Harvard University researched the chances of being involved in an aircraft accident vs. a car crash. The results revealed that 1 in 1.2 million people would be caught up in an aviation accident.
Whereas, 1 in 11 million are likely to be involved in a road traffic collision. Despite being the safer mode of transport, accidents do happen, and they can leave you struggling with a completely different way of life, with loss of earnings being detrimental to your life.
If you’ve suffered an aviation accident, follow the steps below and claim rightful compensation.
Medical Treatment
Before becoming Sherlock Holmes and beginning to investigate an aviation accident, you need to receive medical treatment, even if you feel fine. Every assessment and action taken needs to be recorded because it will be used as evidence later.
Investigating The Claim
You will likely be in shock and receiving treatment for injuries, but you must collect as much information about the accident as possible. If you’re incapacitated, have a trusted family member or friend dig around on your behalf. Information you need includes:
- Weather conditions.
- Actions are taken by the cabin crew and pilot.
- Lists of passengers and witnesses.
During your investigation, you will need to collect any supporting evidence to back up your claims, which involves:
- Relevant pictures of the plane and runway.
- Communication between the airline and insurance provider.
- Photos of injuries and evidence of medical treatment.
- Black box recordings.
- Testimonials from qualified experts (traffic controllers and pilots).
Aviation accident lawsuits are complex because they involve state and federal law.
Therefore, you should have a high-quality aviation accident lawyer to help you throughout this entire process. Alongside information provided by yourself, they will contact witnesses and navigate the complex waters to secure you the best compensation possible.
Determine Liability
There are many different parties involved in the airline industry, and it’s important to determine who is to be held accountable.
Your lawyer will make this decision and advise you of the best next steps. In some cases, the manufacturer or federal government can be blamed for accidents resulting from negligence.
Damage Calculations
The impact of an aviation accident stretches further than immediate medical costs and loss of earnings, with many people being unable to return to work or forced to take alternative jobs in the future.
Your lawyer will consider all aspects of the case and formulate a reasonable amount of compensation.
Secure Compensation
Once you know how much compensation to fight for, it’s time to secure the best figure.
Naturally, the responsible parties will attempt to negate responsibility and avoid making hefty payouts. Your legal representation will safeguard your right to compensation at every step of the way.
Only by proving responsibility can the industry be made safer for future passengers.
Conclusion
Aviation accidents are a scary business, and claiming compensation is often complicated. Hiring a qualified lawyer and collecting all of the evidence outlined above will give you the best chance of securing the full amount of compensation owed.