Nashville Aviation Accident Lawyer Offers Guide to Regional Airport Liability for Injury Victims
When small plane crashes occur at Tennessee’s regional and municipal airports, determining liability requires careful investigation. As a licensed pilot, Nashville aviation accident lawyer John Griffith is uniquely qualified to tackle these types of personal injury cases. His background allows him to effectively analyze accident reports, maintenance records, and other technical evidence that can impact your claim.
If you’ve been injured in a small aircraft accident in Tennessee, you likely have questions about who bears legal responsibility. The answer often depends on several key contributing factors.
Common Liability Scenarios at Tennessee Regional Airports
Aviation accidents at regional and municipal airports often involve several factors and multiple responsible parties. Reviewing a series of common scenarios can help you recognize potential liability issues in your case.
Pilot Error During Critical Flight Phases
Poor decision-making during takeoff or landing can lead to devastating accidents. Say a pilot attempts to land despite warnings about dangerous crosswinds. If the small plane crashes and injures passengers, the pilot may be liable for disregarding safety protocols. If flying for a charter company, the employer could also share responsibility under vicarious liability laws.
Equipment Maintenance and Mechanical Failures
Regular maintenance is crucial for aviation safety. Imagine a situation where a small aircraft experiences engine failure shortly after takeoff due to contaminated fuel. An investigation reveals the regional airport’s fueling system hadn’t been properly maintained. Both the maintenance contractor and airport authority could face liability for resulting damages.
Challenging Weather Conditions
Weather plays a significant role when flying a plane. Picture a case where a flight school instructor takes a student pilot up despite forecast thunderstorms. If they encounter severe turbulence causing injury, the flight school may be liable for allowing training in hazardous weather conditions.
Airport Infrastructure Issues
Proper facility maintenance is essential. Consider an incident where a pilot collides with unmarked construction equipment near the runway during a night landing. The airport authority could be responsible for failing to mark hazards or notify pilots of ongoing work.
Air Traffic Control Errors
Communication mistakes can have serious consequences. If a controller clears two aircraft to use intersecting runways simultaneously, resulting in a devastating collision, the federal government may be liable through the Federal Aviation Administration. Your aviation accident lawyer can investigate further to explore all legal options available to you.
Tennessee Laws and Regulations for Aviation Claims
The statute of limitations for aviation accident claims in Tennessee is typically one year from the date of injury, which is the same as most other personal injury cases in the state. However, claims involving government entities like municipal airports may have shorter notice requirements. Tennessee observes the modified comparative negligence system.
Regional airports must comply with both Federal Aviation Administration regulations and Tennessee Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division rules. These cover everything from runway maintenance to emergency response procedures.
Claims against government-operated airports must follow the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act (GTLA), which has specific procedural requirements and damage caps.
Common Challenges in Proving Liability
Aviation accident cases present unique challenges in establishing fault, whether it’s a small plane crash or a large commercial aircraft that is involved.
- Physical evidence may be scattered or destroyed in the crash, making reconstruction difficult.
- Multiple parties may share responsibility, requiring complex analysis of each party’s role.
- Weather conditions and mechanical issues can be difficult to prove after the fact.
- Aviation regulations are highly technical, requiring expert testimony to explain violations to a jury.
- Insurance companies may claim the victim assumed certain risks by choosing to fly in a small aircraft.
Overcoming these obstacles requires thorough investigation and in-depth analysis of all available evidence. This may involve reviewing flight data records and maintenance logs, examining weather reports, and consulting aviation experts.
Steps to Protect Your Legal Rights
After an aviation accident, taking prompt action can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation.
Be sure to document everything possible about the incident, including weather conditions, witnesses, and any statements made by airport personnel. Take photos of visible damage and the accident scene if possible. Seek medical attention promptly, even for seemingly minor injuries. Small plane crashes can cause internal injuries that aren’t immediately apparent.
Potential Recoverable Damages
Victims of aviation accidents may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Protect Your Rights With Our Experienced Aviation Accident Lawyers in Tennessee
If you were injured while traveling by plane, we can conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible for your suffering—and we do not collect any legal fees unless we secure you the compensation you deserve. Simply fill out the short contact form on this page or call us at 615-823-8233 to set up your no-cost injury consultation, or learn more about your rights in our free guide, The 10 Worst Mistakes You Can Make With Your Tennessee Injury Case.