A helicopter crash accident can result in catastrophic injuries, fatalities, and significant financial and emotional challenges for victims and their families. Unlike a typical motor vehicle collision, helicopter crashes can involve multiple parties, complex aviation regulations, aircraft maintenance records, pilot qualifications, and questions about what caused the crash.
When evidence indicates that negligence or another wrongful act contributed to a helicopter crash, injured victims and surviving family members may have legal options. Understanding what can cause a helicopter crash, who may potentially be responsible, and what steps to take after an accident can help protect important rights.
Fielding Law represents clients injured because of negligence-based and intentional acts. If you or a loved one has been affected by a helicopter crash in California or Arizona, an attorney can review the circumstances of the accident and explain potential legal options.
What Causes A Helicopter Crash?
Helicopter crashes can happen for many different reasons. Some accidents may result from weather, mechanical problems, or other circumstances that do not involve negligence. Other crashes may involve preventable mistakes or failures involving the pilot, aircraft owner, operator, maintenance provider, manufacturer, or another party.
Potential contributing factors can include:
- Pilot error
- Inadequate pilot training or experience
- Mechanical or equipment failure
- Improper aircraft maintenance
- Defective aircraft components
- Poor weather conditions
- Inadequate flight planning
- Improper loading or weight distribution
- Fuel-related problems
- Air traffic control issues
- Failure to follow applicable safety procedures
- Miscommunication between crew members
- Negligent operation or oversight
Determining what caused a helicopter crash requires more than looking at the circumstances surrounding the accident. An investigation may involve examining the helicopter, maintenance records, flight records, pilot qualifications, weather information, witness statements, electronic flight data, and other evidence.
Who May Be Responsible For A Helicopter Crash?
Responsibility for a helicopter crash is not always straightforward. Depending on the circumstances, several individuals or organizations may have contributed to an accident.
Potentially responsible parties could include the helicopter pilot, aircraft owner, flight operator, maintenance company, manufacturer, parts supplier, or another party whose conduct contributed to the crash.
For example, if an aircraft was improperly maintained and a mechanical failure contributed to the accident, an investigation may need to determine who was responsible for inspecting, maintaining, and servicing the helicopter.
Similarly, if a defective component failed during flight, the manufacturer or another company involved in producing or distributing the component may become part of the investigation.
The existence of a crash alone does not establish that another party is legally responsible. A liability claim requires evidence supporting the applicable legal elements and connecting the responsible party’s conduct with the resulting injuries or death.
Because helicopter crashes can involve multiple parties, preserving evidence and conducting a thorough investigation can be particularly important.
What Happens After A Helicopter Crash?
A helicopter crash may be investigated by multiple agencies and organizations. Depending on the circumstances, an investigation can examine the aircraft, flight path, weather, maintenance history, pilot qualifications, operational decisions, and other factors.
The National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, investigates certain aviation accidents and incidents and may issue findings concerning the probable cause of a crash. The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, regulates civil aviation and establishes requirements involving aircraft, pilots, operators, and aviation safety.
An NTSB determination concerning the probable cause of an accident is different from a determination of civil liability. A civil claim involves separate legal questions governed by applicable state or federal law.
Investigations can take time as evidence is collected and analyzed. Families may receive additional information as investigators determine what happened.
While an official investigation can provide valuable information, victims and families may also need to preserve evidence relevant to a potential civil claim.
What Should You Do After A Helicopter Crash?
If you survive a helicopter crash, your immediate priority should be receiving appropriate medical attention. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, particularly after a traumatic event.
Once immediate medical needs are addressed, consider taking steps to preserve important information about the accident.
Seek medical care. Follow the recommendations of your medical providers and keep records of treatment, medications, diagnostic testing, and follow-up appointments.
Document your injuries. Medical records can provide important evidence regarding the nature and severity of your injuries and the treatment you require.
Preserve information. Keep documents related to the flight, accident, medical treatment, insurance communications, and expenses associated with your injuries.
Avoid speculating about the cause. You may not know what caused the crash immediately after the accident. Avoid making statements about fault or responsibility before the facts have been established.
Be careful when communicating with insurance companies. Depending on the circumstances, insurers for different parties may become involved. Before providing a recorded statement or signing documents related to a potential claim, consider speaking with an attorney.
Contact an experienced attorney. A helicopter crash can involve complicated liability questions and multiple potentially responsible parties. Legal counsel can help identify potential claims and determine what evidence may be important.
