Aviation Accident Lawyer in Dothan

An aviation accident can cause serious injuries and raise difficult questions about what went wrong and who was responsible. Medical treatment, time away from work, and lost income can create added pressure when you are already trying to recover. 

A Dothan aviation accident lawyer at Wettermark Keith will investigate the accident, determine whose actions may have contributed to it, and seek damages from those responsible. We have 50+ years of combined experience and have recovered more than $1.5 billion for our clients. 

Aviation claims can involve pilots, aircraft owners, maintenance companies, manufacturers, and insurers, depending on what happened. Our Dothan personal injury lawyer will sort through those issues, gather the evidence needed to support your claim, and explain your legal options. At Wettermark Keith, It’s More To Us, It’s Personal. Call us today for a free consultation. 

Our Aviation Accident Attorney in Dothan Will Find Out What Went Wrong

Wreckage from aviation accidents in Dothan alone may not provide enough information to determine its cause. Investigators may need to review flight logs, maintenance records, weather information, pilot records, aircraft data, witness accounts, and information about individual aircraft parts. 

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) may conduct an investigation to look into what caused the accident. The agency’s work can involve the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), pilots, aircraft operators, and aircraft or engine manufacturers. 

Our aviation crash attorney in Dothan will conduct the legal investigation needed for your injury claim. That may include preserving evidence, reviewing government findings, consulting aviation professionals, and tracing decisions made before the flight ever left the ground.

How We Prove Negligence in a Dothan Aviation Accident Case 

An injury claim requires evidence connecting someone else’s conduct to the accident and your injuries. To prove negligence, you generally need to show that a person or company owed you a duty of care, failed in that duty, and caused your injuries. 

What went wrong may involve a pilot’s decision, missed or faulty maintenance, a defective aircraft part, or an aircraft that should not have remained in service. Records and other evidence can help show where the failure occurred and who was responsible.

The FAA places airworthiness responsibilities on aircraft owners and operators even when mechanics perform maintenance and inspections. For that reason, our aviation accident lawyers in Dothan look beyond the pilot when determining who may be liable.

Responsibility and Insurance Coverage in an Aircraft Injury Case

The actions of several people or companies may have contributed to the accident. Depending on what happened, responsibility may fall on a pilot, aircraft owner or operator, airline or charter company, manufacturer, maintenance provider, or another company that serviced the aircraft. 

Insurance can add another layer to an injury case. The coverage available may depend on who owned or operated the aircraft, how it was being used, and the terms of the policy. Some air carriers must also meet federal insurance requirements.

Wettermark Keith can identify the policies that may cover the accident and deal directly with the insurance companies. The team at our aviation law firm in Dothan includes former insurance lawyers and adjusters who understand how insurers evaluate and defend injury claims.

Aviation Accidents in Dothan Can Cause Life-Changing Injuries 

Aviation accidents can result in serious injuries ranging from broken bones to burns and head trauma. Some people may also suffer spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, severe cuts, or damage to the arms and legs.

Recovery may involve an operation, physical therapy follow-up appointments, and time away from work. Some injuries may keep a person from returning to the same job or activities.

Damages in an aviation accident claim may cover medical bills, future care, lost income, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, and permanent injuries. Wettermark Keith will document these losses and determine what damages may be available based on the facts of the case. 

Fatal Aviation Accidents and Alabama Wrongful Death Claims 

Losing someone in an accident can leave a family grieving and looking for answers about what happened. If you and your loved ones are experiencing this, we are sorry for what your family lost, and we approach these cases with the care they deserve. 

Alabama’s wrongful death law differs from the law in many other states. The deceased person’s personal representative brings a wrongful death action. Alabama wrongful death damages are punitive rather than compensatory. Their purpose is to punish wrongful conduct and deter similar conduct instead of measuring a family’s personal losses.

Our Dothan wrongful death lawyer can investigate whether negligence or another wrongful act caused the fatal accident and explain how Alabama law applies to your family. 

You Have a Set Time to File an Injury Lawsuit in Alabama

Aviation investigations can take time, but the deadline for bringing a legal claim continues to run. Under Ala. Code § 6-2-38(I), actions for injuries to a person or another person’s rights that are not based on contract and are not otherwise specifically listed generally must be brought within two years. 

The deadline can vary based on the facts of the case. Alabama’s wrongful death statute has its own deadline. Under Ala. Code § 6-5-410(d), a wrongful death action generally must be started within two years after the person’s death.

Starting an investigation early also gives Wettermark Keith more time to locate records, examine available evidence, and identify the parties involved. 

What to Do After an Aircraft-Related Accident in Dothan, Alabama

You should first get the medical help you need. Some injuries require emergency treatment, surgery, or rehabilitation. Follow the treatment plan given by your doctors, and keep all medical records and bills organized and in a place where you can find them.

Save anything related to the flight that remains available to you, such as tickets, booking records, photographs, emails, text messages, or information about the aircraft. 

Let Us Handle the Insurance Company for You

Avoid giving an insurer a recorded statement or signing paperwork about your injuries before you know what the document means for your claim. We will speak to the insurance company on your behalf.

You do not have to figure out the technical cause of the accident yourself. Wettermark Keith will begin gathering the records and other evidence needed to determine what happened.

Tell Our Aviation Accident Lawyer in Dothan About Your Injuries

When you hire a law firm after a serious accident, you should know who is handling your case and be able to get answers when you need them. Wettermark Keith has served more than 100,000 clients, and we bring a personal approach to every case we accept. 

We bring a Lunch Pail Mentality to our work: dig into the facts, do the work, and stay focused on what matters to the person who hired us. Our attorneys can also travel for consultations when needed. 

Tell our aviation lawyer in Dothan what happened and how your injuries have affected your life. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis so that you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover damages for you. Call Wettermark Keith today for a free consultation to review your legal options and next steps.