Alaska Airplane Crashes and Insurance
Alaska holds many distinctions, but one of the most interesting to those who live in the state or visit as tourists is accessibility by air, land, or sea. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 82% of all communities can only be reached by plane – a true Last Frontier in every sense of the term. You cannot travel by road to the state capital, Juneau, nor to Sitka, Kodiak, Ketchikan, Yakutat, Cordova, and Little Diomede in the Bering Strait. Instead, tourists and residents alike rely on airplane transportation to get around.
If you are visiting Alaska, you might be considering travel insurance, which covers losses related to lost luggage, delays, or cancellations. Some policies even protect against airplane accidents, horrific tragedies that you never expect when planning your trip. There are complicated legal issues involved with filing a claim under such circumstances, so it is wise to count on an Anchorage, AK plane crash attorney for help. You might also benefit from reviewing some basics.
Common Policy Provisions in Travel Insurance
Whenever there is something you want to protect, there is usually an insurance policy you can purchase to cover losses. Basic travel insurance is aimed at disappointment and financial, out-of-pocket losses. In the event of an airplane crash, the bigger concerns are:
- Medical costs incurred in attempts to treat the victim;
- Emergency transport and evacuation;
- Repatriation of remains after death;
- Death and dismemberment; and,
- Losses for surviving family members and loved ones.
For these losses, many travelers purchase flight accident insurance as part of a travel policy. The legal process for recovering compensation is somewhat straightforward, but the costs can be high.
How Liability Works in a Plane Crash
Travel insurance with flight accident coverage makes sense for some, but keep in mind that there are other protections in place for aviation accidents. Plane crashes happen for many different reasons, but they are almost always the result of negligence. The pilot may be careless in taking off, flying, or landing the aircraft, especially considering the rough weather in the most remote parts of Alaska. Airport officials on either end of a leg might fail to exercise reasonable care in maintaining the runways, lighting, towers, and radio communications. Other negligent parties might be the airline, maintenance and repair companies, ground crews, and many others.
The individuals, companies, and other entities who could be potentially liable for a plane crash also carry insurance – and these policies are the most important for victims and their families. You can file a third-party claim for compensation to recover for your losses, without spending your own money on flight accident insurance.
An Anchorage, Alaska Plane Crash Lawyer Can Explain the Legal Process
This information gives you something to think about when considering travel insurance, but there is nothing to mull over if you were hurt in an airplane accident: You need legal representation right away. To learn more about your rights, please contact Power & Power Law. We can schedule a no-cost consultation to review your circumstances and discuss strategy.