New York Ground Aviation Accidents

It might seem strange but different laws apply to injuries and incidents that occur on airlines and airports regardless of whether the aircraft is flying or not. There are many complicated layers of insurance problems as well as federal, state and even international laws that are affected when an incident takes place with an aircraft, even on the ground. If you or a loved one has been involved in an aviation accident in New York, contact Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro for a free consultation.

Aviation incidents on the ground are caused by a number of mechanical problems that need to be carefully investigated by an experienced and independent party. These incidents can take place onboard aircraft while taking off, landing, en route to the gate, boarding, disembarking, or even outside the aircraft itself. In a notorious incident in 2005 a flight landing at Midway airport in Chicago skidded off the runway and hit a car, killing a young child. Because the incident involved an aircraft there were many different aviation related laws that covered it.

The types of injuries that can be sustained while on the ground are numerous. Passengers have been injured because of shifts in the plane’s weight after the seatbelt sign was turned off at the gate. People have been injured in altercations involving other passengers while onboard the aircraft. Other injuries can come from mechanical problems in the areas of the plane, debris or trash that was not cleaned up, airport incidents and others.

Determining the exact causes of the injury is what our New York aviation lawyers are experienced at doing. Our investigative team will piece together every element that led up to the incident to make sure that the guilty party is held responsible for the incident. Whether this entails doing a history of an aircraft, its maintenance schedule, interviewing other passengers and airline staff, taking photographs or any other technique our staff of experts can handle it.

An independent investigation is important because most injury cases are handled by airline insurance companies. These companies are in the business of saving money and usually lead their investigations accordingly. Often, they will not even speak to injured parties if the victims do not have their own attorney. In other cases they will offer a much lower amount of damages than they legally are entitled to pay. It is unfortunate but true that these companies tend to be so unscrupulous that it warrants the victim needing an attorney.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an aviation accident in New York contact our office for a free consultation. Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro have years of experience handling personal injury cases involving aircraft and airports and their insurance companies. Our office has the professionalism and aggressive history of success that makes us a leader in New York aviation cases. Please call or contact us through this website for a free legal consultation to learn more about your rights.