You might think that commercial airlines pose the biggest risk in air travel, but it may be surprising to learn that commercial air travel is one of the safest modes of travel. The majority of aviation accidents involve smaller, private planes. The Minnesota plane crash lawyers at our personal injury firm can provide legal assistance to help you navigate the complex legal process and fight for the fair compensation you need.
In this Article
What Are the Major Airports in the Minneapolis Area?
Minnesota is anchored by Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP), ranked #18 in the U.S. for passengers. Other significant airports include Duluth International Airport (DLH), Rochester International Airport (RST), and St. Cloud Regional Airport (STC).
Airfields like Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie and Crystal Airport support private pilots, charter services, and flight schools.
Aviation Accidents in Minnesota
While major airline disasters are statistically rare, incidents involving general aviation are more frequent. Data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) consistently shows that flights operating under Federal Regulation Part 91 account for the largest percentage of civil aviation accidents. These flights are typically private, non-commercial trips flown for personal or recreational reasons.
What Are the Major Causes of Aircraft Accidents?
Airplane and helicopter crashes are seldom the result of one single mistake. Instead, official investigations frequently reveal a sequence of contributing factors. Common causes include:
Pilot Error
Negligence or error on the part of the pilot remains a leading factor. This can involve failing to follow checklists, misjudging the weather, or losing control of the aircraft.
Mechanical Failure
An aircraft is a complex machine, and failures can occur due to defective parts or improper maintenance. These issues can sometimes lead to product liability claims against a manufacturer.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) Mistakes
Errors by air traffic controllers can lead to dangerous situations, including runway incursions or mid-air collisions.
Adverse Weather
Conditions like severe turbulence, icing, or thunderstorms can exceed an aircraft’s or a pilot’s capabilities.
Operational Violations
Failure to adhere to established safety protocols and regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can create unnecessary risks.
Onboard Incidents
Injuries on commercial flights can also happen from falling luggage, slips and falls, passenger-on-passenger affrays, or medical events that occur during flight.
Who May Be Held Liable for Aircraft Accidents?
Identifying the responsible entities in aviation accident cases requires a meticulous investigation. The legal team in our law firm collects evidence (including flight data recorders, cockpit voice recorders, maintenance logs, and witness statements) for these complex cases. Depending on the findings, multiple parties may be held liable in aviation accident claims.
Private pilots and their insurance providers (Part 91 operators)
Aircraft and component manufacturers
Third-party maintenance providers
Airport authorities or government entities
What Happens If I Am Partially at Fault for My Injuries?
Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault rule. Under this law (Minn. Stat. § 604.01), an injured person can still recover damages as long as their fault is not greater than the fault of the defendant. If you are found partially at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of blame. However, if you are found 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any damages.
What Compensation May Be Available for Aviation Accident Victims?
Under aviation accident law, victims of aviation accidents and their families may be entitled to seek compensation for a wide range of losses and serious injuries from an airplane accident. Our goal is to ensure you receive a fair settlement that covers both your present and future needs.
This can include: compensation for economic damages to cover medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity. It can also include non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In tragic cases where an airplane crash results in a fatality, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim to recover damages for their profound loss.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Aviation Accidents in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, the statute of limitations can be complex. While the general period for personal injury claims is often six years (Minn. Stat. § 541.05), some actions based on negligence resulting in injury must be brought within two years (Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1)). For wrongful death claims, a trustee must generally bring the action within three years of the date of death (Minn. Stat. § 573.02).
How Can a Minnesota Aviation Accident Lawyer Help?
After a traumatic incident like a plane accident, your focus should be on recovery. Our legal team is here to handle every aspect of your personal injury case. We conduct a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties—from a negligent pilot to the manufacturer of a defective component. We build a strong case designed to secure the full and fair compensation you deserve, managing all the paperwork and negotiations, so you can concentrate on what matters most.
Contact Our Minnesota Plane Crash Lawyers for Help
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an aviation industry incident, let our team provide comprehensive representation to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Experienced in aviation law, our Minnesota aviation accident attorneys offer a free consultation to discuss your personal injury or wrongful death case, review your medical records, and discuss your legal options. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means our clients pay no legal costs unless we win. Contact us today to discuss your plane crash case.
Our Minnesota aviation accident and plane crash lawyers can help you navigate the complexities of an aviation claim and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Latisha S.
Great service. They helped me get my money, and everyone was very pleasant even though the health insurance took a while. Everything was on point on Kryder’s side.
(312) 223-1700