Plane Crashes and Negligence: Who Can Be Held Accountable?
When a plane crash occurs, the aftermath is devastating. Families are left grieving, lives are upended, and the path forward can feel impossible to understand. In Olathe, Kansas, and across the country, we know just how heavy the emotional and legal burdens can be for those impacted.
While air travel is generally safe, accidents still happen, and when they do, it's often because someone failed to uphold their duty of care. At Adams Cross, LLC, we believe that every victim and every family deserves clarity, justice, and a chance to recover.
Whether a crash involves a small private aircraft or a large commercial plane, accountability matters. The causes of aviation accidents can vary, but they often involve some level of negligence.
Identifying negligence and holding the right parties responsible can make a major difference in a plane crash personal injury case. Attorneys David S. Adams, Jordan N. Cross, and Sean Brown are committed to helping individuals and families across Kansas get answers, seek justice, and pursue rightful compensation.
Common Causes of Plane Crashes
Every aircraft accident is different, but many share similar causes. Recognizing these causes helps us trace the line between an accident and negligence.
Some of the most frequent causes of plane crashes include:
Pilot error or misjudgment
Mechanical failure or maintenance issues
Poor weather conditions and failure to respond appropriately
Defective aircraft design or manufacturing defects
Air traffic control mistakes
Fuel mismanagement or contamination
When we're investigating a personal injury or wrongful death claim related to an aircraft crash, understanding the root cause is step one. It's how we determine who may be responsible and how we start building a case.
Multiple Parties May Share Responsibility
Plane crash cases rarely point to just one liable party. Because aviation involves many layers of responsibility, multiple people and companies might be accountable for what happened.
Potentially liable parties in a plane crash can include:
The pilot or flight crew
The airline or aircraft operator
Maintenance contractors
Aircraft manufacturers or parts suppliers
Air traffic controllers or airport personnel
Charter companies or private owners
Our goal in a personal injury case is to review every detail to determine who failed in their responsibilities. Once we establish that link, we can pursue compensation from all relevant sources.
Proving Negligence After an Aviation Accident
Once we've identified the parties involved, we need to show that their actions—or inactions—amounted to negligence. This step is vital to a personal injury claim.
We consider the following when proving negligence:
Duty: Did the party have a legal responsibility to act safely?
Breach: Did they violate that duty through an action or failure to act?
Causation: Did their breach directly cause the accident or injuries?
Damages: Did the crash lead to measurable harm, such as injuries, death, or financial loss?
We gather evidence like flight records, maintenance logs, black box data, eyewitness accounts, and expert testimony. All of these tools help us paint a clear picture of what went wrong and who should be held responsible.
How Federal and State Laws Interact
Plane crash cases are unique because they often involve both federal and state law. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees the safety and regulation of all civil aviation, but state-level personal injury laws also apply when seeking damages.
We work within both systems to make sure your case meets every requirement while also protecting your rights. Kansas law governs how personal injury and wrongful death claims proceed, including how damages are calculated and how long you have to file.
Key legal structures we consider include:
FAA regulations and compliance
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation results
Kansas wrongful death and personal injury statutes
Insurance policies and federal liability limitations
Bridging federal findings with state-based legal action allows us to present the strongest case possible.
What Victims and Families May Recover
Plane crash cases can be physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming. Personal injury lawsuits are a way for victims and families to recover losses and begin putting their lives back together.
Types of damages that may be recovered include:
Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
Lost income or future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress or trauma
Funeral and burial expenses in fatal cases
Loss of companionship or parental support
No two cases are alike. We look at every element of loss to make sure nothing is overlooked. These damages aren’t just numbers; they reflect the real toll a crash takes on people’s lives.
Challenges That Often Arise in These Cases
Plane crash litigation isn’t straightforward. We often encounter challenges that require persistence and a thorough legal strategy to overcome.
Some of the hurdles we help clients through include the following:
Delays in official investigations
Conflicting reports from the involved parties
Limited access to critical flight data or black box records
Attempts by defendants to shift blame or deny responsibility
Pressure from insurance companies to settle quickly or cheaply
We don't let these barriers stand in the way of justice. Our job is to fight for answers and compensation, no matter how complicated the circumstances may seem.
Building a Strong Personal Injury Case
When you come to us after an aviation accident, we begin by investigating every detail. From there, we develop a legal plan focused on your recovery and long-term well-being.
When building a personal injury case, we focus on the following:
Collecting and preserving evidence right away
Interviewing witnesses and aviation experts
Coordinating with federal investigators (like the NTSB)
Filing claims within legal deadlines
Protecting you from aggressive insurance tactics
Everything we do is driven by a commitment to your recovery and your right to hold negligent parties accountable. We're not here to rush a case—we're here to get it right.
How Our Legal Firm Can Support You
After a crash, emotions run high, and answers can feel far away. That’s where we step in. Our attorneys at Adams Cross, LLC are here to stand beside you with legal experience, compassion, and real answers.
We support clients and their families with:
Free consultations to understand your situation
Clear, consistent communication throughout your case
Help dealing with insurance companies and investigators
No fees unless we win or settle your case
Legal professionals who treat your case with the respect it deserves
Attorneys like David S. Adams, Jordan N. Cross, and Sean Brown are dedicated to lifting burdens and providing legal solutions that make a difference. You're not alone in this.
After a plane crash, it’s natural to feel stuck in grief, confusion, and fear. But with the right support, healing and justice are possible. Every step we take together moves you closer to the answers and compensation you seek.
We believe in honest conversations, strategic legal action, and the power of standing up for what’s right. Our personal injury firm is here for you, whether you're seeking justice for yourself or for a loved one you’ve lost.
Contact Us to Start Moving Forward After an Aviation Accident
If you or your family has been affected by a plane crash anywhere throughout Johnson County, Lawrence, Wyandotte County, or the Kansas City Metro area, we’re ready to help you take the next step.
Contact the experienced plane crash attorneys at Adams Cross, LLC today to find out how we can support your case with strength, compassion, and experience.