Hot air balloon rides are a very popular activity. Although accidents are not common, they can happen. You may be eligible for compensation if you or your loved one were injured in a hot-air balloon accident. To learn more about your legal options, speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas.
What Hot Air Balloon Accidents Are There
Hot air balloon accidents can cause severe injuries, and even death. Because they are easily affected by the weather, hot air balloon accidents can quickly turn deadly. Accidents are most often caused by:
Bad weather
Hot air balloons are most vulnerable to inclement weather, though it can often be avoided. They are also at the mercy the wind as they have no steering wheels. An accident can happen quickly if the weather changes suddenly and the wind picks-up, or if there is a storm or lightning. High-visibility conditions can cause hot air balloons to become uncontrollable.
Pilot Error
Operators of hot air balloons are human beings, and mistakes can easily happen. A pilot’s negligence can lead to a serious accident.
- You fail to verify weather reports
- Failing to provide preflight safety briefings
- Inspect equipment too often
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Refusal to maintain distance from hot air balloons or obstacles
- Mistakes in landing or launching
- Inexperience or lack thereof
Collisions
Pointy objects, structures or obstacles are also common hazards. These include trees, buildings, powerlines, weather vanes and other hot air balloons. Surprisingly most of these accidents do not result from a puncture, but because the basket is caught. These types of accidents can lead to wrongful deaths. Power lines are very dangerous.
Defective Parts
It can be very dangerous if a piece or equipment in a hot-air balloon fails .
Who is responsible for a Hot Air Balloon Incident?
Damages will be paid to the party responsible for the accident. Hot air balloons are aircrafts and therefore the National Transportation Safety Board, (NTSB), and the Federal Aviation Administration will likely be involved in an accident. To determine who and what caused the accident, an investigation will be done. Hot air balloon accidents are often caused by negligence of the pilot, hot-air balloon owner and operating company. Sometimes, more than one party is found to be at fault.
There are many types of damages that can be done after a hot air balloon accident
Hot air balloon accident victims can seek damages. This is compensation for their injuries and any other losses. This could include:
Economic Damages
You may be eligible for compensation to pay future and current medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. You may be eligible for diminished earning potential if your injuries permanently disable you and make it impossible to earn the same income level as before.
Non-Economic Losses
Compensation for subjective losses such as pain, suffering, emotional distress and loss of companionship.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party if they were extremely careless or intentionally act in a manner that deters others from repeating the same behavior.
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