New York Airplane Accident Lawyer

Aviation accidents shatter lives in an instant. When catastrophic crashes, mechanical failures, or pilot errors strike in New York's congested airspace, victims and families need experienced legal advocates who understand the complex world of aviation law.

At Hach & Rose, LLP, we've spent nearly 25 years fighting for injured New Yorkers, securing over one billion dollars in compensation for accident victims. Our New York airplane accident lawyers handle cases involving commercial airlines, private planes, helicopters, and corporate jets. Whether your incident occurred at JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, or anywhere across New York State, we have the resources and experience to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.

The aftermath of an aviation accident brings overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma. Insurance companies and airlines deploy teams of lawyers to minimize their liability. You need equally powerful representation. Contact Hach & Rose, LLP at (212) 779-0057 for a free consultation with experienced airplane accident attorneys who fight for the justice and compensation you need.

Why Choose Hach & Rose for Your Airplane Accident Case

Aviation accidents demand legal experience that goes beyond typical personal injury cases. These incidents involve federal regulations, international treaties, complex investigations, and multiple potentially liable parties. Our attorneys bring decades of experience navigating these challenging cases.

Our Experience and Track Record

We understand the devastating impact aviation accidents have on victims and families. Our founding partners, Gregory Hach and Michael Rose, built this firm on principles of aggressive advocacy combined with compassionate client service. We treat you like family, providing personal attention and direct access to your attorneys throughout your case.

Our track record speaks to our commitment and capabilities. Having secured over one billion dollars for injury victims, we've proven our ability to take on airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and insurance companies. We prepare every case for trial, giving us leverage in negotiations.

Personalized Attention for Every Client

Unlike mass tort firms that process cases in bulk, we provide individualized attention to each aviation accident victim. Your case receives thorough investigation, expert analysis, and strategic planning tailored to your specific circumstances.

We advance case costs; if we recover for you, those costs are typically reimbursed from the recovery. This contingency arrangement means we only get paid when we win your case.

Types of Aviation Accidents We Handle

New York's busy airspace sees various types of aviation incidents, each presenting unique legal challenges. Our experienced attorneys handle all types of aviation accident cases throughout New York State.

Commercial Airline Accidents

Major airline crashes receive significant media attention, but even seemingly minor incidents can cause serious injuries. We represent passengers who were injured on domestic and international flights, understanding the different legal frameworks that apply to each.

Commercial aviation accidents often involve multiple liable parties, including airlines and their parent companies, maintenance contractors and facilities, aircraft and parts manufacturers, airport operators and ground services, and air traffic control services. Each party may share responsibility for your injuries, and we pursue claims against all negligent parties.

Turbulence injuries, emergency evacuations, runway accidents, and equipment failures aboard commercial flights often result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, and psychological trauma. Our attorneys investigate every angle to identify all sources of compensation.

Private Plane and Small Aircraft Crashes

Private aviation accidents occur with alarming frequency in New York. These crashes may result from pilot error, inadequate maintenance, weather-related decisions, or mechanical failures. Small aircraft lack many of the safety features of commercial planes, making crashes particularly devastating.

We represent victims of private plane crashes, including passengers, pilots, and families who've lost loved ones. These cases involve complex liability questions regarding aircraft ownership structures, maintenance responsibilities, pilot qualifications and training, insurance coverage limitations, and charter company operations. Each factor requires careful investigation to establish liability.

Our investigation examines pilot training records, aircraft maintenance logs, weather conditions, and air traffic control communications. We work with aviation experts to build strong cases proving negligence.

Airport and Ground Accidents

Not all aviation injuries occur in the air. Airport accidents cause serious injuries to passengers and workers through jet bridge malfunctions, ground vehicle collisions, baggage handling incidents, runway incursions, and slip and fall accidents. These incidents may seem minor compared to crashes but can cause devastating injuries.

These cases may involve premises liability claims against airports, negligence claims against airlines, or third-party claims for injured workers. We represent both passengers and aviation workers, pursuing claims beyond workers' compensation when appropriate.

Common Causes of Aviation Accidents in New York

Understanding accident causes helps build strong legal cases. Our investigations focus on proving how negligence led to your injuries.

Pilot Error and Human Factors

Many aviation accidents result from human factors. Common pilot errors include fatigue and scheduling violations, inadequate training or experience, poor decision-making under pressure, communication failures with crew or ATC, and failure to follow established procedures. These errors often combine with other factors to create catastrophic results.

In New York's complex airspace, pilots face additional challenges, including congested corridors, multiple airports, and rapidly changing weather. Our investigations examine pilot qualifications, training records, flight hours, and previous incidents.

We analyze cockpit voice recordings and flight data to understand decision-making processes. Working with experienced aviator experts, we identify areas where pilots deviated from standard procedures or made errors that contributed to accidents.

Mechanical Failures and Maintenance Issues

Aircraft require meticulous maintenance to operate safely. When airlines, charter companies, or maintenance facilities cut corners, catastrophic failures result. Common mechanical failures include:

• Engine failures during critical flight phases
• Control system malfunctions
• Structural failures from metal fatigue
• Avionics and instrument failures
• Landing gear malfunctions

We investigate maintenance records, service bulletins, and compliance with airworthiness directives. Our experts examine failed components to determine whether manufacturing defects or maintenance negligence caused accidents.

Manufacturer claims may be limited by the General Aviation Revitalization Act's 18-year statute of repose, with narrow exceptions (e.g., new replacement parts). These cases often involve product liability claims against manufacturers alongside negligence claims against operators.

Weather and Environmental Factors

New York's variable weather creates challenging flying conditions year-round. While weather itself isn't grounds for liability, negligent decisions regarding weather create liability. This includes flying into known dangerous conditions, inadequate weather briefings or planning, lack of proper equipment for conditions, insufficient pilot training for weather, and pressure to maintain schedules despite risks.

