When most people think “airplane accident” or “plane crash” they immediately assume that everyone onboard perished in the crash. The truth is that airplane accidents frequently have survivors and being one of those survivors can be a mixed blessing. Being involved in any type of accident can be a life changing experience. For survivors of an airplane accident, it can be a truly tragic experience. Surviving an airplane crash can be particularly traumatic due to the nature of the accident itself. While a survivor is clearly thankful to have survived, it is often the case that others that were on the same airplane did not. Whether it was the stranger sitting across from you or someone traveling with you, if others did not make it and you did then the added psychological trauma can be catastrophic. If you have survived an airplane accident and feel that someone else was responsible for the accident then they may also be responsible for the emotional trauma that you are dealing with as a result of the accident.
According to California airplane accident attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates, an airplane accident is handled under the laws of negligence. In the State of California, the doctrine of comparative negligence is followed. What that means is that more than one person (or entity) can be responsible for your damages. Damages can be either economic or non-economic. Economic damages are the obvious, quantifiable damages that you suffered such as medical bills, lost wages from time missed at work, and lost or destroyed belongings. Non-economic damages are what people frequently refer to as “pain and suffering” damages.
Under California law, non-economic damages include pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of use, humiliation, loss of love, support and companionship and emotional distress. These damages can be much more difficult to prove yet can easily surpass the monetary value of the economic damages. In an airplane accident, it is easy to see why one would have suffered significant non-economic damages. The emotional impact of having survived an airplane accident can leave one scarred for life. Many people have an understandable fear of flying after an airplane accident. Some people suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. Others have nightmares or cannot sleep at all.
If you are a survivor of an airplane accident and are suffering from any emotional issues as a result of the accident, then first you should know that you are not alone. Your reaction may similar to others that have gone through what you are going through. Second, understand that the emotional pain you are going through, the fear or the anguish may compensable in an airplane accident case. If someone else’s negligence caused the airplane accident, then you may be entitled to compensation for ALL of your injuries – including the non-economic ones. The best thing that you can do to protect your rights is to seek the advice of an experienced airplane accident attorney. If you would like a free and confidential detailed evaluation of your case in order to determine whether you have a viable airplane accident case, please contact the law firm of Emery & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or at www.ledgerlaw.com.
