The roar of jet engines is as familiar to Miami residents as the sound of ocean waves. With Miami International Airport serving as one of the busiest aviation hubs in the Americas, millions of passengers pass through our city each year. Airplane accidents are rare, but as our personal injury lawyers know, they’re devastating when they happen.
Whether it’s a commercial airline disaster, a private plane crash, or an injury caused by negligence during flight, these cases don’t follow typical rules associated with most personal injury cases. They involve federal agencies, aviation regulations, and insurance companies with entire legal teams built to minimize payouts.
At Aigen Injury Lawyers, we know how to cut through that. We handle the complexity so you can focus on recovery, and we make sure the negligent parties pay for what they’ve done.
What Qualifies as an Airplane Accident?
In November 2025, for example, two people were killed after a small plane crashed into a lake in a residential area outside of Miami, according to police. Aviation accidents aren’t limited to catastrophic crashes. They include any incident where negligence, defective equipment, or unsafe conditions cause injury or death. That can mean:
Crashes and emergencies:
- Commercial airline crashes or emergency landings
- Private plane and charter aircraft accidents
- Helicopter crashes
- Runway incidents like collisions or aborted takeoffs
Injuries during flight:
- Severe turbulence that throws passengers from their seats
- Overhead bin accidents when luggage falls and strikes someone
- Burns from spilled coffee or hot food during in-flight service
- Slips and falls while boarding, deplaning, or using the lavatory
- Sudden plane movements that cause passengers to lose balance
- Inadequate medical attention when a passenger needs help
Common Causes of Aviation Accidents
- Pilot Error
Pilot error remains the leading cause of aviation accidents worldwide. This can include negligent preflight inspections, poor decision-making, misjudging weather conditions, or failing to follow established procedures. In Miami’s crowded airspace where pilots must navigate busy commercial routes, small private aircraft, and unpredictable tropical weather, mistakes can quickly become catastrophic.
- Mechanical Failures
Aircraft are highly engineered machines, but even small component failures can compromise safety. Engine problems, faulty avionics, landing gear failures, or defective flight-control systems all increase the risk of an accident. When a mechanical failure occurs, responsibility may fall on the airline, maintenance contractors, or the manufacturer.
- Maintenance Negligence
Every aircraft requires regular inspections and rigorous maintenance schedules to remain airworthy. When maintenance crews fail to detect worn parts, install components incorrectly, or skip mandatory inspections, the results can be deadly.
- Air Traffic Control Mistakes
Miami’s airspace is one of the busiest in the country. A single miscommunication between the tower and cockpit, whether involving altitude assignments, runway changes, or clearance to land, can lead to collisions or dangerous approaches.
- Weather-Related Negligence
Miami is known for sudden thunderstorms, heavy rains, lightning, and strong crosswinds. Hurricanes and tropical storms add further risk. Pilots, airlines, and airports must take appropriate precautions, including delaying or canceling flights when necessary. When they fail to act responsibly, they can be held accountable for weather-related accidents.
- Aircraft Manufacturer Defects
Sometimes an aircraft is dangerous before it ever leaves the factory. Manufacturing defects, aerodynamic flaws, software errors, and inadequate safety testing can all contribute to an accident. When this happens, victims may have a claim against major airplane manufacturers, parts suppliers, and engineering firms.
- Ground Crew Errors
Before an airplane ever takes off, ground crew members have critical responsibilities. Improper fueling, incorrect cargo loading, and failure to secure equipment can all lead to in-flight emergencies. If a ground crew member’s negligence contributed to your accident, they and their employer may be liable.
Compensation You Can Recover
Airplane accidents cause devastating injuries, from traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage to severe burns, broken bones, and psychological trauma. In the worst cases, accidents are fatal, and families may pursue wrongful death claims. If you were injured in an aviation accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages:
- Medical bills (emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation)
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Disability-related expenses
Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (for spouses)
Wrongful Death Damages:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship and guidance
In cases of gross negligence, punitive damages may also be available.
Why Aviation Accident Cases Are Different
Aviation cases are more complex than typical personal injury claims. They involve:
Federal Regulations and Agencies: The FAA oversees aviation safety, and the NTSB investigates crashes. Their findings can affect your case, but they don’t always tell the full story.
Multiple Liable Parties: Airlines, manufacturers, maintenance crews, and air traffic controllers may all share responsibility. Each has its own legal team and insurance carrier working to shift blame.
Specialized Evidence: Black box data, flight recorders, and expert testimony from accident reconstructionists and aviation engineers are often required to prove what happened.
International Law: The Montreal Convention applies to many flights, adding another layer of legal complexity.
Powerful Opponents: Airlines and manufacturers have unlimited legal resources and will fight aggressively to minimize what they owe. You need a law firm with the experience and resources to stand up to them.
What to Do After an Aviation Accident
If you’ve been injured in an aviation accident, take these steps to protect your health and your legal rights:
Seek medical attention immediately: Even if you feel fine, some injuries, like concussions or internal trauma, don’t show symptoms right away. Miami has specialized trauma centers experienced in treating aviation accident injuries, such as:
- Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital: A Level I trauma center delivers the highest level of trauma care, offering 24/7 emergency surgery, advanced intensive care, and comprehensive rehabilitation
- Mount Sinai Medical Center: Provides emergency care, heart and vascular services, orthopedic surgery, and general medical care
Document everything: Take photos of your injuries and the scene if possible. Collect contact information from witnesses. Save your flight details, boarding passes, and itinerary.
Report the incident: Notify the airline immediately and file reports with the appropriate authorities. Make sure there’s an official record. In Miami, report airplane accidents to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), or you can file a report online at ntsb.gov, or call the Miami International Airport Operations for incidents at MIA.
Preserve evidence: Don’t discard damaged clothing or belongings. Keep copies of all communications with the airline or insurance companies.
Contact a lawyer before talking to insurance adjusters: Adjusters work for the airline, not you. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Let an attorney handle those conversations.
Why You Need Aigen Injury Lawyers
Airplane accident cases are complicated. At Aigen Injury Lawyers, we work with experts who investigate crashes and understand how aircraft work. We find the truth, challenge bad reports from airlines, and build strong cases that get results.
In Florida, you have four years to file a lawsuit. But for international flights under the Montreal Convention, you only have two years. Insurance and government claims have even shorter deadlines. Miss them, and you lose your right to compensation.
Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Airlines build their defense immediately. If you or someone you love was hurt or killed in a plane crash, contact Aigen Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. We’ll fight for you while you focus on recovery.