Chicago Aviation Accident & Plane Crash Lawyer

You may think flying on a commercial aircraft is the most dangerous air travel, so you may be surprised to know that most aviation accidents involve smaller, private aircraft. When these incidents occur, the aftermath can be overwhelming. The experienced Chicago aviation accident and plane crash lawyers at our personal injury firm can help you navigate the complexities of an aviation claim and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.

What Are the Major Airports in the Chicago Area?

Chicago is a major aviation crossroads, anchored by O’Hare International Airport—2024’s second-busiest airport in the world, with more than 775,000 flights that year. Alongside O’Hare, Midway International Airport serves a significant volume of domestic flights. Regional airports like Rockford, Waukegan, and Gary/Chicago serve varied flight types, each with distinct rules and safety risks.

What Are the Statistics for Airline Accidents in Illinois for 2023?

While major aviation disasters capture headlines—like international flights Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in 2019 and Lion Air Flight 610 in 2018, involving plane manufacturer liability—they are statistically rare. Data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) show that “general aviation” flights (private, non-commercial pilots flying friends or family), which operate under Federal Aviation Regulation Part 91, account for a much higher number of accidents than commercial airlines.

In 2023, there were twenty-eight reported civil aviation accidents in Illinois, resulting in two fatalities. Twenty-five of the accidents and both fatalities were general aviation flights involving private, non-commercial planes.

What Are the Major Causes of Aircraft Accidents in the Chicago Area?

Aviation accidents are rarely caused by a single factor. Investigations often uncover a chain of events leading to the incident. Common causes include pilot negligence or error, such as failure to follow procedures or loss of control. Mechanical failures stemming from improper maintenance or defective parts are also significant contributors. Other potential causes include mistakes by air traffic control, runway incursions, fuel contamination, severe weather conditions, severe turbulence, and violations of established operational protocols.

Accidents involving commercial airlines also include injuries sustained while onboard, such as passenger-on-passenger incidents, falling luggage, trip and falls, medical events, and more.

Helicopter Accidents

Helicopter crashes often result from factors like pilot error, poor maintenance, faulty equipment, or mechanical failure.

Who May Be Held Liable for Aircraft Accidents?

Determining the parties responsible in order to recover compensation requires a detailed investigation of all available evidence, including the flight data recorder (FDR), cockpit voice recorder (CVR), and maintenance logs. Depending on the circumstances, there may be more than one liable party.

Potential defendants include major airlines (Part 121 carriers), charter companies (Part 135 operators), private pilots and their insurance companies (Part 91 operators), aircraft manufacturers, and third-party maintenance providers. In some cases, airport authorities or even the federal government or other government entities may bear some responsibility.

What Happens If I Am Partially Liable for My Aviation Case?

Under Illinois’s modified comparative negligence law (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), an injured person may recover partial compensation, reduced by their percentage of fault. They are completely barred if they are more than 50% at fault.

What Compensation May Be Available for Plane Crash Victims?

Aviation accident victims and their families may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses. This can cover economic damages, such as medical expenses and medical bills for future care, lost wages, and diminished future earning capacity. Aviation injuries can also include non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companionship.

In cases involving fatalities, surviving family members can pursue compensation from a wrongful death claim after a deadly plane crash. It is crucial to act quickly. Illinois’s strict statute of limitations (735 ILCS 5/13-202) requires an aviation accident claim, including wrongful death cases, to be filed within two years of when the airplane crashed or other aviation accident occurred.

What Federal and Illinois Laws Regulate the Airline Industry?

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Federal Aviation Regulations set safety and operating rules for different types of flights: Part 91 (general aviation), Part 121 (airlines), and Part 135 (charter/commuter). However, when someone is injured or killed in a private, small plane crash, the aviation accident lawsuit and recovery of damages are generally governed by Illinois aviation accident law, not federal law.

How Can an Aviation Accident Lawyer Help?

At our law offices, we help injured clients by conducting a thorough investigation to identify the responsible party. If an accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, we review everything from pilot error to maintenance records. Our goal is to build a strong case to secure the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Contact Our Chicago Aviation Accident Lawyers for Help

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in an aviation incident, let our legal team help you understand the legal process under aviation law. With a proven track record, our Chicago aviation accident attorneys offer a free consultation to discuss your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. An Illinois plane crash attorney from our law firm is ready to review your aviation accident case and help you understand aviation litigation when tragedy strikes.