Aviation Accident Attorney in Jacksonville

Air transportation is considered safer than train and automobile transport. According to statistics, aviation accidents occur in 6.84 of every 100,000 flight hours. The fatality rate associated with airplane crashes is 0.01 per every 100 million miles traveled.

However, despite the positive statistics, aviation accidents do occur. When they happen, they are often deadly. Aircraft travel at great heights and speeds, and an accident in midair or on the runway often doesn’t leave enough time for passengers to disembark. 

Most airplane crashes occur due to human error. Pilots may make critical mistakes during takeoff or landing, resulting in severe accidents. While airplane crashes have decreased significantly since the 1980s and 1990s, more individuals are using helicopters and private jets for travel.

Helicopters and private jets aren’t subject to the numerous regulations of traditional airplanes. Thus, the room for pilot error and malfunctioning equipment is more substantial. We may likely see a rise in aviation accidents as the use of helicopters and private jets continues to increase.

No, not all aircraft collisions result in death. However, the likelihood of death is far greater than in automobile accidents due to planes’ speed and heights. Survivors of aviation accidents often experience severe injuries, including traumatic brain injury, broken bones, spinal cord damage, and lacerations. 

In addition to physical injuries, the emotional distress associated with experiencing a plane crash is often severe. Survivors may struggle with extensive PTSD from their ordeal, including memories of the impact and difficulties with sleep. 

If other passengers lost their lives in the crash, they might struggle with nightmares of the victims. Survivors who lose loved ones or friends in the accident may have even more difficulty as they lose their future companionship.

An attorney can’t heal you from physical or mental suffering, and they can’t replace the people you’ve lost in an aviation accident. However, an aviation accident attorney can help you recover financial damages for your losses. 

You can use the compensation to pay for past and future medical costs and as a replacement for income if you can no longer work due to the accident.

Each state has statute of limitations laws that cap the amount of time a person has to file a personal injury lawsuit. In Florida, victims have up to four years to file a lawsuit involving negligence, such as from injuries sustained in an aviation accident or automobile crash. 

Personal injury cases that don’t include negligence may be filed up to two years following the date of the incident.

Statute of limitations laws in Florida aren’t as clear-cut as in other states. Sometimes, people confuse whether their case fits into the two-year or four-year category. 

In any personal injury case, seeking legal advice as quickly as possible following an accident is best. You don’t want to wait too long and find that your case becomes time-barred. 

Your Jacksonville aviation accident attorney will need time to assemble evidence from the accident, speak with medical and aviation experts, and determine your case strategy. It’s best to talk with an attorney as quickly as possible following the incident. 

The value of an aviation accident case depends on the severity of the injuries suffered and how much of a financial impact they had on you. 

Accidents that result in minor wounds are not likely to recover much in damages. Conversely, individuals who experience severe injuries or whose family members perish in an aviation accident may obtain more compensation.

There are three types of damages available to aviation accident victims. These include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. 

Economic damages include costs related to past and future medical expenses, lost wages and future income, and household costs for service providers while you are recovering from injuries. 

Your lawyer will determine any non-economic damages that may be due to you. Non-economic damages include compensation for mental pain and anguish, emotional distress, disability and disfigurement, and loss of companionship or parental guidance in a wrongful death case.

If your case goes to court, the judge may award punitive damages. Punitive damages punish the defendant for acts of extreme negligence. For instance, if the pilot of your plane was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash, a judge may award punitive damages to surviving victims or their families.

An aviation accident attorney will assess your case to determine the appropriate amount of damages for the crash.

Many people fear the expenses associated with hiring a lawyer. Instead, they accept the first settlement an insurance agency provides, assuming they won’t be able to collect any more money from the incident. 

Accepting a settlement without seeking the advice of an attorney is a mistake. Insurance agencies seek to protect their bottom line by minimizing any payments they offer. 

Victims who accept a settlement may not recover enough money to satisfy their medical expenses and lost income. They end up paying more from their pockets for an accident they didn’t cause.

At Morgan & Morgan, we offer free consultations to all prospective clients. During the consultation, we’ll review the facts of your case and the details you provide. If you decide to give us your case, you’ll pay no legal expenses until your issue fully resolves. 

There is no hourly billing with our team. Instead, we offer contingency fee arrangements. Under our agreement, we receive a percentage of any settlement or court verdict we win on your behalf. If we lose your case, you do not owe us any money for our services.

Aviation accident cases are often complex. There may be more than one person at fault for the incident, including the pilot, air traffic controllers, equipment manufacturers, and the maintenance team. It will take time for our attorneys to evaluate the circumstances of the crash and determine who is liable for your injuries.

If the defendants are willing to provide a fair settlement for your case, you may receive compensation in less than six months. However, it may take several years to resolve if the case goes to court. 

Court cases usually involve multiple appearances scheduled according to the judge’s availability. In addition, both plaintiffs and defendants will need to prepare witnesses and evidence concerning the crash. 

Your aviation attorney at Morgan & Morgan will advise you on the likelihood of a settlement or whether your case may end up in court.