What Types Of Injuries Can A Helicopter Crash Cause?
Helicopter crashes can result in severe and life-changing injuries. Depending on the circumstances, victims may suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, burns, internal injuries, amputations, or other catastrophic injuries.
Some victims may require extensive hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, assistive equipment, or long-term care.
The financial consequences can extend well beyond the initial emergency treatment. A serious injury may affect a person’s ability to work, earn income, participate in daily activities, or care for family members.
Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, a personal injury claim may seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other losses.
The damages available in a particular case depend on the facts of the claim and the law that applies.
What If A Family Member Dies In A Helicopter Crash?
When a helicopter crash results in a fatality, surviving family members can face profound loss as well as difficult financial circumstances.
A wrongful death claim may be available when a person’s death was caused by another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct. The people who may bring a claim and the damages that may be available depend on the applicable law and the circumstances of the case.
Families may need to address funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, and other losses associated with the death of their loved one.
A wrongful death case can also require careful investigation into the circumstances that caused the crash. Preserving evidence can become increasingly important as time passes.
Why Is Investigating A Helicopter Crash Important?
A helicopter crash investigation may involve evidence that is not readily available to an injured victim or family member.
Important evidence may include:
- Aircraft maintenance records
- Pilot training and qualification records
- Flight plans
- Air traffic communications
- Weather reports
- Passenger records
- Aircraft inspection records
- Flight recorder data or other available electronic flight data
- Photographs and video
- Witness statements
- Aircraft component information
- Company safety policies and procedures
Depending on the circumstances, an attorney may work with qualified investigators, aviation professionals, engineers, medical professionals, economists, or other experts to evaluate available evidence and determine whether negligence or another wrongful act contributed to the crash.
This can be particularly important when the cause of the accident is disputed or when multiple parties may share responsibility.
Deadlines Can Apply To Helicopter Accident Claims
Personal injury and wrongful death claims are subject to deadlines that vary depending on the circumstances and applicable law.
In California, many personal injury claims generally must be filed within two years. Arizona also generally provides a two-year limitation period for personal injury claims. However, exceptions and different deadlines can apply, including circumstances involving government entities or other specific types of claims.
Because the applicable deadline depends on the facts and legal issues involved, victims and families should not assume that the same deadline applies to every helicopter accident.
Speaking with an attorney promptly after a crash can help identify applicable deadlines and preserve evidence that may be important to a potential claim.
Helicopter Crash Accidents In California And Arizona
California and Arizona have extensive aviation activity, including private flights, commercial helicopter operations, emergency services, tourism, aerial photography, transportation, and other uses.
A helicopter crash can therefore occur in a variety of settings and circumstances. The legal issues involved can depend on where the accident occurred, who operated the helicopter, the relationship between the parties, and the specific facts surrounding the crash.
State and federal laws may apply, and certain claims can involve specific deadlines or procedural requirements. The applicable rules can also vary depending on the type of claim and the parties involved.
Fielding Law represents clients in California and Arizona who have suffered serious injuries because of negligence-based and intentional acts.
How A Helicopter Accident Attorney Can Help
Following a serious helicopter crash, families may be focused on medical treatment, rehabilitation, funeral arrangements, or simply trying to move forward. An attorney can help address many of the legal issues associated with investigating a potential claim.
This may include reviewing available evidence, identifying potentially responsible parties, communicating with insurers, evaluating damages, and working with investigators or other professionals when appropriate.
Every helicopter crash is different. The fact that a crash occurred does not automatically establish legal liability. A potential negligence claim generally requires evidence establishing the elements required under the applicable law, including a connection between the defendant’s conduct and the injury or death involved.
That is why a careful investigation can be important.
Contact Fielding Law After A Helicopter Crash
If you or someone you love was injured in a helicopter crash accident, understanding your legal options can be an important part of protecting your future.
Fielding Law is a boutique personal injury law firm serving clients in California and Arizona. Our attorneys represent people dealing with serious injuries and wrongful death resulting from negligence-based and intentional acts.
You do not have to determine who is responsible on your own. Our team can review the circumstances of the accident and discuss potential next steps.
Free, 24/7 consultations. No obligation.
Call 833.88.SHARK to speak with Fielding Law.
Fielding Law, APC – Irvine, CA Office
505 Technology Dr Ste 250
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 288-5484
Fielding Law, APC – Phoenix, AZ Office
2 N Central Ave Ste 1800
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(859) 578-4444
Note: Information provided is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney for legal concerns.
