At the Law Office of Stephen H. Osborne, your case is not just another case. Reno aviation accident lawyer Stephen Osborne takes a personal, client-centered approach to litigation, understanding the way your injuries, and the outcome of your case, will impact your life. Our personal injury law firm accepts cases on a contingency fee basis. We do not get paid legal fees unless we win your case and you receive compensation.

What Causes Aviation Accidents?

Aviation accidents can be caused by mechanics failing to properly check and service the airplane prior to lift-off, manufacturing defects, poor flight or landing conditions, ATC clearance errors, and pilot error. Since determining the cause of the airplane accident can be a lengthy and complicated process, Reno aviation accident attorney Stephen Osborne may employ the services of aviation experts when evaluating your case.

Pilot Errors

Pilot error can result if the airline does not follow proper protocols to ensure the health, safety, and fitness of the pilots prior to a flight. If the pilot is not transparent about whether he or she is in the right condition to fly the craft, it can lead to critical errors with fatal consequences.

ATC Clearance Errors

Air Traffic Control (ATC) workers are responsible for communicating with pilots about whether it is safe to take off or land the plane. ATC clearance errors can be deadly to those in an aircraft and to those in proximity of the craft, such as workers on the landing strip or people in the airport.

Mechanical or Equipment Malfunctions

Mechanical or equipment malfunctions are failures of airplane parts. If a part breaks down and workers are not deviating from standard operating procedures for the craft or equipment, the manufacturer may be liable under the theory of strict liability or products liability if the malfunction causes injuries.

Mid-Air Collisions

Midair collisions typically occur when a returning plane is landing, usually due to confusion over the location of other planes in the landing order, according to the Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association (AOPA). Midair collisions are more likely to occur at non-towered airport locations.

Adverse Weather Conditions

Adverse weather conditions can interrupt communication between the craft and air traffic control, cause dangerous flying conditions, and cause an aviation accident during landing. A plane crash lawyer can help you determine if airline workers contributed to or failed to prevent the accident by not taking precautions in adverse weather conditions.

Contacting an experienced aviation accident attorney at the Law Office of Stephen H. Osborne today can put you on the right course to recovery.

Recoverable Damages After an Airplane Crash

Airplane accidents can cause serious or fatal injuries. You may be entitled to recover damages from the airline or other responsible parties. When you pursue a case after you were involved in an airplane accident, Reno aviation accident attorney Stephen Osborne can help determine the damages that may be available in your case.

Economic Damages

Economic damages serve to compensate you and your loved ones for the financial impact of injuries and death caused by an airplane crash. Economic damages may include current lost wages, medical bills, related out-of-pocket costs, and compensation for future lost wages and medical care expenses. Stephen Osborne will review your medical bills and statements, wage statements, and other documentation to determine the economic damages you are entitled to receive.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages serve to compensate you for the non-monetary losses you’ve endured because of the airplane crash. Non-economic damages include loss of companionship (in a wrongful death suit, for example), physical and emotional pain and suffering, loss of parental training and guidance, and other losses. These damages are more difficult to quantify. Your aviation accident lawyer will likely use your economic damages as a basis for calculating their value.

Mechanical or Equipment Malfunctions

Mechanical or equipment malfunctions are failures of airplane parts. If a part breaks down and workers are not deviating from standard operating procedures for the craft or equipment, the manufacturer may be liable under the theory of strict liability or products liability if the malfunction causes injuries.

Mid-Air Collisions

Midair collisions typically occur when a returning plane is landing, usually due to confusion over the location of other planes in the landing order, according to the Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association (AOPA). Midair collisions are more likely to occur at non-towered airport locations.

Adverse Weather Conditions

Adverse weather conditions can interrupt communication between the craft and air traffic control, cause dangerous flying conditions, and cause an aviation accident during landing. A plane crash lawyer can help you determine if airline workers contributed to or failed to prevent the accident by not taking precautions in adverse weather conditions.

Who Can Be Held Liable for an Airplane Accident?

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  • Pilot
  • Air Traffic Control (ATC)
  • Mechanic
  • Airline
  • Manufacturer

Types of Aviation Accidents We Handle

  • Airline Accidents – Airline accidents are those involving commercial flights where the customer purchases seats on the airplane.
  • Air Ambulance Accidents – These accidents involve a rescue craft or air ambulance, those airplanes specially equipped as an ambulance to transport critically ill patients.
  • Charter Plane Accidents – Charter planes are crafts that are rented out to customers for a fee. Charter airplane crashes are the most common.
  • Helicopter Crash – Helicopter crashes occur at a much higher rate than other types of aircraft travel.
  • International Airline Crashes – International airline crashes involve airplanes that are traveling overseas.
  • Private Plane Accidents – Private plane accidents and charter plane accidents are among the most common airplane accidents.

Reach Out to a Reno Aviation Accident Attorney Today

Aviation accidents often cause catastrophic injuries and deaths. Those who survive often suffer immense physical and emotional damage, such as brain injury, paralysis, and the inability to participate in the activities they enjoyed before the accident. In addition to the physical and emotional pain and suffering crash victims ensure, medical bills to treat their conditions can be exorbitant.

The lifetime cost to treat a traumatic brain injury, for example, can range from between $85,000 and $3 million. A spinal cord injury can cost victims between $1.3 and $4.5 million over the course of a lifetime. Burn injury victims can expect to pay upwards of $10 million in medical treatment costs. Work with a Reno aviation accident lawyer to learn more about recovering effectively for your injuries and losses.