Santa Fe Aviation Accident Lawyer

Santa Fe Aviation Accident Attorney

While airplanes are normally quite safe, there is always the risk of danger and catastrophic injury while on a flight. If you or someone you know was involved in an incident, you need to speak with a Santa Fe aviation accident attorney to get the compensation you need.

The airline or the at-fault party may be liable to pay victims after an injury resulting from negligence. While pilots and other flight staff have plenty of training, negligence can lead to an accident, injuries, and death.

Does Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez + Harwood, LLC, Handle Aviation Accident Litigation?

At Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez + Harwood, LLC, we offer the extensive experience and knowledge of a large firm with the personalized touch expected of a smaller firm. After an accident, you can contact us online to schedule a consultation and discuss your aviation accident.

We have a team of several lawyers, each with significant experience. We can match you with the appropriate attorney who can handle your case and pursue the monetary help you deserve.

When Do Most Aviation Accidents Occur?

While aviation accidents often bring to mind flames and explosions, this is not always the case.  Minor aviation accidents are common as well. While severe accidents could result in death, minor accidents can still lead to injuries and the opportunity for victims to file a claim.

To file a claim after an accident, you’ll need to prove that someone with a duty of care toward you exhibited negligence, which led to your injuries. You might first think of a pilot, but it could have been someone on the ground, a flight attendant, or the company itself. Regardless of which party is at fault, they should pay for your injuries.

Some of the most common ways injuries occur on a flight include:

• Takeoff and landing: An improper touchdown or takeoff can lead to injuries for passengers. These are the most common forms of airplane accidents, as they are the aspects of the procedure when the most can go wrong. A bumpy landing may lead to whiplash or overhead luggage striking a passenger, and an irregular takeoff could jostle passengers and break bones.
• Taxiing: When an airplane goes from the parked position to the runway, this is the taxi period of takeoff. If the pilot makes a wrong turn or misses the path to the runway, it can lead to injuries.
• Mechanical issues: All planes should have an inspection before they take off. If the mechanics miss an issue, it could lead to a minor or catastrophic failure of one of the plane’s critical systems.
• Fuel mismanagement: Planes should always have enough fuel to get from one point to another. Unfortunately, there are sometimes issues with fuel mismanagement, including not putting enough fuel in the tank or using the wrong tank for the flight. Any lack of fuel can cause an emergency landing and potential injuries or death.
• Weather: Flight control should know when it is safe for a flight to take off and when they need to ground a plane until conditions improve. If the tower authorizes a launch when the weather is dangerous, it could lead to injuries.

What Are the Most Common Types of Injuries and Consequences After a Santa Fe Aviation Accident?

Any time there is an aviation accident, there is a high probability of it resulting in injuries to the passengers. The consequences of airplane accidents are often more severe than other accidents, like car crashes or slip and falls. Some of the most common injuries after an accident include:

• Death: It’s an unfortunate reality that many plane crashes lead to death. The high speed at which planes travel and the jet fuel they carry can lead to catastrophic crashes and several deaths. If someone close to you dies in a plane crash due to negligence, you can file a wrongful death claim against the airline or the at-fault party.
• Traumatic brain injuries: A plane accident can launch your body through the air, and this can cause several injuries. Your head could crash against the window, overhead compartment, or another passenger. Even minor force to your head can lead to a concussion, and you should always have a doctor examine any head injuries as soon as possible.
• Broken bones: Even in a low-speed crash, you might fly out of your seat and strike something hard enough to break your bones. You may land awkwardly and realize you have a broken arm or rib. While these injuries are not always life-threatening, they can impact your quality of life for a period and leave you out of work while you recover.
• Burns: Some airplane accidents result in minor flames, and the fire can lead to burns. While minor burns will likely heal on their own, higher-degree burns can cause severe pain and the need for skin grafts to repair damage.

What Should I Do After an Aviation Accident?

If you were involved in an aviation accident such as a crash, you need to remain calm while you navigate the immediate aftermath. If you’re severely injured, you’ll have to wait for emergency services to arrive. However, if you’re physically able, there are certain steps you should take.

You should first attempt to get yourself and anyone else away from the plane as quickly as you can. There is always a risk of fire after a crash, so you’ll want to move away from the crash site to keep yourself and others safe.

Once everyone is some distance away from the plane, you or someone you know should contact emergency services. You’ll likely need to contact an ambulance and the police and summon them to the scene.

Once you take care of any immediate medical needs, you should work to note the details of the incident. Take pictures and videos of the incident, and speak with other passengers about their experiences. You can use photos and videos to demonstrate the circumstances of the accident in court, and fellow passengers could act as witnesses.

You’ll want to remember all the details of the accident and what led to it. Consider what the crew did at the time of the incident and if there were any obvious signs of negligence on display. Try to account for the actions of the crew and the weather conditions present before the incident.

Once you’ve taken care of the initial process, you’ll want to speak with a doctor and get a full examination to find any potential injuries. Medical documentation can help prove your injuries later on. You’ll also want to contact an attorney who can represent you and assist you with the process of finding evidence, identifying the at-fault party, and filing a claim.

Is There a Statute of Limitations for an Aviation Accident Claim in New Mexico?

As is the case with most personal injury litigation, you will have three years to file a claim after an accident. If you fail to file a claim before the statute of limitations expires, you will lose your chance to seek compensation to help deal with injuries or pain and suffering.

What Type of Compensation Can I Get From a Santa Fe Aviation Accident?

After an accident, you’ll be able to file a claim to seek damages from anyone who was negligent. New Mexico law allows you to seek compensation for any medical bills you incurred as a result of the accident. This can cover immediate expenses for checkups, diagnoses, and treatment, as well as long-term issues, like continued care for a traumatic brain injury.

Other compensation can come in the form of supplemental wages and compensation for pain and suffering. If an aviation accident leaves you unable to work, the guilty party should have to pay a portion of your wages until you can work again. If you suffered mental anguish from the incident, this is also covered in the compensation payment.

Should I Hire a Lawyer When Filing a Personal Injury Claim?

If you want to get the most out of your settlement and give yourself better odds of taking home the money you need, you should hire an attorney. Your attorney can help you determine when a settlement is worth taking or when you should fight in court to get proper compensation.

Your attorney will also be able to handle the negotiations and discussions with the insurance company. These agents have training to help them avoid paying the maximum amount, but an experienced attorney can help you get what the company or at-fault party owes you.

Reach Out to Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez + Harwood, LLC

Aviation accidents are dangerous and claim many lives each year. If you were involved in an aviation accident, you need legal guidance to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. These cases are often complex and require the knowledgeable hand of an attorney.

At Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez + Harwood, LLC, we are committed to helping those in Santa Fe with their personal injury issues. Contact us today to hear about how we assist clients and get them the restitution they deserve.