Asiana Airlines settled 72 personal injury claims in lawsuits that were filed over a July 2013 crash landing at San Francisco International Airport. The flight was carrying 291 passengers and struck a seawall as pilots were attempting to land. Part of the tail of the plane was torn off, and the jet skidded down the runway before stopping and catching on fire. In the accident, 255 passengers and crew members suffered either no injuries or minor injuries. Another 49 suffered major injuries. Three people were killed.
The settlement with the passengers involved not only Asiana, but also Boeing, which made the airplane, and Air Cruisers, which made the evacuation slides. The financial details of the settlement are confidential. There are still dozens of additional cases involving over 70 plaintiffs pending in federal court in Northern California.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilots were to blame for the crash. Investigators say the pilots deactivated the plane’s key control for air speed, and made other errors as well. However, the NTSB also blames the complexity of the Boeing airplane for the accident. The auto-throttle and auto flight director, which are two of the plane’s key systems for controlling flight, contributed to the accident. Finally, the NTSB further blamed written materials that Boeing provided to airlines about the planes, which do not make it clear under which conditions the auto-throttle does not maintain speed.
All of the passengers who have settled had less serious injuries and their conditions have stabilized. The court must approve of the settlements before they will go through, because at least 14 of the people of those who sued were minors.
Airplane crashes are extremely rare. Airplanes are one of the safest forms of transportation. However, if an airplane crash does occur, it’s typically a very traumatic event that leaves behind a great deal of destruction and serious injuries or fatalities. In most cases, after an airplane crash the victims or their loved ones will file a personal injury suit. They may sue the pilot, the airline, the company that manufactured the airplane, or another party.
It often takes years to uncover the cause of an airplane crash. An investigation into the accident may involve both state and federal agencies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations. Some of the most common causes of airplane accidents include pilot error, faulty equipment, mechanical error, design problems, negligent air traffic controllers, or violations of FAA rules. If you have lost a family member in an airplane crash, you should seek help with your case. A personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve. Although you need time to grieve after the accident, it’s best not to wait too long to seek legal advice, or you may not be able to file a claim at all.
At Liberty Law, Micha Star Liberty believes that those who are injured in airplane accidents must hold the negligent parties liable for their damages. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an airplane accident, call San Francisco airplane accident attorney Micha Star Liberty at 415-896-1000 or 510-896-1000. You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and more. She works closely with the victims of personal injury accidents to ensure their families get the compensation to which they are entitled. If you have been injured in the San Francisco area, including Hayward, Oakland, Fairfield, San Jose, Tracy, and the surrounding areas, call today to learn more about your legal rights and to schedule your free consultation.