Our analysis considers weather reports, pilot briefings, and operational decision-making. We examine whether operators followed proper procedures and whether pilots had adequate training for encountered conditions.

Air Traffic Control and Systemic Issues

New York's crowded airspace demands precise coordination between pilots and controllers. Busy VFR corridors in New York present unique coordination challenges. Controller errors or communication failures create dangerous situations through incorrect clearances or instructions, failure to maintain separation, miscommunication of critical information, inadequate staffing or training, and equipment failures or limitations.

These cases require analyzing air traffic control recordings, radar data, and established procedures. Proving liability may involve government entities, adding procedural complexity and requiring experienced counsel.

The Legal Process for Airplane Accident Claims

Aviation accident cases follow specific procedures that differ from typical injury claims. Understanding this process helps you protect your rights and pursue fair recovery.

Immediate Investigation and Evidence Preservation

Aviation accident cases demand immediate action. We mobilize quickly to:

• Document the accident scene
• Identify and interview witnesses
• Preserve physical evidence
• Obtain flight data and recordings
• Secure maintenance records
• Issue litigation holds

Critical early steps include obtaining pilot logs, weather information, and operational records. Our team coordinates with NTSB investigators while conducting an independent analysis. Photography, measurements, and witness interviews captured early prove invaluable later.

NTSB 'probable cause' findings are generally inadmissible, and cockpit voice recorder audio is protected; we rely on permitted factual materials and independent experts. Evidence disappears quickly as authorities remove wreckage and witnesses scatter. Quick action by experienced attorneys helps protect your rights.

Understanding Statutes of Limitations

Time limits for filing aviation accident claims vary by circumstance. Domestic personal injury claims generally have three years from the accident date. International flights fall under the Montreal Convention with a strict two-year filing period. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of death. Municipal claims require 90-day notice.

Claims involving federal agencies (e.g., air-traffic control) follow the Federal Tort Claims Act: an administrative claim is generally due within two years, and suit timing follows agency response. Public-entity claims may have short notice-of-claim deadlines. Different deadlines may apply to medical malpractice or product liability claims within aviation cases.

Missing deadlines eliminates all rights to compensation. We calculate exact deadlines for each potential claim and ensure timely filing.

Multiple Defendants and Complex Liability

Airplane accidents rarely involve single defendants. We identify and pursue claims against all potentially liable parties, including aircraft owners and operators, pilots and crew members, maintenance companies and mechanics, parts manufacturers and suppliers, airports and ground services, and air traffic control when applicable.

Each defendant typically has separate insurance coverage and legal teams. This creates complex litigation requiring experienced management. Our comprehensive approach pursues available compensation while preventing any party from escaping responsibility.

Insurance Coverage Issues

Aviation insurance involves multiple policies with varying coverage, including aircraft liability policies, airport premises coverage, products liability insurance, excess and umbrella policies, and international coverage requirements. Understanding and accessing all available coverage requires experience with aviation insurance structures.

Commercial airlines carry substantial coverage, while private operators may have minimal insurance. We investigate all applicable policies and fight for policy limits. Our aggressive approach prevents insurers from denying coverage based on technicalities.

Compensation Available in Aviation Accident Cases

Aviation accidents often cause catastrophic injuries, justifying substantial compensation. We pursue all available damages to help you rebuild your life.

Economic Damages

Economic damages include all quantifiable losses:

Medical Expenses 

Emergency treatment and hospitalization, surgeries and procedures, rehabilitation and therapy, medications and medical equipment, future medical care needs, and home modifications for disabilities all contribute to the medical component of economic damages. Aviation accidents often require extensive, lifelong medical care.

Lost Income and Earning Capacity 

Beyond immediate lost wages during recovery, we calculate reduced earning ability, loss of employment benefits, vocational retraining costs, and early retirement impacts. Aviation injuries frequently prevent victims from returning to their previous careers, requiring comprehensive vocational assessments.

We work with medical experts and life care planners to document all current and future needs. Vocational experts calculate how injuries impact your ability to work and earn. Our comprehensive approach captures every economic loss.

Non-Economic Damages

Beyond financial losses, aviation accident victims may suffer immense personal losses, including physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability and disfigurement, loss of consortium for spouses, and reduced quality of life. These intangible damages often exceed economic losses.

New York law recognizes these damages as equally important. We present compelling evidence through day-in-the-life videos, family testimony, and psychological evaluations. Juries often award substantial non-economic damages recognizing aviation accidents' traumatic nature.

Wrongful Death Claims

When aviation accidents claim lives, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, loss of parental guidance, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering before death. These claims help families cope with both emotional and financial devastation.

New York law specifies eligible family members and recoverable damages. We handle these sensitive cases with compassion while aggressively pursuing accountability. Holding responsible parties accountable provides some measure of justice.

Get the Legal Help You Need After an Aviation Accident

Airplane accidents demand immediate response from experienced attorneys. Evidence vanishes, witnesses disappear, and legal deadlines approach quickly. The airlines and their insurers begin investigating immediately—you need equally prompt and powerful representation.

At Hach & Rose, LLP, we bring nearly 25 years of experience fighting for injured New Yorkers. Our airplane accident lawyers understand these cases' technical complexity and emotional impact. We provide compassionate support while aggressively pursuing compensation from all responsible parties.

Don't face airlines and insurance companies alone. These corporations deploy teams of lawyers to minimize their liability. Level the playing field with attorneys who know how to investigate complex aviation cases, work with top experts, and present compelling arguments for compensation. Contact Hach & Rose, LLP today at (212) 779-0057 for a free consultation. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.