What Is an aviation accident?

An aviation accident is one which can happen on a flight causing injury to passengers between the times of embarking and disembarking a plane.

If you have been involved in or know someone who has been involved in an aviation accident, you might be eligible to make an aviation accident compensation claim against the airline you flew with.

 

Aviation accident claims for compensation

Air travel is generally quite safe; however, accidents on board a flight are still common. Aeroplanes can be a scary place, specifically for people who are afraid of flying. The idea of flying in the air in a heavy piece of machinery for a few hours is a frightening thought on its own, so when people get into aviation accidents on planes, this may cause further worry about flying.

Aviation accidents happen every day onboard aircrafts. Most of the time, these accidents are through no fault of their own. Aviation accidents vary from minor injuries to severe injuries, depending on the accident.

If you have been injured in an accident on an aeroplane, whether while boarding, during the flight or while exiting the aircraft, there is a high chance that you could make an airline accident claim for compensation.

 

Aviation accident claims: Types of accidents

Accidents are common on aeroplanes and can cause problems or cancellations to holidays. Wildwood Legal has acted on behalf of clients who have been injured due to aviation accidents. Below are some of the types of aircraft accident personal injury claims we have dealt with:

• Slip or trips– stepping on or off the plane
• In-flight turbulence
• Overhead baggage falling down
• Overhead locker door injuries
• Trolley accidents- running over passengers or colleagues feet, any products falling off the trolley onto passengers etc
• Burns and scalds- from staff spilling food and drinks on passengers when passing it over to them
  Abrupt landing
• Allergic or Allergy reactions to in-flight meals

These are just a few of the injuries you can sustain on an aeroplane flight due to negligence. If you have been involved in or know someone who has experienced an aviation accident and were injured because of it, Wildwood Legal will help you make flight and holiday claims on a no-win, no-fee basis.

 

Does it matter if I was flying outside the UK?

 

If you have been injured on a plane, it will not matter whether you were on a domestic flight or an overseas flight. This is because of the ”Montreal Convention 1999”. The ”Montreal Convention 1999” controls international carriage by air. They enforce a strict liability on the airline in respect of accidents causing injury.

 

How long do I have to make a claim?

 

 As with most claims, there are time limits on making an aviation claim. Under the ”Montreal Convention 1999”, victims of aviation accidents usually have up to 2 years from the date of disembarking the aircraft to make a claim.

However, we would always advise that you should make a claim at your earliest opportunity.

To start your aviation claim today, call Winston Solicitors on 0113 320 5000 or fill in the enquiry form at the bottom of the page.

 

How much is my aviation accident compensation worth?

 

It is difficult with any claim to determine how much you will be able to claim for compensation, as all compensation amounts will vary depending on the severity of the injury you have suffered from and the impact it has had on you and your life.

Your compensation award will be split into general damages and special damages:

General damages refer to the amount of compensation you will receive for your injury. General damages take into consideration your suffering, pain and loss of amenity. The amount of compensation will be based on the type of injury sustained, the severity and the impact the injury has had on your life, and how it may affect your future.

Special damages take into consideration any additional financial losses you may have sustained as a result of the accident. When calculating how much compensation your aviation claim will be worth, we will look into:

Loss of earnings– from time taken off work due to your injury
Medication and treatment costs

Travel and parking costs– costs of petrol used to take you to and from the hospital and any parking costs

Additional care and assistance– from lack of ability to do certain tasks
Costs of any private treatments- such as physiotherapists

All these factors will help you achieve the maximum compensation for your air accident.

 

The claims process

 

An initial consultation about your claim will take place before we can start your case. The details you provide will help our travel litigation solicitors determine whether or not you will be able to succeed in your case. If your claim is accepted, we will begin the four-step injury claims process, which is as follows:

Case Investigation– We will first investigate your accident to identify the liable party.

Establishing liability – We will submit your case to the Defendant, and we will fight to prove that the Defendant was liable for your injury.

Calculate your compensation sum– If we are successful in establishing liability on the part of the Defendant, we will calculate a fair compensation amount, taking in factors such as your medical evidence, life changes and loss of earnings etc.

You may be required to attend an appointment with a medical expert before we can determine how much your claim is worth.

Negotiate a settlement– the opposing side may accept our valuation of your claim and settle the case, or they may offer an alternative amount. We will negotiate until an acceptable amount has been offered by the Defendant.

Claim Conclusion– If your claim settles, you will receive the compensation agreed. If there is no agreement, your case will go to trial. If this is the case, we will be right by your side every step of the way.

Making a claim for anything can be a scary process; however, at Wildwood Legal, our personal injury and travel litigation solicitors will be by your side throughout your case. We offer friendly advice and will explain any part of the process to you without the use of confusing legal jargon.

 

How can Wildwood Legal assist with your aviation accident claims?

 

At Wildwood Legal, we pride ourselves on the high level of customer service we offer all our clients.

Our experts aim to provide you with the best possible advice, be as flexible as possible to fit your needs and communicate with every client using language they will understand. We will guide you throughout the claims process and be by your side every step of the way.

If you have suffered from an aviation accident due to an airline’s negligence, call us today on 0113 320 5000 to speak to one of our specialist solicitors about your claim, or fill in the enquiry form below.

We are a law firm registered in England and Wales and are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.