Were you or a family member injured in an aviation accident in Lancaster, PA? Airplane accidents always have the potential to be devastating. If the accident was someone else’s fault, an experienced Lancaster aviation accident lawyer can help. Our team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates has the experience to help you recover full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Our award-winning lawyers’ collective experience in personal injury law spans over 120 years. To date, we’ve won tens of millions of dollars on behalf of injury victims and their families.
We’re ready to use our skills to make a difference in your case. Call our law firm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at (717) 616-2954 to schedule your free consultation today.
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How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help With Your Aviation Accident Case in Lancaster, PA
Flying is still one of the safest ways to travel. That statistic doesn’t matter much if you’ve been injured in an airplane accident. If you’re involved in a plane accident, you’ll need an experienced Lancaster personal injury lawyer.
Airplane accident cases can be incredibly complex. Testimony from experts with specialized and technical training may be required to prove your case. The other side will fight back with everything they have to avoid taking the blame.
Marzzacco Niven & Associates is an award-winning law firm. We’ve been recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers of America, and The National Trial Lawyers.
Hire us, and you’ll have a team to:
- Handle all communications with the NTSB, FAA, and other government agencies
- Assess the value of your personal injury case
- Hire experts in aviation safety, forensic analysis, and other specialties to testify on your behalf
- Analyze all evidence, including pilot qualifications, black box recordings, electronic data, and plane maintenance records
- Interpret aviation safety regulations to determine whether a violation occurred
- Negotiate with the insurance companies and defense teams for a full settlement
- Fight to recover a top-dollar verdict at trial if necessary
Ready to learn more? Call our Lancaster personal injury attorneys today for a free case review.
How Common Are Aviation Accidents in Pennsylvania?
Most people think that aviation accidents are extremely rare. In reality, they’re fairly common. However, because most plane accidents don’t involve commercial airlines, they don’t always receive significant attention.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently published its report on commercial airline fatalities for 2023. Out of 37 million commercial flights, one single accident involving a commercial turbo-prop aircraft caused 72 fatalities.
That doesn’t mean plane crashes are rare. Most involve general aviation aircraft, not commercial passenger planes. As of 2022, 204,590 general aviation aircraft were registered in the U.S.; 6,870 “for hire” aircraft are registered.
Those planes include:
- Private planes
- Helicopters
- Single-prop jets
- Corporate jets
- Turbojets
- Air taxis
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), 1,156 general aviation accidents were reported across the U.S. in 2021. 210 of those crashes were fatal. In Pennsylvania alone, 28 plane accidents occurred in 2021. Four were fatal.
What Are Some Common Causes of Aviation Accidents in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
Most aviation accidents occur during takeoff or landing. They can happen for all different reasons.
Some common causes of airplane accidents include:
- Pilot errors, including ignoring weather warnings
- Communication failures
- Air traffic control errors
- Mechanical failures or engine failure
- Electrical failures
- Failure to properly interpret flight instructions
- Drug or alcohol use
- Inexperienced pilots
- Design defects with the plane or defective safety equipment
- Problems with the plane’s fuel system
- Violation of state and federal FAA aviation regulations
- Failure to properly inspect and maintain the plane
Our lawyers can also help if you were injured because of something that had little to do with the plane’s operations.
Passengers can also suffer injuries because of:
- Slip and fall accidents on the plane, tarmac, or jetway
- Falling luggage and failure to properly secure and stow objects
- Violent passengers
If you were injured in a plane accident, contact our Lancaster aviation accident attorneys right away. The government’s investigation may already be underway. The plane’s owner may also be investigating to find out what happened. You deserve a lawyer to advocate for your best interests throughout the entire process.
What is My Lancaster Airplane Accident Case Worth?
Plane accident injuries can be catastrophic. Regardless of the nature of your injuries, it’s critical that your compensation award cover all of your losses–past and future.
When our lawyers are assessing your case value, we’ll carefully review all relevant details, including:
- The nature of your injuries
- Your expected recovery period and whether you will suffer a long-term disability
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
- The cost of anticipated ongoing medical care and rehabilitation
- Your need for in-home assistance or long-term nursing care
- How the injury has impacted your earnings during recovery
- The long-term impact on your future earnings and career opportunities
- How your quality of life and lifestyle have changed due to the injury
- Physical pain and mental trauma
Before accepting an insurance offer, contact an experienced Lancaster airplane accident attorney. Our lawyers offer free case reviews and can provide more details about your case value once we understand the unique facts of your case.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Aviation Accident Victims in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
Your compensation award should cover your economic damages and non-economic damages.
These compensatory damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Nursing care
- In-home assistance
- Physical therapy and specialized treatments
- Long-term care
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Property damage
- Funeral expenses in fatal accident cases
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Depression
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Depending on the nature of the defendant’s acts, punitive damages may be available. If we can identify clear evidence that the defendant’s actions were intentional or demonstrated a shocking disregard for your safety, we’ll pursue punitive damages as punishment.
Who Could Be Responsible for Paying My Damages in an Airplane Accident Claim?
Identifying the at-fault party in an airplane accident case can be complex. The responsible parties will depend on the cause of the accident.
Potentially liable parties include:
- Pilots
- The owner of the plane
- Inspection and maintenance companies
- Government agencies
- Air traffic control
- Manufacturers of defective equipment
- Airports
- Administrators
- Employers of negligent parties
Our Lancaster airplane accident lawyers will conduct a full investigation. Multiple parties could ultimately be responsible for your damages.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Pennsylvania?
Our lawyers represent clients on a contingency fee basis. Like most law firms, your fees depend entirely on the amount of compensation we recover in your case. There are never any upfront retainers or hourly fees to worry about.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for an Airplane Accident in Pennsylvania?
Under Pennsylvania comparative negligence laws, your damages are reduced if you share some blame for an accident. If you’re found to be mostly responsible (at least 51%), you lose your right to damages.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Aviation Accident Injuries
Our team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates is prepared to fight for full compensation for any injuries you suffered due to the accident, including:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
It’s never too early to start evaluating your legal rights after an accident. After you seek medical attention, call our lawyers to learn more about your options.
How Do I Prove Liability After an Airplane Accident in Pennsylvania?
Negligence is the most common legal basis for establishing liability after an accident.
Negligence requires proof of:
- The defendant’s duty of care
- A breach of duty
- Causation
- The damages you suffered
Strict liability theories may apply if your accident occurred because of a defective plane or defective equipment. Locating evidence after a plane crash can be more difficult than in car accident cases.
That evidence might include:
- Physical evidence from the plane
- Inspection and maintenance reports
- Testimony from experts
- Black box data, communication records, and recordings
- Evidence about the pilot’s qualifications
- Drug and alcohol test results
- Video footage
We have the tools to launch a full investigation while you’re recovering.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Aviation Accident in Pennsylvania?
Under Pennsylvania law, the statute of limitations generally gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If state law governs your case, you lose your right to damages after two years from the date of the accident have passed.
That said, federal law could govern your case, so the deadline could be different. It’s always best to start communicating with an experienced attorney soon after the accident so that you won’t have to worry about missing a technical deadline.
Contact a Lancaster Airplane Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Do you have questions about your options after a plane crash in Lancaster, PA? Call a Lancaster aviation accident lawyer today. Our team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates is always available to discuss your case and answer your questions.