Dallas Aviation Accident Lawyer | Plane Crash Attorney

Aviation accidents are among the most devastating types of crashes. If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a plane crash, helicopter accident, or other aviation disaster in Dallas, you need legal representation from attorneys who understand both the complexity of aviation law and the immense suffering these accidents cause.

Varghese Summersett has represented families affected by aviation accidents throughout Texas. Our Dallas aviation accident lawyers work with aviation experts, investigators, and engineers to determine what went wrong and who should be held accountable. We fight to secure maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and wrongful death.

Types of Aviation Accidents We Handle

Aviation accidents take many forms. We handle the following types of aviation accidents:

• Commercial airline disasters
• Private plane crashes
• Helicopter accidents
• Charter flight crashes
• Corporate jet accidents
• Small aircraft and single-engine planes
• Cargo plane crashes
• Air ambulance and medical helicopter accidents
• Crop duster accidents
• Aviation training accidents

These cases can occur anywhere: at Dallas Love Field, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, or remote areas across North Texas. Regardless of where the accident happened, we investigate thoroughly and pursue every responsible party.

If you’ve been affected by an aviation accident, call (214) 903-4000 for a free consultation.

What Makes Aviation Accident Cases Different

Aviation accidents are not like car crashes. These cases involve federal regulations, specialized investigators, and multiple potential defendants. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates most crashes, but their findings are not the final word on liability.

Under Texas law, injured parties can file civil lawsuits even while federal investigations are ongoing. Our lawyers work independently to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult with experts who can reconstruct what happened. We examine maintenance records, pilot training logs, weather data, and mechanical components to build the strongest possible case.

The stakes are enormous. Aviation accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or multiple fatalities. Insurance companies know this and they deploy teams of lawyers to minimize payouts. Without experienced legal representation, families risk settling for far less than their claims are worth.

Who Can Be Held Liable After an Aviation Disaster

Multiple parties may share responsibility for an aviation accident. Our investigation focuses on identifying everyone whose negligence contributed to the crash.

Aircraft Manufacturers and Parts Suppliers

If a defective part caused the accident, the manufacturer can be held strictly liable under Texas product liability law. We investigate whether design flaws, manufacturing defects, or inadequate warnings contributed to the crash. This can include engine failures, control system malfunctions, faulty landing gear, or structural failures.

Airlines and Aircraft Operators

Commercial airlines, charter companies, and corporate flight departments owe passengers a duty of reasonable care. If they fail to properly maintain aircraft, hire qualified pilots, or follow safety protocols, they can be held liable for resulting injuries and deaths.

Maintenance Companies

Aircraft require regular maintenance and inspections. If a maintenance provider fails to detect problems, performs substandard repairs, or cuts corners to save money, they can be sued for negligence. We examine maintenance logs, work orders, and inspection reports to determine if proper procedures were followed.

Pilots and Flight Crew

Pilot error accounts for a significant percentage of aviation accidents. If a pilot was impaired, fatigued, inadequately trained, or violated safety regulations, they can be held personally liable. We review flight training records, medical certifications, and duty time logs to assess pilot conduct.

Air Traffic Controllers

Although the federal government employs air traffic controllers, the Federal Tort Claims Act allows lawsuits in cases of controller negligence. If a controller provided incorrect instructions, failed to warn of hazards, or otherwise contributed to a crash, the government may be liable.

Airport Authorities

Airports have a duty to maintain runways, taxiways, and lighting systems in safe condition. If poor runway maintenance, inadequate lighting, or other hazards contributed to an accident, the airport authority may share liability.

Fuel Suppliers

Contaminated fuel can cause engine failures. If a fuel supplier provided substandard or contaminated fuel that led to a crash, they can be sued for negligence.

Watch: Who’s Liable After an Aviation Disaster?

Compensation Available in Aviation Accident Cases

Aviation accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or death. Texas law allows injured parties and surviving family members to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.

Medical Expenses

This includes emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, long-term care, medication, and any future medical needs. We work with medical experts to calculate the full cost of treatment over a victim’s lifetime.

Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity

If injuries prevent you from working, you can recover lost income. For catastrophic injuries that permanently affect your ability to work, you can also claim lost future earning capacity. Economic experts help calculate these losses based on age, occupation, and earning history.

Pain and Suffering

Physical pain and emotional trauma are real harms. Texas law recognizes this and allows compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. The more severe the injuries, the higher these damages typically are.

