A Small Plane Crashes into a New Braunfels Home
Four individuals in their New Braunfels home were surprised when an ultra-light aircraft crashed into their roof. The pilot of the plane was trying to land in a nearby field after losing power when he hit an electrical line. The crash led to a small fuel leak that the New Braunfels Fire Department quickly contained and a power outage that was swiftly restored. While none of the five individuals involved were injured, plane crashes lead to serious injuries and deaths every year. Those injured in plane accidents, whether a passenger in a large commercial plane or in a small personal craft, need to work with experienced personal injury lawyers to determine how to recover compensation for their injuries.
Airplane Accidents in the U.S.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, 1,290 civil aviation accidents occurred in 2014, causing 444 fatalities and hundreds of additional injuries. The general aviation category, which likely covers the ultra-light aircraft involved in the recent New Braunfels crash, witnessed the most accidents and fatalities in 2014, at 1,223 accidents involving 424 deaths. Of general aviation accidents that year, more than 80 occurred within Texas. There were also two non-scheduled commuter/on-demand carrier accidents and four scheduled air carrier accidents in Texas in 2014.
Determining Fault in an Airplane Accident
Individuals injured due to an airplane accident need the help of a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. One of the struggles in recovering from a plane accident is determining who is at fault for the crash. Random accidents are possible, but it is also likely that the incident occurred due to someone’s negligence. An attorney can help people hurt in plane crashes determine who is responsible and how they may be able to recover compensation. Potentially liable individuals and businesses include the:
- Pilot;
- Air traffic controller;
- Dispatcher;
- Loader;
- Maintenance provider; and
- Airline.
Filing a Personal Injury Suit
In most accidents, the best case scenario is that individuals file third-party claims with the responsible party’s insurance and receive significant settlements to compensate them for their property damage and personal injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can help file these insurance claims and appeal any denials. Once the claims are approved, a skilled lawyer can also negotiate for higher amounts.
However, an insurance settlement is not always possible or it is not nearly enough to cover an injured person’s actual costs and suffering. In this situation, an attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party on that individual’s behalf. During this type of claim, an attorney will use a variety of evidence to support the claim that the other party was negligent and that this negligence led to the individual’s injuries. Through a personal injury lawsuit, victims of airplane crashes can seek to recover:
- Current and future medical expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Pain and suffering;
- Disability; and
- Disfigurement.
Contact a New Braunfels Personal Injury Attorney Today
Airplane crashes may be rare, but when they occur, they can lead to devastating consequences. If you or a loved one was injured in an aviation accident, do not hesitate to seek legal advice. An experienced New Braunfels personal injury attorney at the Bettersworth Law Firm can help you seek to recover compensation for your injuries.
Sources:
http://www.ksat.com/news/ultra-light-aircraft-crashes-into-new-braunfels-home
http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/data/Pages/AviationDataStats2014.aspx
