Airplane Accidents Attorneys in Lexington, Kentucky

Modern airplanes are remarkable pieces of machinery, but the complexity of these crafts also poses an increased risk of airplane accidents. While relatively rare when compared to incidents such as car accidents, the injuries that airplane accident victims may suffer are often extremely serious, potentially causing permanent physical disability or even death.

Airplane accident victims and their families may have to cope with a wide range of consequences, and at Wilson & McQueen PLLC, our Lexington attorneys know that taking legal action following such a serious accident may be the last thing on your mind. However, a successful legal claim can provide you and your family with the assistance you need to cover the many expenses that can arise in the wake of such a serious accident.

Our Airplane Accident Practice Areas

Unfortunately, there are a number of different things that can result in a devastating plane accident, and at Wilson & McQueen PLLC, we are ready to put our team’s considerable experience to work on a wide range of airplane accident cases.

Pilot Error

Traveling by airplane is typically a safe and easy method of long-distance transportation; however, positive flying experiences depend on the number of airline employees making the flight go smoothly. Of these employees, the pilot is perhaps the most responsible individual involved. For this reason, an error on his or her part can result in catastrophic consequences. Even the smallest mistake, oversight, lapse in judgment, or failure to perform due diligence can result in injuries to passengers or even a devastating plane accident.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an airplane crash that was caused by an error on the part of the pilot, you are probably eligible to claim compensation for your suffering. Depending on your injuries, you may need to file several types of claims. The most common personal injury claims made after a plane accident involve the following:

• Pain and suffering

• Medical bills

• Rehabilitation costs

• Wrongful death

Whatever the circumstances of the plane accident may have been, there may be a long period of recovery ahead. This may involve recovering from injuries or even recovering from the loss of a loved one. Regardless, if pilot error contributed to your injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one, you have every right to pursue financial compensation from the party responsible for the accident.

Pilot Intoxication

Airplane passengers must place a massive amount of trust in the flight crew to carry them safely to their destination. When pilots enter their cockpits with the intention of flying their aircraft, they assume responsibility for the safety of each and every passenger aboard the plane. That’s why a pilot who has consumed alcohol or other intoxicants before taking control of a flight should be held accountable for the severity of his or her transgression. In fact, pilots are held to a very high standard when it comes to intoxication. Both commercial and private pilots must adhere to state laws as well as Federal Aviation Regulations.

There have been cases of intoxicated pilots arriving at their destinations without incident, but there have also been other cases in which passengers were not so lucky. At Wilson & McQueen PLLC, we know that the outcome does not necessarily make a difference when a pilot operates a plane under the influence, as passengers’ lives are put at risk regardless. Any situation in which innocent individuals’ trust and rights are violated is unacceptable.

Pilots are subject to a high number of regulations and rules when it comes to operating aircraft, as they should be. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, pilots are strictly forbidden from operating an aircraft if any of the following are true:

• They have consumed alcohol within the past eight hours.

• They are currently under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• Their blood alcohol content is .04 percent or higher.

Pilots who are caught violating these regulations will likely be arrested and face an array of possible punishments, including the following:

• Jail time

• Probation

• Fines

• Revocation of his or her license

Even though the restrictions and penalties are severe, there are still pilots who choose to fly under the influence.

Airline Negligence

Airline companies have a duty to ensure the safe operation of flights every day. By nature, airplane accidents have the potential to cause extensive damage even when the mistake that causes an accident seems relatively small. Because of this, airlines absolutely must do everything in their power to make sure that each of their employees is properly trained in both standard and emergency procedures.

Should an airline fail to provide a safe method of travel for its customers, they should be held financially accountable for their negligence. With the help of an attorney with Wilson & McQueen PLLC, Lexington families of victims of airline negligence may be able to recover compensation for the resulting damages.

Airlines both large and small must do everything they can to protect their customers from harm. Airlines themselves can be held accountable for jeopardizing the safety of their customers when they perform any of the following:

• Negligent hiring

• Failure to train

While every individual case is unique, the bottom line is you should be able to trust that safety is a priority to your airline company. If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a situation where airline negligence may have caused an accident, you may be able to file a claim against the airline responsible with the help of a skilled attorney.

Airplane Defects/equipment Malfunction

With the increasing global reliance on airlines as a major method of travel, every individual who boards a plane should be able to enjoy the simplicity and ease of a smooth flight. Because of the strict regulations imposed on the airline industry, airplane passengers have every right to expect that their travel experience will be, above all else, safe.

Unfortunately, the manufacturers and individuals responsible for producing and maintaining airplanes do not always do everything they can to ensure that aircraft and their mechanical systems are functioning correctly. Our attorneys know that negligence at any level of the production or maintenance process can result in defects or malfunctions that may lead to catastrophic accidents, and we are committed to taking action against those responsible.

Airplanes are incredibly complex machines that rely on a number of vital systems in order to function properly. Some of the most commonly reported airplane malfunctions include:

• Communication system failure

• Navigation system failure

• Brake system failure

• Landing gear failure

• Engine failure

At any given moment during a flight, pilots are relying on several systems to provide essential information so that they can provide a safe trip for their passengers. If any defects prevent the plane from working properly, passengers who suffer injuries or trauma, as a result, may have grounds for pursuing financial compensation from the airline or manufacturing company responsible.

Air Traffic Controller Error

When air traffic controllers make mistakes, the safety of passengers is placed at serious risk. In fact, these mistakes can prove catastrophic as they can lead to aviation accidents. The party responsible for an air traffic control error can be held liable for the serious emotional and financial turmoil that the families of victims have to face.

Common air traffic control errors that can lead to accidents include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Failing to respond to a pilot

• Failing to properly clear runways for landings

• Failing to inform pilots of any delays

• Failing to warn pilots of potentially dangerous weather conditions

• Improperly clearing planes to take off in dangerous conditions

• Fatigued air traffic controllers

• Skill-based errors when interacting with multiple aircrafts

Air traffic controllers are held to high standards for an important reason – passengers’ lives are endangered when errors occur. Due to this, the Lexington air traffic control error attorneys at Wilson & McQueen PLLC are dedicated to helping the families of individuals involved in such accidents receive financial compensation from the responsible party.

Contact an Airplane Accident Attorney in Lexington

Taking legal action in the wake of an airplane accident may seem overwhelming, but at Wilson & McQueen PLLC, we will work closely with you through every stage of the legal process to help you fight for justice.

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of an airplane accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for the considerable pain and suffering you have been forced to endure. Contact the attorneys from Wilson & McQueen PLLC today to discuss the details of your case with a knowledgeable member of our experienced legal team and learn more about your rights and options under the law.