Washington Aviation Serious Injury Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Aviation Accidents:

Personal injury and wrongful death actions arising out of aviation accidents are very similar, generally speaking, to automobile or other vehicle accident lawsuits, but they are often a great deal more complex. Under aviation law the rules vary, for example, according to whether the accident involves a commercial airline or a private aircraft, whether it involves an international airline or a local airline, or whether it involves a military aircraft. Depending upon the circumstances, a particular aviation accident lawsuit may be impacted by state and/or federal laws and regulations, by rules periodically issued by various state and federal bureaucratic agencies, by Admiralty Law, by International Treaties, and by International Agreements and Conventions. Aviation Law attorneys must also deal, on a regular basis, with brain-numbing complications involving Conflict of Law issues. When an aircraft is manufactured in one place, component parts are manufactured in various places, passengers come from many places, an airline ticket is purchased in one place to travel from another place to yet another place, etc., it can be difficult to determine, following a crash, whose law shall apply.

Under principles of Conflicts of Laws, courts in one state are sometimes required to interpret and apply the law of another state in rendering a decision. The field of Aviation Law is difficult and challenging, and lawyers lacking a depth of knowledge and experience in it are easily lost and overwhelmed in the intricate labyrinth of its complexity.

Washington Wrongful Death:

A wrongful death occurs when a person is killed due to the negligence or misconduct of another. A legal action for wrongful death belongs to the deceased victim's immediate family members, usually a surviving spouse and children, and sometimes parents. Under certain circumstances, unrelated minor children living with and supported by the deceased victim may also bring a claim for wrongful death. In order to bring a successful wrongful death cause of action in Washington, the following elements must be present:

• The death of a human being caused by another's negligent or intentional conduct
• The survival of family members who are suffering the loss of financial support, love, care, comfort, supervision, guidance, household assistance and general society previously provided by the deceased

The general rule in wrongful death cases is that one is entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages which are suffered as a result of the loss of a loved one. Economic damages in a wrongful death case include an award for the financial contributions which the decedent would have made to his wife, children and/or parents had he or she survived. It also includes the recovery for funeral services in memory of the decedent and for burial costs. Non-economic damages include loss of love, society, companionship, comfort, affection, solace or moral support.

Washington Motor Vehicle Accidents:

Legal claims arising from vehicle accidents are typically governed by the law of negligence. Any individual who negligently operates a motor vehicle may be required to pay damages to an injured victim. A personal injury case involving a vehicle accident may become formalized through civil court proceedings, or may be resolved through an informal settlement before a lawsuit is filed. Vehicle accidents can include automobile accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, semi tractor trailer accidents, school bus accidents, and truck accidents, to name a few. The surviving family members of a fatally injured accident victim may be able to bring a wrongful death action against the defendant.

The Washington car accident attorneys of Krutch Lindell have years of practice and a successful track record representing clients who have suffered significant injuries in motor vehicle accidents of all kinds. The Firm works closely with doctors and other health care providers to discuss the short and long-term medical consequences of an injury. Krutch Lindell has a detailed understanding of Washington's automobile insurance and liability laws, as well as the different sources of recovery available to vehicle accident victims and their families.

Washington Traumatic Brain Injury:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a medical phrase used to describe the damage to the brain suffered by sudden impact or physical force to the head. Essentially, the human brain floats in a fluid substance called cerebrospinal fluid. TBI can result when the force of momentum causes the brain to impact against the skull. This type of injury, often the result of hitting your head on the windshield, pavement, or object, is frequently referred to as a "closed head injury." Whiplash can also cause TBI. These closed head injuries can result in lasting physical and mental problems.

If you or someone you know in Seattle, or throughout the State of Washington, needs the assistance or trusted legal advice of an experienced aviation accident personal injury lawyer, please contact Krutch Lindell today at 866-435-1794, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free initial consultation.