish the wrongdoer may be available.
In large aviation disasters, the airline and/or other corporations involved are well-insured and may have funds set up soon after an accident in anticipation of having to settle multiple claims.
In smaller cases, a general aviation company that employs the pilot and/or crew, the aircraft owner, a third-party vendor or the local government that operates the airport may be held liable. The company’s business liability insurance may be compelled to pay claims filed by the injured in cases of negligence on the part of the company or its employee.
To ensure proper payment of your claim, you need to ensure you are demanding all that you are due. With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney at Herrman & Herrman in Brownsville, you can be sure that all of your losses are considered and included in your claim. We can ensure that your claim is submitted in a timely manner with all filing requirements and deadlines met, while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
