A plane crash rarely stays inside one state's jurisdiction. Neither should the law firm handling your case.
TMP Master Class - Personal Injury Litigation
Why These Cases Rarely Fit Inside One State's Borders
An aviation accident case is unlike almost any other personal injury claim because the accident itself often touches multiple states before a single lawsuit gets filed. The flight may have departed from one state, crashed in another, been operated by a company headquartered in a third, and involved a part built by a manufacturer in a fourth.
Each of those connections can affect which state's law applies, where a case can be filed, and how long you have to file it. That complexity is exactly why aviation cases benefit from a firm built to handle litigation across state lines, not one confined to a single jurisdiction.
Federal law adds another layer to that patchwork: the NTSB investigates virtually every serious aviation accident, and its findings, along with FAA regulatory records, often become central evidence regardless of which state ultimately hears the case.
Why Choose Our Firm
Aviation litigation calls for a different scale of resources than a typical injury claim, and that's exactly what we've built our practice around.
We Litigate Across State Lines as a Matter of Course
Our attorneys are licensed to practice in multiple states and regularly handle cases involving more than one jurisdiction, so a complicated multi-state fact pattern doesn't slow down how quickly we can act.
We Prepare Every Case as Though It's Going to Trial
Airlines, manufacturers, and their insurers negotiate very differently once they understand a firm is genuinely prepared to take an aviation case in front of a jury, wherever that jury happens to sit.
The Scale of Risk in the Skies
Aviation accidents are far more frequent than most people assume, and the data behind them is well documented. According to the FAA, the general aviation fleet in the United States includes more than 275,000 aircraft, and even with 2024 recording the lowest fatal accident rate since the agency began tracking it in 2009, roughly 200 fatal general aviation accidents still occur nationwide each year.
Commercial aviation remains statistically much safer than general aviation, but when a commercial accident occurs, it typically involves far more passengers and potential plaintiffs, adding a layer of complexity to the resulting litigation.
What Typically Causes an Aviation Accident
- Pilot error, including misjudged approaches and loss of control in flight
- Mechanical or power system failure
- Controlled flight into terrain
- Flying into deteriorating weather conditions
- Fuel mismanagement
- Improper maintenance or inspection failures
- Air traffic control errors
Our Roster of Attorneys The Trial Team Insurance Companies Don’t Want on Your Case
Frequently Asked Questions Aviation Accidents
Which state's law applies if my flight had crossed multiple states?
It depends on factors like where the crash occurred, where the defendant is based, and where you live, among others. This determination can significantly affect your case, which is why it's worth having an attorney experienced in multi-state litigation evaluate it early.
Will the NTSB investigation affect my civil case?
It can run alongside your claim without controlling it. NTSB findings aren't admissible as direct proof of fault in civil court, but the factual record the agency develops often becomes central evidence regardless of where the case is filed.
How long do I have to file an aviation accident claim?
Deadlines vary significantly by state, generally ranging from one to several years, and manufacturer claims can also be affected by the federal 18-year repose period under GARA. Because multiple deadlines can apply to the same case, it's important to get legal advice as soon as possible.
Do I have to pay anything up front?
No. We handle aviation accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so there's no cost to get started, and we're only paid if we recover compensation for you.
