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When aviation disasters strike, the Washington, DC airplane accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long provide experienced legal guidance during the most challenging times. While air travel is statistically safer than other forms of transportation, airplane accidents can be catastrophic, resulting in devastating injuries, loss of life, and complex legal claims spanning multiple jurisdictions.
Our aviation attorneys have extensive experience handling cases involving accidents at the DC area’s major airports – Ronald Reagan Washington National, Washington Dulles International, and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall – as well as regional facilities like College Park Airport and Leesburg Executive Airport. We understand the intricate federal and local regulations governing aviation, work closely with investigators, and have a proven record of successfully representing victims and families affected by airplane accidents.
From determining liability among multiple parties to navigating the complex claims process, our legal team provides compassionate advocacy while aggressively pursuing the full compensation our clients deserve. Contact our airplane accident lawyers now for a free consultation.
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Regan Zambri Long is currently representing families impacted by the American Airlines Flight 5342 crash. Learn more about the case.
Most aviation accidents are complex and involve several factors that go wrong. We can help determine what those factors were and the parties who should be held accountable. The variables that can cause an airplane accident are:
Errors by the pilot, flight attendants, and ground crew can lead to horrific plane crashes, like the Air Florida Flight 90 that crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River in 1982. The pilot did not switch on the engine’s internal ice protection system and failed to melt the ice that was in front of the plane. Furthermore, even when a problem was detected while taxiing, the pilot refused to abandon takeoff.
Fatigue, ego, impairment, poorly trained pilots, and miscalculations of the impact of bad weather (such as icing on the wings) risk the lives of everyone on board the aircraft. Smaller airplanes are specifically subject to human error plane accidents. Examples of human error leading to plane crashes include:
Planes are massive structures made up of hundreds of separate systems, engineering, and different parts. A defect or failure in any single part of the aircraft could result in tragic consequences. Equipment failure could result from a design flaw, a manufacturer flaw, or even from regular wear and tear. Inspections should be performed before and after each flight.
Corporations, such as big commercial airlines, are responsible for ensuring the safety of the customers. Their planes should be kept in pristine condition and hire top notch pilots and ground crew. However, many large aircraft corporations try to cut costs by allowing only the minimum amount of fuel, disregarding maintenance checks, and allowing unsafe landings.
The role of an air traffic controller is to monitor and control the flow of aviation traffic in and around the airport skies. When an air traffic controller makes a mistake, the error could cause a midair collision, or a crash during takeoff or landing. Air traffic controller negligence can include:
While no one can actually be blamed for the weather, it is up to the pilot or the airplane company to make sure their passengers are as safe as possible while on board, no matter what the weather forecast is. Aviation professionals are trained to study and understand the dangers of bad weather. If the pilot or aviation company failed to check the weather or if they underestimated the dangers of bad weather and caused a crash, you have rights to compensation.
Multiple parties can potentially bear liability in a DC airplane accident, depending on the specific circumstances and causes of the incident.
Airlines have a duty to maintain their aircraft and ensure their personnel follow required safety protocols. The airline company may find itself liable if the accident resulted from operational failures, inadequate maintenance, or improper training of flight crew.
Aircraft manufacturers and parts suppliers could face liability if defective components or design flaws contributed to the accident. This includes companies that manufacture engines, navigation systems, landing gear, or other critical airplane parts. These manufacturers must ensure their products meet strict safety standards and properly warn about any potential hazards.
Air traffic controllers and the federal agencies that employ them, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), might be responsible if controller error or systemic failures in air traffic management led to the accident. This could involve miscommunication, incorrect instructions, or failure to maintain proper aircraft separation.
Maintenance providers and repair facilities that service aircraft can be held liable if improper maintenance or repairs contributed to the accident. These companies must follow detailed regulations and manufacturer specifications when working on aircraft.
Airport operators may bear responsibility for accidents caused by unsafe runway conditions, inadequate lighting, or other airport facility issues. They have a duty to maintain safe conditions for takeoff and landing operations.
Weather services and flight planning providers could face liability if they failed to properly communicate weather hazards or provided incorrect information that led to the accident. In cases involving private aircraft, the pilot or aircraft owner may be liable if pilot error or poor decision-making caused the crash.
To determine who is responsible, an investigation will be needed. Speak with an experienced DC aviation accident attorney today to get the process started.
Aviation accidents involve complex technical, regulatory, and legal factors that make them challenging to investigate and litigate. These cases often require analysis of flight data recorders, maintenance records, weather conditions, and communications between flight crews and air traffic control to determine the timeline of events leading to the airplane crash.
Federal regulations and international aviation laws add another layer of complexity. Multiple agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration, and sometimes international aviation authorities, conduct investigations. Each agency follows specific protocols and procedures, generating extensive technical reports that must be carefully analyzed to build a strong legal case.
