Chicago Aviation Accident Lawyer
Flying remains one of the safest forms of travel. However, that does not mean that airplanes and helicopters are immune to errors or mechanical failures. When accidents occur, they typically result in severe injuries and fatalities.
If you were severely injured due to the negligence of a pilot, airline, aviation manufacturer, or other negligent party, you should not have to face the mounting treatment costs, lost wages, and the pain of your injuries alone.
Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. is a Chicago aviation accident law firm representing the victims of commercial and private aircraft accidents. With a deep understanding of aviation law, our attorneys are skilled at litigating complex aviation cases, addressing issues such as pilot error, faulty equipment, and regulatory violations.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an aviation incident, contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today for a free, no-obligation case consultation.
Causes of Aviation Accidents
Most aviation accidents involve private airplanes. According to NSC Injury Facts, 327 people died in civil aviation crashes in a single recent year across the United States, none of which were on a scheduled commercial flight. However, in early 2025, a deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C. broke a multi-year streak of no fatal commercial airline crashes in the United States. An alarming number of near misses have also occurred at several airports across the nation in recent years.
Some examples of common causes of aviation accidents include:
- Pilot error, such as navigational errors and failure to follow proper procedures
- Weather, including turbulence, ice, poor visibility, and any other weather conditions that can interfere with flying
- Air traffic control errors, such as miscommunication or poor guidance
- Mechanical failures, such as malfunctioning equipment or engine failure
- Insufficient pilot training
- Inadequate or improper maintenance
- Violations of FAA regulations
- Defective aircraft design or manufacturing flaws
At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we are experienced trial lawyers with a strong track record of success, having recovered more than $2.5 billion for our clients, including jury verdicts of $363 million, $148 million, $79.85 million, and $75.85 million.
Determining Liability in Plane and Helicopter Crashes
When an airplane or helicopter crashes, negligence is often the cause. For example, the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents describes one incident in Illinois where a pilot attempted to fly to pick up passengers despite knowing he had barely enough fuel. When an air traffic controller instructed the pilot to delay landing due to an airplane on the runway, the pilot ran out of fuel and had to make a forced landing in the woods. Another incident in Illinois was caused by the pilot’s failure to follow the course guidance from the Instrument Landing System.
These are clear examples of pilot negligence, but the pilot is not always the at-fault party. In another aviation incident described by the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents, the brakes on a plane stopped working during a landing. In such a case, the manufacturer or the party responsible for the aircraft’s maintenance could be liable.
Determining liability in an Illinois plane or helicopter crash can be difficult, but our Chicago aviation accident lawyers are prepared to:
- Investigate the crash
- Determine whether pilot error was a factor
- Determine weather conditions at the time of the crash
- Determine whether there were any mechanical failures
- Determine whether there were any manufacturer defects
- Review flight plans
- Review maintenance records
- Determine all liable parties
If our attorneys discover that any party’s violation of FAA regulations or other forms of negligence contributed to the accident, that party could be held liable for the crash.
Potentially liable parties in aviation litigation could include:
- Pilots
- Airlines and other businesses in the aviation industry
- Maintenance crews
- Aircraft manufacturers
- Air traffic controllers
- Airplane owners
Compensation Available for Victims of Chicago Aviation Disasters
The compensation available for victims of aviation disasters varies depending on the circumstances of the case. You may be entitled to file a personal injury claim if you were injured in an aviation incident caused by someone else’s negligence or fault.
If your loved one died in an airplane or helicopter crash, you may be able to collect compensation through a wrongful death claim. Only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois, and only for the benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin. Otherwise, a wrongful death claim works much like a personal injury claim.
In both personal injury and wrongful death claims, you can collect compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses, including past and future medical bills for procedures and treatments related to the aviation disaster
- Lost income for time missed from work while recovering from injuries
- Reduced future earning capacity if long-term disabilities require you to work in a lower-paid career
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral expenses and other wrongful death damages
The court may also award punitive damages in cases where the at-fault party’s actions were intentional, fraudulent, willful, or wanton, and the public interest and justice demand punishment and deterrence.
Illinois also has a modified comparative negligence rule. Under the rule, if a court determines that an injured person was less than 50 percent at fault for the incident in which they were injured, they can still recover partial compensation. An airplane or helicopter passenger is highly unlikely to share any responsibility for an aviation incident, but comparative negligence could, for example, help a pilot collect compensation for injuries caused by manufacturer defects or negligent air traffic controller errors.
FAA Regulations and Illinois Law After a Crash
FAA regulations require the pilot to notify the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) after an aviation incident. The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash, and the NTSB may also conduct an investigation. The Illinois Department of Transportation, which is responsible for state airline safety, may also be involved.
The Illinois statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of an airplane crash to file a lawsuit for personal injury or two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, the sooner you contact our attorneys, the better. It is critical for us to launch an investigation while evidence and eyewitness memories are fresh. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an airplane or helicopter crash, contact our Chicago airplane accident lawyers immediately.
Choose Our Chicago Firm for Your Aviation Accident Claim
An airplane or helicopter crash is a terrifying incident for everyone involved, and the aftermath can be extremely challenging. You may have to deal with medical treatments, physical therapy, nursing care, missed time from work, severe pain, and emotional distress caused by the incident. Hold the people who injured you accountable for their negligence or wrongdoing by contacting our Chicago personal injury lawyers now.
Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has recovered more than $2.5 billion for injured clients, including the highest compensatory verdict for an individual plaintiff in Illinois history and over 350 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more. With a diverse team of over 20 top litigators and over 35 supporting staff, we have the resources and experience to fight aggressively for the rights of our deserving clients.
If you were hurt because of a pilot’s, airline’s, or manufacturer’s carelessness, we stand ready to pursue justice for you. If you need an aviation injury lawyer, contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today for a free consultation.
