Aviation accidents can be catastrophic. They can have long-term effects or be permanent. Broken bones, brain injury, emotional trauma and burns are all common injuries in aviation accidents. Aviation accidents can also result in wrongful deaths.
The cause of these accidents can be engine failure, FAA violations or system malfunctions, weather, pilot error or lack maintenance. It is important to know what you should do following an aviation accident in order to ensure that you receive full compensation and recovery. This article discusses five steps you should take after an aircraft accident.
#1: Seek immediate medical attention
It is important to seek immediate medical attention after an aviation accident, regardless of the severity. If you are not feeling well or your injuries appear minor, you should still consult a doctor to ensure that you do not have internal injuries. This prevents minor injuries from becoming serious health problems that are expensive to treat, take a long time to recover from, and can be difficult.
The immediate medical attention will ensure a proper diagnosis and a quick recovery. It is harmful to your health as well as your personal injury claim if you do not seek medical attention immediately. Your medical records will be crucial to your personal injury claim if you intend to file one.
# 2 – Find out who is responsible for the accident
Some aviation accidents are not the fault of anyone, but most involve some degree of human error. You, as the victim, can receive compensation for injuries and losses if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. You must identify the person responsible for the accident before you can hold them accountable. In an aviation accident, the cause and type determine who is responsible.
You can find the guilty parties amongst pilots, air traffic controllers, plane owners, aircraft manufacturers or commercial airlines. In order to prove negligence in an aviation accident case, you will need to show that the negligent party contributed to the accident.
# 3 – Bring a lawsuit for an aviation accident
You have the right to sue for compensation if you or a loved one was injured in an aviation accident which could have been avoided. You are entitled to compensation for your lost wages, support or medical costs, pain and discomfort, wrongful deaths, disfigurement and funeral expenses. Make sure you follow the statute of limitations in your state for aviation lawsuits.
#4 – Collect evidence
In an aviation accident, it is your burden to prove the defendant’s liability. The plaintiff must provide sufficient evidence in order to convince the court that the defendant is responsible for the accident. Your medical records, photographs of the plane or runway, and communications from your airline or its insurance company, as well as pictures of your injuries, should be included in the evidence. You can either use other victims as witnesses or black box recordings to support your case.
Hire an Aviation Accident Attorney
An experienced aviation accident lawyer can handle your case successfully to ensure you receive maximum compensation. Their experience allows them to thoroughly investigate the accident, gather evidence, determine fault, calculate damages and ensure justice. A lawyer for aviation accidents will handle your case, answer all of your aviation accident questions, and provide you with the best advice.
Endnote
The compensation you receive depends on what you do following an aviation accident. You can maximize your compensation by following these steps immediately after an aviation accident.