Jurisdiction can also complicate aviation accident cases. An accident might involve an aircraft manufactured in one state, maintained in another, and crashed in DC. International flights introduce additional complexity with laws from multiple countries potentially applying to the case. Questions of federal versus state jurisdiction must also be carefully considered.
The evidence in aviation cases is often highly technical, requiring testimony from multiple expert witnesses. These might include aerospace engineers, accident reconstruction specialists, meteorologists, and aviation safety experts. The analysis of black box data, radar records, and mechanical components demands specialized knowledge and expertise.
Insurance coverage in aviation cases also presents unique challenges. Multiple insurance policies may apply, including aircraft liability insurance, manufacturer’s liability coverage, and airport operations insurance. Understanding how these policies interact and identifying all available sources of compensation requires detailed analysis.
Aviation accident lawsuits are highly emotional and extremely complex with multiple parties who could be liable. The Regan Zambri Long aviation accident lawyers will work with industry experts to investigate the crash, determine fault, and then pursue the maximum amount of damages for your injuries and suffering. Our lawyers are deeply knowledgeable in federal law and Washington, DC insurance policies. You can rest assured you will have a legal advocate by your side to protect you from greedy corporations and their aggressive insurance providers.
Plane crashes create enormous publicity and the complexity can drag out a claim for years. Regan Zambri Long has the financial backing to see your case through until the very end. Our nationally recognized firm is regularly recommended by lawyers and judges across the United States. Our commitment to you: we will not collect a fee until a settlement or verdict is reached in your favor.
We will work tirelessly to secure the following damages:
According to the NTSB, victims have a 95.7% survivability rate in the event of a crash, which is higher than many expect. However, in the cases where a loved one died in an aviation accident, Regan Zambri Long can help you pick up the pieces and secure financial compensation for you and your family.
Your loved one may have brought in a significant portion of income, or may have been the sole provider. In these cases, the aviation and accident lawyers will pursue enough compensation to ensure your family is not thrown into financial distress as a result of the accident. We will work to secure any medical costs associated with the accident, as well as funeral costs.
The Regan Zambri Long personal injury attorneys understand they are meeting clients in the darkest moments of their lives. Though we know we can’t change what happened to you and your family, we can offer consolation by serving justice on your loved one’s behalf. Call today to speak with an experienced aviation accident attorney.
Unfortunately, some plane accident victims do not survive the crash. For those who make it, their injuries can be catastrophic. Speak to a Regan Zambri Long lawyer today if you suffered permanently debilitating injuries from an aviation accident. We will work to secure the maximum amount of compensation for the following injuries:
The Federal Aviation Administration is in charge of overseeing and enforcing all the regulations and standards covering the manufacturing, operating, and maintaining aircraft in the United States. For example, the FAA must enforce the new regulations from The Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013. This is a piece of legislation that instructs the FAA to provide an easier route for new light aircraft designs. It also includes a way for small aircraft owners to reduce the costs of maintaining their light aircraft.
The Regan Zambri Long aviation lawyers have extensive knowledge of the FAA rules and regulations and will use our knowledge to help bolster your claim and secure the compensation you deserve.
The 1999 Montreal Convention establishes airline liability in cases of death or injury to their passengers. The Convention is supposed to unify all international treaties covering airline liability into one, worldwide treaty.
A: The DC National Capital Region is governed by a Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) that falls within a 30-mile radius of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The SFRA restricts all flights in the greater DC area. This was established after the September 11th terrorist attacks. In order to fly within the Special Flight Rules Area, the aircraft must file a special rules flight plan, have a transponder code, and remain in contact with air traffic control at all times. In addition, special training is necessary for pilots flying near Washington DC.
Landing is the most dangerous part of any flight. In fact, according to Business Insider, 49% of all fatal accidents occur during the descent and landing of the aircraft, while takeoff accident fatalities remain around 14%. There is a simple explanation for why these two legs of the trip are the most dangerous. During takeoff and landing, the plane is low to the ground, which means if a problem occurs, the pilot has less time to react and fix the problem. When situations come up while the plane is cruising, the pilot has the time and the altitude to thoroughly investigate the problem and decide a course of action.
The Regan Zambri Long Washington, DC aviation accident lawyers have more than 30 years of experience in catastrophic injury law. We have secured millions of dollars for our clients over the years, and are highly motivated to protect our clients’ rights both in the conference room and courtroom. Several of Regan Zambri Long’s board-certified trial attorneys were named the top ten lawyers by Best Lawyers for their skill and ability to handle major cases. When you bring an aviation case to Regan Zambri Long, you’ll be met with compassion, care, and a team that will make sure you see justice served.
If you were involved in an airline accident in Washington, DC or you lost a family member in an airplane crash, don’t wait. Contact Regan Zambri Long today to schedule a free consultation.
