One Killed, Others Injured in Recent Alaska Plane Crash: FAQs for Victims
A pleasant family holiday in Alaska turned tragic on July 22, 2019, when a float plane transporting seven individuals crashed at the mouth of Tutka Bay near Homer. According to an Anchorage Capital Gazette article, the sole fatality was a 57-year-old man who died while being transported to South Peninsula Hospital. The victim’s travel companions, including his wife, three children, and another relative, suffered injuries ranging from minor to critical.
Federal Aviation Administration, Coast Guard, and Alaska State Troopers continue to investigate the causes of the plane crash, but these incidents are often the result of human error. The circumstances raise many liability issues, and an Alaska plane crash attorney can provide more information. However, some answers to frequently asked questions may be helpful.
Why are airplane crashes so frequent in Alaska? The aviation accident rate in Alaska is much higher that across the rest of the country. Alaska has more than 39 mountain ranges with towering peaks and weather that can obscure visibility of them. The training and supervision of pilots is critical to air safety. Too often, airplane crashes are the result of negligence on the part of the airline company or the pilot.
What are my rights as an injured victim? When careless acts lead to a plane crash, individuals who suffer injuries may be entitled to seek compensation from the responsible person or entity. Potential parties may include the pilot, owner of the aircraft, business owner, and many others.
Typically, you would seek monetary damages by filing a claim with an insurance company. Doing so launches settlement negotiations, in which you attempt to resolve your claim by agreement. If the insurer is unwilling to settle for a fair amount, you would need to file a lawsuit in court.
How much can I recover through a plane accident claim? The exact amount depends on the facts of your case, but your compensation is based on two types of damages:
- Economic damages, such as the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, and other amounts you incur because of your injuries; and,
- Non-economic damages, which are subjective in nature and not easily assigned a specific dollar value. They include pain, suffering, emotional distress, pre-crash fear, and related losses.
What if a loved one died in a plane crash? Your rights as a surviving family member are similar, since you suffer significant losses when a close relative dies because of someone else’s negligence. Your claim can be filed through Alaska’s wrongful death laws, which allow a surviving spouse, children, and other relatives to recover compensation.
Are there time limits in an airplane crash case? Yes, you have two years to file a lawsuit in court under Alaska’s statute of limitations. If you fail to initiate litigation within this time period, you will be barred from ever recovering monetary damages.
How much will it cost to retain a plane accident attorney? Most personal injury lawyers bill through a contingency arrangement, by which you do not pay for legal services unless you obtain compensation for your claim. You should not have to deal with additional financial burdens and attorneys’ fees when you are already suffering considerably as an injured victim.
Contact an Alaska Plane Crash Lawyer to Discuss Your Situation
If you were injured or lost a loved one in an airplane accident, please contact Power & Power Law to learn more about your rights. We can set up a free consultation at our offices in Anchorage, Alaska, and we do bill on a contingency fee basis. Our team only gets paid if you recover compensation in your plane crash claim.