In Atlanta, aviation accidents include small private plane crashes, emergency landings of commercial airplanes, and accidents at the airport. If you or a family member has been injured in an accident, you do not have to suffer financially. An aviation accident lawyer in Atlanta can help.
John Foy & Associates has an experienced team of Atlanta personal injury lawyers ready to assist if you or a loved one is injured or killed in an airplane accident.
We have been helping victims recover money for their injuries for more than 20 years. So far, we have recovered over $1 billion for our clients, and we continue to win big cases. Call today for a free consultation.
Atlanta Aviation Accident Attorneys Who Deliver Results
Since opening our law firm in 2003, John Foy has built a reputation for standing up for injured people across Georgia; he is known throughout Georgia as The Strong Arm™. Over the years, we’ve helped clients in serious and complicated cases, and that experience extends to aviation incidents.
Our team has long-standing connections in Atlanta and throughout the state, which helps us move quickly and effectively when an aviation incident occurs. We understand how federal and state laws apply to these cases and know the roles that airlines, maintenance crews, manufacturers, and air traffic control may play.
Airplane crashes involve detailed investigations, multiple parties, and layers of regulation. We know how to sort through the evidence, work with experts, and protect the rights of people who were injured or lost loved ones.
Our focus is on holding the responsible parties accountable and pursuing the financial recovery you need to move forward. We also don’t charge any up-front fees, and only get paid once we settle your case.
Get the strong arm
What Is an Aviation Accident in Atlanta?
Most people think of commercial airline disasters and tragic private plane crashes when they think of aviation accidents. But an aviation accident can encompass anything that happens during a flight or at the airport.
An aviation accident might include:
- Commercial aviation accidents: These accidents involve commercial airlines and can lead to a catastrophic loss of life.
- General aviation accidents: Unlike commercial airline disasters, general aviation accidents may involve smaller operators and fewer safety resources, which can make investigations more complex.
- Airport accidents: These types of incidents may occur during boarding, disembarking, or when passengers are in the terminal. These can include such things as falls, collisions, and equipment malfunctions.
- Helicopter crashes: These may involve corporate, private, or medical helicopters.
- In–flight accidents: Passengers can get injured while they are on board, including head injuries involving overhead bins. Our Atlanta traumatic brain injury lawyers understand the full extent of these types of injuries and will help you recover.
We understand the complexities of aviation law, and we will help you get a full recovery for your loss. Let us sit down with you for a free consultation to discuss your case and explain the law.
Common Causes of Aviation Accidents
Airplane accidents occur for many reasons, and the exact cause will depend on the circumstances of each case.
Some of the most common causes are:
- Pilot error
- Improper maintenance
- Defects in the design and manufacture of the aircraft and its components; product liability
- Air traffic controller error
- Ground crew mistakes
- Inclement weather
As aviation accident attorneys in Atlanta, determining the cause of the incident is one of our most important tasks. Knowing the cause gives you a sense of closure, but it also determines who is legally responsible for the costs of the crash.
Aviation accidents are harder to investigate than other accidents. Investigators look at flight logs, maintenance records, FAA records, aircraft designs, and weather records. They also get statements from crew, witnesses, and experts.
Depending on the case, the accident may be the fault of the pilot, the aircraft’s owner, other personnel, or the manufacturer of the plane or its parts. Because of the complexity, it is best to contact a plane accident lawyer in Atlanta as soon as possible after the accident.
Are Aviation Crashes Different Than Other Accidents?
Airplane accidents are different in two ways. Aviation accidents often cause deaths and serious injuries because of their nature. Aviation follows many state and federal laws. This makes aviation claims more specialized than most other personal injury claims.
Aviation lawsuits can involve state and federal law, treaties, and the Federal Aviation Regulations. These can govern everything from pilot training to maintenance to air traffic. Some details of these laws make it harder to get money for aviation accidents. That is why having an experienced Atlanta aviation attorney is very important.
Private plane owners do not have to buy liability insurance under federal law. This means many private planes are uninsured. Interstate carriers and air taxi operators may be required to have insurance, but this can fall far short of paying the cost of a serious crash where lives are lost.
If insurance is not enough, we may need to look deeper into who is responsible. We also search for other insurance policies that might cover the accident.
What Costs Can an Aviation Accident Claim Pay?
In the City of Atlanta and elsewhere in Georgia, injured victims are entitled to recover all of the costs related to their accident. If a victim died in the accident, their spouse or children can recover their losses.
The local courts typically award these types of damages in aviation cases:
- Expenses for hospital stays, doctor visits, and medical procedures
- Costs for prescription medications
- Fees for physical therapy or other rehabilitation services
- Mental health care, including counseling or treatment for trauma related to the accident
- Wages lost due to time away from work
If you are hurt in an accident, compensation can cover your medical bills and help you maintain your daily life while you focus on getting better. Our catastrophic injury lawyers in Atlanta will calculate the full financial impact of your injuries.
If a loved one died in the accident, no amount of money can make up for their loss. Compensation can help provide financial support while you cope with the aftermath. Our Atlanta wrongful death lawyers offer compassionate legal support.
The law allows you to recover the full value of their life, including lost income and benefits, medical and funeral expenses, as well as intangible losses such as the pain, suffering, and loss of companionship you have endured.
How Long Do You Have to File an Aviation Accident Claim in Georgia?
Georgia has strict deadlines for filing aviation accident claims. In most cases, you have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations and is outlined under Ga. Code § 9-3-33.
If you miss this window, you may lose your chance to recover full compensation, even if your injuries are severe or the other party was clearly at fault.
Some situations may have different timelines, including:
- Claims involving government-owned aircraft or airports
- Cases with minors or incapacitated victims
- Accidents involving international flights or federal law
Because aviation cases often involve federal agencies, insurance companies, and multiple parties, it is necessary to start the legal process immediately. An aviation accident lawyer can make sure your claim is filed on time and that key evidence is preserved before it’s lost or destroyed.
Talk to an Atlanta Aviation Accident Lawyer for Free
A fatal crash of a commercial jetliner, a small private plane, or a helicopter is devastating for families. They struggle to understand what happened and why. Even when aviation accident victims have minor injuries, they may need ongoing treatment and therapy. They may also suffer psychological trauma.
Aviation crashes are tragic, and you should not have to bear the financial cost of someone else’s negligence. If you were injured in a helicopter crash or any type of aviation incident, you have a right to recover money for your injuries.
The same is true if you have lost a family member in an aviation accident. At John Foy & Associates, our experienced plane accident attorneys will handle your case professionally and compassionately.
We start by giving you a free consultation to explain your legal options. Call us to get your FREE consultation today.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form