FAA Investigates Plane Accident in Nashville
In the midst of peak travel season this past December, Southwest Flight 31 coming from Houston, rolled off a taxiway at Nashville airport and into the grass. It was a Boeing 737 carrying 133 passengers and five crew members. According to a Southwest spokesman, the nose gear of the Boeing 737 collapsed, causing it to roll into the grass. According to the Metropolitan Nashville International Airport Authority emergency personnel immediately responded, along with Nashville fire department crews to assist passengers hurt in the wreck. It is reported the fire department transported eight people, mostly for minor injuries such as bumps and bruises.
After the wreck, passengers left the aircraft via stairs and were bussed to the terminal. Authorities do not believe weather had anything to do with the incident. The cause of the incident is now being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board. A damage assessment is also planned.
What Are Your Rights in Plane Accidents?
To start, international flights are governed by the Montreal Convention, which was adopted in 1999 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (a United Nations agency). Over the past 90 years, there have been various limitations imposed under international laws and treaties on what victims can recover from airlines for accidents. At present, there are no caps on the recovery against an airline unless it can prove that it took all necessary precautions to avoid the accident. Otherwise, an airline is liable for damages and injuries that ensue from an accident.
However, with domestic flight accidents, victims must take into consideration where to file the lawsuit (the state in which the plane took off? the state in which the accident occurred?), the law and damage caps in prospective states, the location of witnesses or victims, and the types of damages available in each state.
Additionally, federal law prohibits an airline from contacting any victims for 45 days after they have been involved in a crash. Because of this, it is recommended you contact a lawyer immediately if you have been involved in an airplane accident.
It is also important to note that airlines are not the only ones who may be responsible in an accident. Victims can theoretically sue third parties, such as the engine manufacturer or airport, for products liability or negligence.
Nashville Personal Injury Lawyers- Maximize your compensation today.
The lawyers at Calhoun Law, PLC will initiate an independent accident investigation for all victims of accidents, whether it is a plane, bike, truck, or car accident. We are here to ensure you and your loved ones get the compensation and justice you deserve. Airlines seem to have unlimited resources and will not hesitate to try to limit their liability. If you have been involved in a plane accident, it is important you consult an lawyer right away. Contact our Nashville accident and personal injury lawyers today. Consultations are free and confidential.
