When aviation accidents strike, the consequences are often catastrophic. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a private, commercial, or charter aircraft incident, you need a legal team with the experience, grit, and resources to go head-to-head with powerful aviation and insurance corporations.
At Daly & Black, P.C., our Houston aviation accidents attorneys are ALL IN. ALL THE TIME for you, your family, and your fight for justice.
Schedule a free consultation today and take your first steps towards a just outcome.
Understanding Aviation Accidents
Aviation accidents can occur on small private planes, charter jets, helicopters, or large commercial aircraft. Regardless of the type of aircraft or whether a crash occurs during takeoff, in-flight, or landing, the aftermath can leave survivors and families devastated and searching for answers.
Statistics on Aviation Accidents
While commercial aviation remains one of the safest modes of travel, aviation accidents still occur. According to the National Safety Council, the total number of accidents involving U.S. registered civilian aircraft came to 1,216 in 2023. The vast majority of these incidents involved general aviation (private and non-commercial aircraft), where accident rates remain significantly higher than in commercial aviation.
Key data includes:
- General aviation accounts for approximately 94% of all U.S. aviation accidents.
- Fatal accident rates in general aviation are significantly higher than in commercial air travel.
- Mechanical failure and pilot error remain leading causes across all flight types.
These figures highlight the importance of legal representation that understands the distinct risks and regulatory frameworks for each type of aviation incident.
Common causes of aviation accidents include:
- Pilot error
- Mechanical or structural failure
- Air traffic control negligence
- Defective aircraft components
- Improper maintenance
- Severe weather conditions
Each incident triggers investigations from agencies like the FAA and NTSB, but those findings alone won’t hold the responsible parties financially accountable. That’s where your legal team comes in.
Who Can Be Held Liable in an Aviation Accident in Houston?
Liability in aviation cases can extend across multiple parties, depending on how and why the crash occurred. Our job is to untangle this web of responsibility and build a powerful case on your behalf.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- Commercial or charter airline operators
- Pilots and crew
- Aircraft manufacturers and parts suppliers
- Maintenance providers and ground crews
- Air traffic controllers or airport operators
A thorough investigation and expert analysis are essential to identifying every liable party and pursuing the full compensation you may be entitled to.
What Steps Should I Take After a Loved One Is Hurt or Killed in an Aviation Accident?
The steps you take after an aviation accident depend significantly on the type of flight involved. Whether the incident occurred on a commercial airline or a private aircraft, it’s important to act quickly to preserve critical information.
For Commercial Airline Incidents
After a commercial airline crash, it’s crucial to act promptly and deliberately. These incidents are immediately subject to federal investigation, and your actions in the early days can make a significant difference in protecting your legal rights.
Confirm that federal investigators (FAA/NTSB) are involved
These agencies typically launch immediate investigations after major commercial airline accidents. Their reports can be critical to understanding what happened, but you still need your own legal advocate to interpret and act on those findings.
Preserve flight and passenger information
Save your loved one’s boarding pass, itinerary, seat assignment, and any emails or messages related to the flight. These details may help identify the liable parties and build your legal case.
Do not speak with airline representatives or insurers without legal counsel
Their job is to limit liability. Anything you say could be used to minimize or deny your claim. Let your attorney handle all communications.
Contact a Houston aviation accidents attorney
We can coordinate with investigators, preserve vital evidence, and represent your interests from day one.
For Private or Charter Aircraft Accidents
When a crash involves a private or charter flight, families may have to take more initiative to uncover what happened and who is responsible. These situations often lack the immediate federal oversight seen in commercial crashes, making early legal intervention even more critical.
Ensure the crash has been reported to local law enforcement and aviation authorities
While commercial flights are automatically tracked, private aircraft crashes may require additional effort to ensure proper reporting.
Identify the aircraft operator and ownership
Responsibility may lie with several parties, such as the aircraft owner, the charter company, the pilot, or even a maintenance contractor. Understanding who was in charge of the flight and ensuring safety protocols were followed is key to building a strong legal case.
Preserve any communications, contracts, or agreements related to the flight
This includes charter agreements, flight bookings, or email correspondence—anything that documents the nature of the trip.
