What does an aviation lawyer do?

The aviation attorneys on our team at Pendergrass Law offer representation to those who have been in a commercial plane, small plane, or corporate jet accident that was the result of negligence. We get to work immediately to prove that you deserve compensation.

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Common causes of aviation accidents

Human error tends to be the most common cause of aviation accidents. They often involve pilot error, but other crew members and even air traffic controllers can make mistakes that lead to crashes. If an air traffic controller gives a pilot wrong information, collisions can occur. Weather conditions sometimes play a role as well. It’s the pilot’s responsibility to understand the weather conditions along a flight route. If they don’t do this or are otherwise unprepared for the weather they encounter, they could be at fault. Aircraft maintenance issues can also lead to accidents. If the plane wasn’t checked correctly, the accident could be the fault of those in charge of maintenance. 

Why you need an aviation attorney in Clayton, GA, after an aviation accident

After living through such a traumatic event as a plane crash, you may hesitate to reach out to an aviation lawyer in Clayton, GA. You could be dealing with severe injuries that drain you of energy, and beginning a claim could feel next to impossible. However, contacting a lawyer is the best thing you can do to take care of yourself.  

Proving Fault

An experienced lawyer will know just what to do to prove which party was at fault in your accident. They will get started gathering the necessary evidence to get you the compensation you need to recover. Keep in mind that aviation accidents are different from other kinds of accidents. By their very nature, they’re more likely to lead to catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Aviation itself is also subject to complex federal and state laws. This means it can be almost impossible for a regular person to succeed in filing this type of claim on their own. Aviation lawsuits often involve Federal Aviation Regulations. These regulations govern plane maintenance, pilot training, and much more. You need a competent lawyer on your side to navigate these factors.

Insurance Complexities

The complexity of the various laws involved is not the only thing that makes this process tricky. Getting compensation can sometimes be difficult because of insurance problems, especially if the plane was privately owned. Private plane owners don’t have to purchase liability insurance. This means that many private planes are uninsured. Air taxi operators and interstate carriers could have insurance, but it may not be enough to cover the losses of a serious accident. For all of these reasons, you need to have an experienced aviation attorney who is ready to fight for your rights.

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What compensation can you claim after an aviation accident in Clayton, GA?

If you’ve been in an aviation accident, you can claim economic and non-economic damages that strive to compensate you for your losses. Here’s a closer look at each of these options.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are those that are quantifiable. These include all types of medical expenses, including hospital bills and physical therapy. If the injuries are severe enough to require ongoing care, you could also get future medical cost damages. Lost wages are another type of economic damage. Getting treatment for the injuries you suffered could mean missing work, and that means not getting the wages you otherwise would have made. You can be reimbursed for these losses. In instances when the injuries are so severe they don’t allow you to return to the same job you had or to work at all, you can receive compensation for the money you would have made in the future. 

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more subjective than economic ones. The most common of these is pain and suffering. Pain and suffering damages strive to compensate you for the emotional and physical distress you experienced because of the accident. The amount of compensation you receive for pain and suffering depends on the severity of the injuries and how they impact your life. Another type of non-economic damage is loss of enjoyment of life. If the accident doesn’t allow you to live your life as you used to, you can claim this. Those who have lost a loved one can also claim loss of companionship.

Getting help after an aviation accident

An aviation accident would leave anyone disoriented. You need the steady guidance of professionals who have successfully handled these types of claims. When you turn to Pendergrass Law, you can get representation from experienced aviation lawyers in Clayton, GA. We’re here to help you navigate the tough claims process, offering compassion as well as reliable legal guidance. We provide our services to both the Spanish- and English-speaking communities in the area. Contact our team at Pendergrass Law today to get the compassionate help you need.

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