Alaska Aviation Accident Lawyer

The Brown Injury Firm helps people throughout Alaska when they’ve been injured in accidents with airplanes or other aviation equipment. More so than perhaps anywhere else in the country, aviation is key to traveling in Alaska. Unfortunately though, that also increases the chances of injuries that are usually serious. We can help you through it. Set up a free consultation today.

Do I Need a Lawyer?

After an aviation accident, you’re dealing with a lot more than just your injuries. Medical bills start showing up. Insurance companies begin asking questions. Meanwhile, you’re left trying to figure out what actually happened and who’s responsible. That’s where having a lawyer can help. Our team can:

• Explain your rights and what your options are.
• Investigate the accident to find out what caused it and who may be at fault.
• Gather the records and evidence needed to support your claim.
• Handle conversations with insurance companies, aircraft operators, and government investigators.
• Guide you through the claims process or take your case to court if that’s what it takes.

Aviation accident cases aren’t simple. They often involve multiple parties, federal investigations, and a lot of technical evidence. While you don’t have to hire a lawyer, having someone in your corner can make the process a lot less overwhelming.

What Information Will I Need for an Aviation Accident Claim?

You probably aren’t thinking about paperwork after an aviation accident—and you shouldn’t have to be. Your focus should be on getting medical care and recovering. Still, if you’re planning to file a claim, certain information can make a big difference. Here’s what to hang onto if you can:

• Details about the accident. Write down everything you remember as soon as you’re able. Include where the accident happened, the type of aircraft, the weather, and anything you noticed before, during, or after the accident.

• Pictures and videos. If you took pictures of the aircraft, the accident site, your injuries, or anything else related to the accident, keep them. They can help show what happened and the damage the accident caused.
• Messages and paperwork. Save any emails, letters, texts, or other communication with the airline, charter company, insurance companies, or investigators. It all helps create a clearer picture of what happened after the accident.
• Medical records. Keep records of every part of your treatment—from the ambulance ride and hospital visit to follow-up appointments, physical therapy, and any future care you need. This is the backbone of your injury claim because it connects your injuries to the accident.
• Information from witnesses or bystanders. If anyone saw the accident or was on the flight with you, try to get their names and contact information. Their account can help fill in important pieces of the story.
• Flight information. Hold onto anything connected to your flight, like tickets, boarding passes, itineraries, baggage receipts, or charter paperwork. These documents can help establish who knew about the flight and who might be responsible.

Even if you know you can file an aviation accident claim in Alaska, getting the information you actually need isn’t always easy. Key evidence often feels out of reach, but we can help you get government records, internal airplane data, and anything else you might need.

Who’s Responsible for My Injuries After an Aviation Accident in Alaska?

More so than perhaps any other place in the country, flying is a part of everyday life in Alaska. It’s how a lot of people here travel between communities or head out on a hunting or fishing trip. No matter what the reasoning is, though, there’s one big question after an accident: who’s responsible? Unfortunately, the answer is rarely straightforward with these kinds of accidents. Sometimes it’s one person or company. Other times, multiple people share responsibility.

Legally, though, it usually comes down to negligence—whether someone was careless or failed to take care of your safety. WIth an aviation accident, that might fall on:

• The pilot. Sometimes, the person flying the aircraft may be responsible. Pilots have to make quick decisions, especially in Alaska where weather and flying conditions can change fast. Poor judgment, fatigue, flying into unsafe conditions, or failing to follow proper procedures can all play a role in an accident.
• The aircraft owner or operator. The person or company responsible for the plane has a duty to make sure it’s safe to fly. If they cut corners on inspections, maintenance, scheduling, or other safety requirements, they could be held responsible for what happened.
• Maintenance providers. Aircraft need regular maintenance to stay safe, and that’s especially true in Alaska’s harsh conditions. If a mechanic missed a problem, made a mistake during repairs, or failed to properly maintain an aircraft, they may be part of the reason the accident happened.
• The manufacturer. Not every aviation accident is caused by a person’s mistake. Sometimes, the problem starts with the aircraft itself. A defective part, faulty design, or mechanical issue caused by the manufacturer could make the company responsible for your injuries.
• Air charter or tour companies. Many people in Alaska rely on charter flights, bush planes, and flightseeing tours to get where they need to go. If the company made unsafe decisions, failed to properly train employees, or ignored safety concerns, they may share responsibility for the accident.

Even if your accident didn’t involve a catastrophic accident, you may still be dealing with serious injuries, medical treatment, lost income, and a long recovery. Figuring out exactly what happened—and who’s responsible—is only the first step. The next is actually using the options you have.

What Legal Options Do I Have After an Aviation Accident?

For a lot of people in Alaska, an aviation accident is only the start of their problems. Serious injuries are almost a given, but it’s how these injuries impact your life and your family’s life that serves as the fuel to actually file an injury claim and get damages.

To do it, though, you can either:

• File an insurance claim outside of court.
• File a personal injury lawsuit.

Insurance policies are usually in place with an aviation accident just like they are with a car accident or a slip-and-fall, but the situation is extremely different. And if an insurance claim won’t deal fairly, you can move on with a lawsuit. One way or the other, you’re going after financial support tied to your:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Rehabilitation and ongoing medical care
• Property damage or lost personal belongings
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Reduced quality of life
• Funeral and burial expenses in a wrongful death case

Alaska has deadlines for filing personal injury and wrongful death claims—currently two years from the date of the accident. That sounds like a lot of time, but since aviation accident investigations often involve maintenance records, flight data, weather information, and expert analysis, that time can dry up quickly.

What Types of Aviation Accidents Happen in Alaska?

Because Alaska depends so heavily on aviation, accidents happen in a variety of situations. While every situation is different, some of the more common types of aviation accidents include:

• Bush plane accidents
• Charter and air taxi accidents
• Mechanical failures
• Pilot error
• Helicopter accidents
• Ground accidents

No matter how your accident happened, the impact usually lasts well beyond the flight itself. Understanding the circumstances and what went into yours can feel pretty overwhelming on top of everything else you’re dealing with. Our team can take the lead and guide you through it all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t know what caused the accident?

That’s completely normal. Most passengers have no way of knowing why the accident happened. But our team will handle the gathering of records, reports, and findings to narrow it down.

Should I talk to the insurance company?

You can report basic facts, but it’s usually best to avoid giving detailed recorded statements before you understand what you’re up against. Insurance companies that cover aviation accidents usually begin investigating things right away, and what you say early on could impact how your claim plays out.

What if I can’t get records from the airline or charter company?

You’re probably not going to have access to things like maintenance logs, inspection records, flight information, or internal company documents on your own. That’s common in aviation accident claims. We know what to look for and how to get these records.

Reach Out to The Brown Law Firm After an Aviation Accident in Alaska

An aviation accident can change your life in a matter of seconds. Whether it happened on a bush plane, charter flight, helicopter, or another aircraft here in Alaska, you’re suddenly left dealing with a lot of unanswered questions.

You don’t have to sort through all of that by yourself. Our Alaska aviation accident lawyers at The Brown Law Firm will guide you through every step of the claims process while you focus on getting better. Reach out today to set up a free consultation.