Engage an experienced aviation accident lawyer
These cases are legally and technically complex. Having the right attorney ensures your family’s rights are protected and your case is positioned for success.
Regardless of the type of flight, our team is prepared to manage the legal and investigative burden while you focus on your family. We work tirelessly to pursue answers, accountability, and the compensation you may be entitled to.
What Laws Govern Aviation Accident Claims?
Aviation accident cases are governed by a unique mix of federal, international, and state laws. Understanding which legal framework applies, and how it differs depending on whether the incident involved a commercial airline or a private aircraft, is critical to building a successful claim.
For Commercial Airline Accidents
- Federal Aviation Act and regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration set nationwide safety standards and operational requirements.
- National Transportation Safety Board oversees investigations and issues factual findings, though it does not determine liability.
- Montreal Convention may apply to international flights, governing passenger injury or death claims and baggage-related losses.
- Victims and their families typically pursue compensation through state wrongful death or personal injury statutes, guided by FAA preemption and aviation-specific case law.
For Private and Charter Aircraft Accidents
- These incidents are still regulated by the FAA and investigated by the NTSB, but they involve a wider range of potentially liable private entities.
- Claims may hinge more heavily on state personal injury law especially in cases involving pilot negligence, improper maintenance, or mechanical failure.
- Contract law may also come into play if a charter agreement was involved or waivers were signed.
Navigating this legal landscape requires a firm that understands both the technical aspects of aviation and the overlapping jurisdictions at play. Daly & Black is prepared to guide you through every layer of the law to pursue justice and the full compensation you may be entitled to.
Why Hire a Houston Aviation Accidents Attorney?
Aviation law is a niche legal field governed by federal regulations, international treaties, and state tort law. You need an aviation accident lawyer who understands all three.
At Daly & Black, we don’t just know the law, we know how to win. We coordinate with aeronautical engineers, flight reconstruction experts, and investigators to build airtight cases. We dig into black box data, challenge corporate denials, and fight until every dollar of aviation injury compensation is secured.
Whether you’re dealing with wrongful death, traumatic brain injury, or permanent disability caused by an aviation incident, we pursue maximum recovery through aggressive litigation.
How can a Houston aviation accident attorney help with my case?
- Investigate the crash and identify all liable parties
- Navigate federal and state regulations
- Handle claims against commercial and private operators
- Deal with insurers trying to minimize or deny your claim
- File lawsuits and represent you in court if needed
This isn’t a job for a general personal injury lawyer. It requires focus, firepower, and a legal team that goes ALL IN.
The Daly & Black Difference
At Daly & Black, P.C., we’re not afraid to take on major airlines, manufacturers, or government agencies. Our aviation accident lawyers have the resources, technical knowledge, and courtroom experience needed to pursue high-stakes claims from every angle.
What makes us stand above the rest?
- Recognized litigation leaders in high-value injury and insurance cases
- Proven track record in handling aviation and other complex claims
- Deep understanding of FAA and NTSB processes
- Multi-jurisdictional reach with offices across the country
- Client-first mindset backed by relentless advocacy
You deserve more than answers. You deserve justice.
Daly & Black is ALL IN. ALL THE TIME. for clients who have suffered unthinkable losses.
Get Legal Support After an Aviation Accident in Houston
After an aviation accident, knowing where to turn can feel overwhelming. Whether the incident involved a private plane, a charter flight, or a commercial airline, securing experienced legal counsel is one of the most important decisions you can make.
At Daly & Black, we focus on high-stakes, complex claims—including those arising from aviation disasters. We understand how to work with aviation investigators, navigate overlapping federal and state laws, and pursue accountability from powerful corporations and insurers alike.
Schedule your FREE consultation with a Houston aviation accidents attorney today.
FAQs
Who can be held liable in an aviation accident in Houston?
Liability can fall on airlines, pilots, manufacturers, maintenance crews, or even air traffic controllers depending on the crash’s cause.
What should I do if a loved one was injured or killed in a plane crash?
Seek medical help, document the details, and contact an experienced aviation accident attorney as soon as possible.
How can a Houston aviation accident attorney help with my case?
We handle every aspect of the case—from investigation and evidence collection to litigation and negotiation—to help you recover maximum compensation.