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Two planes recently collided on the ground at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, and the incident is being investigated by the FAA. Reports from the FAA say that while backing out of Gate C30 the United Flight 645 clipped the wing of the United Airlines Flight 2746 that was parked at Gate C28. There was damage to both planes, but no injuries were reported.
Airplane Crashes and Personal Injuries
While there might not have been any injuries in the above accident, airplane crashes frequently lead to catastrophic injuries and death. Any commercial aircraft, as well as all private aircraft, are considered to be civilians. Only planes, helicopters, and other aircraft that serve the military aren’t classified as a civilian. Some 1,500 civilian aircraft accidents are reported every year, but most of those go unnoticed due to a lack of news coverage.
There are many things that can result in an airplane or other aircraft crash. They include, but are not limited to, the following:
Pilot Error – Pilots are humans just like the rest of us, and on occasion they make mistakes. Regardless of the intent, they could be responsible for any injuries or deaths resulting from their error.
Faulty Equipment – When aircraft equipment fails to work properly, the consequences can be disastrous. It can result in severe injuries and even fatalities. The manufacturers of this faulty equipment can be held liable if their equipment malfunctions and causes an accident. It is, however, still the responsibility of the ground crew and pilot to make sure that all equipment has been inspected before take-off.
FAA Violations – The FAA oversees all operations of civilian aircraft and has strict regulations for pilots to follow before and during flight. Anyone who fails to follow these regulations could be held liable, especially if their neglect results in an accident.
Aircraft Design Defects – If the design or structure of an aircraft is found to have caused or contributed to an accident, the manufacturer or designer of the aircraft may be held liable for any deaths or injuries that occur due to the failure.
Flight Service Station Negligence – Service station flight attendants can be found liable if their actions or inactions result in an accident or crash. Any problems that they encounter are to be reported, and an aircraft should never be allowed to take off before the issues are addressed.
Federal Air Traffic Controller Negligence – These workers are the eyes of pilots in the sky. Every single pilot relies on air traffic controllers to guide them on safe paths and warn them of any hazards they need to avoid. If an air traffic controller fails to notify an aircraft pilot of any impending danger or guides them into taking an action that results in an accident, the air traffic controller may be found negligent for any resulting injuries or deaths.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Determining the cause of an aircraft accident is only half the battle. An experienced Chicago personal injury attorney can review your situation and determine what legal options are available to you if you or your loved one has been injured in an aircraft accident. The attorneys at Harvey L. Walner & Associates, Ltd. have decades of experience handling a variety of personal injury cases. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and begin the process of getting the financial compensation that you deserve.