Disfigurement and Disability

Permanent scars, burns, amputations, or disabilities significantly impact quality of life. Juries understand this and often award substantial damages for permanent disfigurement and loss of normal life activities.

Wrongful Death Damages

When an aviation accident causes death, surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 71.004. This includes compensation for loss of companionship, mental anguish, loss of financial support, and funeral expenses. In Texas, only certain family members can file: spouses, children, and parents.

Punitive Damages

In cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, Texas law allows punitive damages. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 41.008, punitive damages are capped at two times economic damages plus non-economic damages up to $750,000, or $200,000 (whichever is greater). These damages punish particularly reckless behavior and deter future misconduct.

Get clarity about your options today. Call (214) 903-4000 for a free consultation.

How Fault Works in Texas Aviation Accident Cases

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001. This means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible.

In aviation cases, fault is rarely straightforward. Multiple parties often share responsibility. For example, a crash might result from both a pilot error and a mechanical failure caused by improper maintenance. Our job is to prove the full extent of each defendant’s negligence and maximize your recovery.

If multiple parties are at fault, each pays their proportionate share of damages. We pursue every responsible party to ensure you receive full compensation.

The Claims Process and Timeline After an Aviation Accident

Aviation accident cases take time. These are complex cases involving technical evidence, multiple defendants, and federal regulations. Understanding the process helps manage expectations.

Immediate Investigation

Time is critical after an aviation accident. Evidence can be lost, moved, or destroyed. We begin investigating immediately. This includes visiting the crash site (if accessible), photographing wreckage, interviewing witnesses, and preserving evidence before it disappears. We work alongside NTSB investigators but conduct our own independent investigation.

Expert Consultation

Aviation cases require specialized experts. We retain aviation engineers, accident reconstructionists, meteorologists, and former NTSB investigators to analyze what happened and why. These experts review flight data recorders, cockpit voice recorders, maintenance logs, and physical evidence to determine the cause of the crash.

Demand and Negotiation

Once we have a complete understanding of your injuries and the evidence, we send a demand letter to the responsible parties and their insurers. This outlines the facts, the law, and the compensation you deserve. Many cases settle at this stage, but aviation insurers often fight aggressively to minimize payouts.

Filing a Lawsuit

If negotiations fail, we file a lawsuit. Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury and wrongful death claims. This deadline is strict. Missing it means losing your right to compensation forever. We never wait until the deadline approaches; we begin building your case immediately.

Discovery and Depositions

During litigation, both sides exchange evidence and take depositions (sworn testimony). We depose pilots, maintenance personnel, corporate representatives, and expert witnesses. This phase can take months or even years in complex aviation cases, but it’s essential for uncovering the truth and building a strong case for trial.

Mediation or Trial

Most cases settle before trial, often through mediation. If settlement is not possible, we prepare for trial. Our trial lawyers have experience presenting complex technical evidence to juries and securing favorable verdicts. We don’t back down from big corporations or well-funded insurance companies.

Protect your rights and your future. Schedule a free consultation by calling (214) 903-4000.

Why Insurance Companies Fight Aviation Accident Claims

Aviation accidents involve enormous damages. Insurers know this and they deploy aggressive tactics to reduce what they pay. Understanding their strategies helps you protect yourself.

They Blame the Victim

Insurers often argue that the pilot or passengers contributed to the accident. This could include claims that the pilot was negligent, that passengers failed to follow safety instructions, or that the passenger’s own conduct caused their injuries. Under Texas’s comparative negligence law, any fault attributed to you reduces your recovery.

They Minimize Injuries

Insurers use their own doctors and experts to downplay the severity of injuries. They argue that injuries were pre-existing, unrelated to the crash, or less severe than you claim. We counter this by retaining independent medical experts who provide honest assessments of your condition.

They Delay and Stall

Time is on the insurer’s side. The longer they delay, the more financial pressure you face. Medical bills pile up, lost income creates hardship, and desperation can lead to accepting lowball offers. We relieve this pressure by aggressively pushing cases forward and, when necessary, advancing litigation costs to ensure your case moves quickly.

They Offer Quick, Low Settlements

Insurers often make quick settlement offers before you fully understand the extent of your injuries. These offers are almost always far below what your claim is worth. We advise clients never to accept an offer without consulting an attorney. Once you settle, you cannot reopen the case, even if your injuries turn out to be more severe than initially thought.

