Private planes in the sky do have inherent risks. There have been 94 aviation accidents in 2025, according to data from the National Transportation Safety Board.
The victims of a private plane crash are left to deal with a terribly difficult and traumatically heartbreaking situation. Families of the victims can sometimes experience serious financial challenges.
According to Atlanta private plane crash lawyer Stephen T. LaBriola, commercial air travel is still safer than most forms of ground transportation, but keep in mind that there is still the possibility of crashes, especially in smaller aircraft and at regional airports. If you survive a private plane crash, you must quickly act to protect your well-being and seek any compensation that you deserve.
Let’s explore how an aviation attorney can help with the claims and compensation that come after a private plane crash.
Guarantee Safety and Seek Medical Help
Your safety should be of utmost importance immediately after a crash. Injury evaluations should be carried out on you as well as other individuals involved in the accident. Get medical assistance right away. It is sometimes useful if you look into your surroundings before moving toward safety.
Once you have determined your safety, it is time to make an emergency call. In your call, you can include any relevant information, like your location and the condition of the crash. If your cell phone is not working, you could try to find other survivors who have a working phone to assist you.
The rescue teams usually begin searching at the crash site so don’t leave the area unless you are in immediate danger.
Provide first aid, if possible, to anybody who needs it and is injured. Some injuries do not show right away so it remains advisable to seek medical assistance.
Cooperate with rescue teams to receive proper treatment. Your cooperation can help provide the rescuer with the right information.
Document the Incident Thoroughly
Gather evidence. Capture photographs of the accident scene, the aircraft, and the damage caused by the crash.
Document the events preceding the accident, especially important aspects like the crash site, prevailing weather conditions, and major landmarks in the vicinity.
It pays to obtain details from eyewitnesses for use in reconstructing the accident.
The aircraft’s flight log and conversations with air traffic control may provide critical evidence as to the cause of the accident and would serve as important evidence for your insurance claim.
Notify Relevant Authorities
Immediately inform the relevant authorities after a crash. Law enforcement assessment and safety issue resolution will be necessary.
Get in touch with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Each is responsible for investigating aircraft accidents in full. Provide them with information to initiate their investigations.
In case there are any injuries or death within the accident, request emergency medical services without delay.
You will have to call the insurance company and give them details of the crash so claims for damages and liabilities can be processed.
It is best judgment to act immediately without involving these agencies and authorities so you can fulfill regulated duties and shield potential liabilities on all ends.
Consult With an Aviation Lawyer
An aviation lawyer must represent you and enter into communication with the aircraft manufacturers, repair shops, and airlines. You will need a legal professional to defend your rights.
An attorney will be necessary to explain the legal procedure to you and protect you from any adverse circumstances. They will figure out the cause of the crash and collect evidence indicating who was responsible, inspect maintenance records, or see if any violations of the law have been committed by checking with pilots’ qualifications.
They will provide advice about insurance claims or lawsuits that may be pursued. Your lawyer will debrief the negotiations with all parties involved. They will take care of the legal aspects of your case while you focus on recovery. Their presence will make or break a case for you.
Understand Your Rights and Options
An aircraft accident attorney will have much knowledge to share with you regarding your rights and options for surviving a plane crash.
The party likely to be liable for any crash is the pilot, the aircraft owner, or perhaps even the manufacturer of the airplane. You can consult an attorney who will let you understand the law’s possibility of pursuing damages for any injury or damage to emotional well-being or property caused by the accident. Injury lawyers who cover aircraft accidents will be describing what their damages and viable compensation would look like based on medical bills, lost wages, pain, and perceived suffering.
Look up your particular state’s statute of limitations. These, along with many of the other legal deadlines, matter and may affect the strengths of your claim.
Emotional support is also subsequently encouraged. Mental and emotional wellness counts just as much as physical well-being.