Airplane Accidents in New Mexico

Airplane Accidents

For obvious reasons, aviation accidents are extremely devastating and can result in many lives lost and a large amount of property damage. Fortunately, they are not frequent occurrences in New Mexico, but when they do happen, those affected must ensure that they receive the support they need.

There are several different types of aviation accidents that can occur. Although most people immediately think of an incident involving a large commercial airliner, accidents may happen in any sort of aircraft. Therefore, an aviation accident may be classified based on the type of aircraft that were involved. Potential aircraft include:

  • Fixed wing aircraft (both commercial jets and small private airplanes)

  • Helicopters

  • Aircraft built from a kit or experimental aircraft

  • Aircraft used for tours or charter aircraft

  • Aircraft used for medical evacuation

Accidents may also be classified based on the actual event itself. In this case, the categories include such classifications as:

  • Accidents occurring during takeoff, such as an improper taxi or failure to prepare the aircraft adequately for flight

  • Accidents occurring as a result of a bird strike that interferes with the operation of the aircraft

  • Equipment failure

  • Accumulation of ice on the frame of the aircraft that hinders proper flight control

  • Accidents occurring during landing including failure of the landing gear to deploy or properly support the aircraft

The type of accident will determine the personnel involved in the investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is typically the agency tasked with investigating an aircraft crash. For a major incident, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will also assist. For major airline incidents, the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996 outlines the responsibilities of both the NTSB and the involved airline.

Cause of an Airplane Accident

Before anyone can justly be blamed for an aviation accident, investigators must determine the cause. Typically the cause of the accident can be traced back to one or possible more than one of the following:

  • Defective equipment or defective aircraft design

  • Pilot error

  • Air traffic controller error

  • Improper maintenance or faulty repair of the aircraft

  • Problems with fuel

Legal Action in Airplane Accidents

Once a cause is determined, victims and families must decide whether to pursue legal action. The particular claim will depend on the nature of the cause.

  • Product liability claims are generally made when the accident was caused by a faulty aircraft design or defective equipment.

  • Accidents due to pilot or other human error typically result in a claim of negligence.

  • The Federal Tort Claims Act comes into play when the accident is the fault of an employee of the federal government, such as a Federal Aviation Agency air traffic controller.

The Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act prevents attorneys from directly contacting family members in the days following the incident. Therefore, families must be alert to recognize the need for legal action and seek out a lawyer qualified to handle their case.

Lawyers in New Mexico Helping with Victims of Coal Mine Accidents

Coal Mine Accidents

Every year, thousands of coal mining workers are injured because of faulty equipment, dangerous circumstances, or leadership neglect. If you have been affected by a coal mine accident, you need help from a law firm that can handle the situation quickly, professionally, and compassionately. At Killian Davis Richter & Mayle, PC in New Mexico, we provide attorneys who know exactly how to handle incidents involving coal mine accidents with your best interest in mind.

  • Our lawyers are professionally trained to deal with car, truck, motorcycle, and other vehicular accidents along with personal, brain, and spinal injuries, oil and gas accidents, and wrongful deaths.

  • Our expert attorneys are more than able to handle occupational illnesses and injuries due to coal mine accidents and will better instruct you on how to go about filing a claim if you are eligible for compensation.

Knowing the Next Step to Take

  • There are many different types of accidents that can take place at a coal mine: anything from electrical malfunctions to entrapment, accidental explosion of chemicals, falling or sliding rocks and other materials, falls while placing propping equipment, fires, impoundment, mining equipment failures, flooding, poisonous gas leaks, inadequate training, deliberate exposure to danger, and more. Sometimes, these accidents can be a direct result of an irresponsible manager, which places them at liability.

  • As a victim of a coal mine accident, you need someone who is going to take care of you. At Killian Davis Richter & Mayle, PC we will provide you with the help and care you deserve. We can assist with both permanent partial or total disabilities. We will also fight for the loved ones who have lost family members due to coal mine incidents. Contact our office to begin taking the next steps to receiving assistance in gaining compensation for these unfortunate events.

Our Firm Provides the Best Legal Care in New Mexico

  • We at Killian Davis Richter & Mayle, PC desire to show you the best way to handle unfortunate accidents that has brought a lot of struggle to you or the family of a victim of a coal mining accident. Our attorneys are always available to help those who are currently suffering the effects of those incidents. Don’t hesitate to contact our law firm to find out how you can find hope from filing a claim.

  • Whether you are a direct victim of a coal mine accident or a family member of a coal miner whose death is due to an accident caused by negligence from others, we have the information you need to take the next step in getting help.

Causes of Oil and Gas Accidents

Oil and Gas Accidents

Companies that are responsible for processing and transporting large amounts of oil and gas accept the liability that such a responsibility creates for all those who work around and handle these products. Because of the risk associated with oil and gas, worksites must be carefully monitored and cared for. When tanks, gas lines, drilling rigs, and pipelines are not properly maintained, accidents are inevitable. Failure to respond to reports of leaks or to provide proper safety measures through equipment and training also cause the likelihood of an accident to be increased.

  • Oil and gas companies carry full responsibility for creating and maintaining an accident-free work zone.

  • Maintenance failures related to gas lines, pipelines, tanks, and drilling rigs cause the risk of an accident to increase.

  • Safety measure failures or reported leak negligence are also major factors that lead to gas and oil accidents.

Types of Oil and Gas Accidents

Gas and oil accidents can occur within in large commercial companies, on the highways, or even in homes. Fires and explosions from propane or gas appliances that are defective can threaten the safety of a home while gas leaks, pipeline explosions, drilling rig blowouts, and major oil spills and chemical plant and refinery accidents can affect hundreds or even thousands of workers and citizens. Accidents that occur during shipment and transportation of oil and gas by highway or by water also have devastating results on many people—workers and bystanders—as well.

  • Oil and gas accidents in the home appear in the form of fires and explosions from propane and/or appliances fueled by gas that are defective.

  • Widespread devastation often occurs from gas leaks, pipeline explosions, oil spills, drilling rig blowouts, and accidents related to chemical plants and refineries.

  • Oil and gas spills and accidents harm employees and bystanders when these accidents take place during the transportation of these substances.

Results of Gas Accidents

Environmental damage created by mining processes and other types of oil and gas accidents has continued to negatively affect the communities and lives of many, often in ways that are imperceptible at first. Personal injury, serious health conditions, and even death to employees, work crew members, or even people living in residential areas nearby the scene of the accident are possible. Although oil and gas companies often cover the risks they choose to take by depending on skilled and experienced legal defense, the rights of any individual who has been harmed in any way through an oil or gas accident are still vitally important and worth reporting for the benefit of the injured party and for others who might suffer from continued carelessness or neglect.

  • Widespread environmental damage often occurs after oil and gas accidents.

  • Employees and work crew members within oil and gas companies can suffer serious injuries and health conditions from accidents within their workplace.

  • Serious accidents can cause death to workers and bystanders.