They Use Fine Print and Legal Technicalities

Aviation insurance policies are complex. Insurers exploit ambiguous policy language, exclusions, and procedural requirements to deny claims. We carefully review all applicable insurance policies and hold insurers accountable for the coverage they sold.

What Your Aviation Accident Case May Be Worth

Every case is unique, but certain factors consistently influence settlement and verdict amounts in aviation accident cases.

Severity of Injuries

The more severe your injuries, the higher your damages. Catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe burns, and multiple fractures result in higher compensation because they require extensive medical treatment and permanently affect quality of life.

Medical Expenses

Actual and projected medical costs form the foundation of economic damages. We document every dollar spent on treatment and work with medical experts to project future costs. Aviation accident victims often require years of ongoing care.

Lost Income and Future Earning Capacity

If you cannot work, or your ability to work is permanently reduced, these losses significantly increase your claim’s value. Economic experts calculate these figures based on age, education, occupation, and career trajectory.

Strength of Liability Evidence

Clear evidence of negligence increases settlement value. If we can prove that a manufacturer knew about a defect, or that an airline ignored safety warnings, the case becomes much stronger. Strong cases settle for more money because defendants face greater trial risk.

Defendant’s Financial Resources

Aircraft manufacturers, airlines, and aviation insurers typically have substantial assets and high insurance policy limits. This means larger recoveries are possible compared to cases involving individuals or small businesses with limited resources.

Wrongful Death Circumstances

The age of the deceased, the relationship with surviving family members, and the deceased’s earning capacity all affect wrongful death damages. Younger victims with decades of potential earnings and young children at home often result in higher damages due to the profound long-term impact on the family.

What to Expect From Varghese Summersett

When you hire us, you gain a team of legal professionals committed to fighting for you. Our Dallas office handles aviation accident cases with the same intensity and preparation we bring to every case.

Experience That Matters

We don’t settle cheap because we’re not afraid to go to trial. Insurance companies know this, and it strengthens our negotiating position.

Real Resources for Complex Cases

Aviation cases require significant upfront investment. We advance all litigation costs, including expert witness fees, investigation expenses, and court costs. You pay nothing unless we win.

Honest Communication

Our Dallas aviation accidents lawyers tell you the truth about your case, even when it’s not what you want to hear. You’ll always know where your case stands, what we’re doing, and what to expect next. We answer calls, respond to emails, and keep you informed every step of the way.

Trial-Ready Representation

Many personal injury firms avoid trial. We don’t. Our lawyers have extensive trial experience and we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. This forces defendants to take us seriously and often results in better settlements.

Get the compensation you deserve. Call (214) 903-4000 for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aviation Accident Cases

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after an aviation accident in Texas?

Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims. This means you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline bars your claim forever. Some exceptions exist, but don’t count on them. Contact an attorney immediately after an aviation accident.

What if the NTSB investigation is still ongoing?

You don’t have to wait for the NTSB to complete its investigation before filing a civil lawsuit. NTSB investigations can take years, and your statute of limitations doesn’t wait. We conduct our own investigation and file suit when necessary to protect your rights, even if federal investigators haven’t issued their final report.

Can I sue the federal government if air traffic controller negligence caused the crash?

Yes. The Federal Tort Claims Act allows lawsuits against the United States for negligent acts by federal employees, including air traffic controllers. These cases have special procedural requirements and shorter deadlines. You must file an administrative claim with the appropriate federal agency before filing a lawsuit. An experienced attorney can guide you through this process.

What if the person who died was my family member but we weren’t married and had no children?

Texas wrongful death law is strict. Only spouses, children, and parents can file wrongful death claims. If none of these relationships exist, the decedent’s estate can still file a survival action to recover damages the deceased could have claimed if they had lived. An experienced probate and personal injury attorney can help navigate these issues.

How much does it cost to hire an aviation accident lawyer?

We handle aviation accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we win. If we recover money for you, we take a percentage of the recovery. If we don’t win, you owe nothing. We also advance all litigation costs, so you never pay out of pocket for expert witnesses, court fees, or investigation expenses.

Contact a Dallas Aviation Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love was injured or killed in an aviation accident, you need experienced legal representation now. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies begin building their defense immediately. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

Varghese Summersett offers free consultations for aviation accident cases. We’ll review the facts, explain your rights, and tell you honestly whether we can help. You have nothing to lose by calling and everything to gain.

Call (214) 903-4000 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.

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