Washington DC Plane Crash Lawyer – February 2025 Update
On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines jet plane over the Potomac River, killing over 60 people. The news of this mid-air collision has shaken the nation and shattered the hearts of the victims’ families. With the help of an experienced attorney, surviving family members can file wrongful death lawsuits against those responsible for this tragedy.
A lawyer experienced in plane crashes can help survivors overcome the complexities involved in bringing a wrongful death lawsuit related to this tragedy. Partnering with an attorney can also help surviving family members seek justice for their lost loved ones and receive fair compensation.
About Washington DC Plane Crash Attorneys:
About the Washington DC Plane Crash
Potential Legal Claims Arising From the Plane Crash
Wrongful Death Lawsuits and the DC Plane Crash
How to File a Wrongful Death Claim With Your Attorney
Deadlines to File a DC Plane Crash Lawsuit
Why You Need a Plane Crash Lawyer
How King Law Will Handle Your DC Plane Crash Case
About the Washington DC Plane Crash
An American Airlines regional jet plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into one another in the air over the Potomac River. American Eagle flight number 5342 was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. The three-soldier crew flying the U.S. Army Black Hawk Helicopter were from the Bravo Company 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The crew was on a standard annual proficiency training flight at the time of the collision.
Investigations are underway into the possible causes of the midair crash. Preliminary statements by government authorities—such as the Federal Aviation Authority—and American Airlines indicate that the weather was clear, and the two crafts were in communication with air traffic control leading up to the incident. However, President Trump has signaled that the helicopter was flying above the 200 feet altitude limit for that craft.
Potential Legal Claims Arising From the Plane Crash
Surviving family members may be eligible to file wrongful death lawsuits if their loved one was killed in a plane crash. Additionally, if someone lost valuables on the plane—such as computers or jewelry—being held by the victim, they may qualify for damages. If people lost property due to or their business operations were impacted by the crash, they may be able to sue those who caused it. Complex laws—such as aviation regulations and the Federal Tort Claims Act—may govern who or what agency is legally liable when people are injured or killed in a plane crash.
Who may be at fault for the January 29th plane crash in DC?
People and institutions that may be to blame for what occurred include:
- The United States Army
- The Federal Aviation Administration or U.S. Government
- The pilots or crew of either aircraft
- American Airlines
- Air traffic control
- Those who manufactured or serviced the aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration—the agency that manages most air travel in the United States—may be responsible for its potential role in manning the air traffic control centers or the communications between the helicopter and jet. As the National Transportation Safety Board continues its investigation, more details may emerge that give clues to who or what else may be to blame for this tragedy.
Potential Settlements in DC Plane Crash Lawsuits
Surviving family members may be eligible for a settlement package if their loved one died in the fatal collision between the American Airlines jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29th. Each settlement will reflect the person’s losses and the laws that apply to their case. Examples include the mental anguish associated with losing a spouse, parent, or child and the loss of support. Additionally, surviving family members may receive reimbursement for funeral and burial costs.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits and the DC Plane Crash
Surviving loved ones may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit if their close family member died in the crash. Each federal and state law varies; however, most allow close relatives—such as spouses, children, or parents—to claim compensation.
If the person did not leave behind a spouse, the financial award might go to their children, parents, or heirs instead. An heir can be someone named in a person’s will. If the person who died did not have a will, the default inheritance laws decide who someone’s heirs are.
How to File a Wrongful Death Claim With Your Attorney
Filing a wrongful death case against the airline, United States government, or other at-fault party involves following a formal legal process. The procedure begins with gathering evidence about the American Airlines crash, such as your loved one’s flight information and travel details. Partnering with an experienced attorney can help you relieve the stress of handling the claim, allowing you to hand over the legal tasks so you can focus on your grief.
Step 1: Gather Relevant Documents
The first step in a wrongful death case is to prepare it for filing by locating relevant evidence and documents. Pieces of information that might be useful in constructing your case include:
- Boarding passes and flight details
- Receipt for plane tickets, hotel costs, or other travel-related expenses
- Letters or other correspondence to or from the insurance company, government, or other entity
- Documentation regarding the financial and non-financial support the deceased provided to you and your family
- Receipts for funerals, burial costs, and similar expenses
The information you locate should help to piece together what happened and describe your and your loved one’s economic and non-economic damages. Many survivors who have lost a loved one may find it draining and overwhelming to have to manage the anguish, sadness, and grief of the loss while also preparing a legal claim. This is normal. Our attorneys are here to help you by taking on the legal burden so you can do whatever you need to care for yourself and your family.
Step 2: Consult with a Plane Crash Lawyer
Navigating the legal, financial, social, and emotional experience of a loved one’s death in a plane crash can be a lot to take on without legal help. Consider collaborating with a reputable lawyer who can leverage their training in aviation laws and investigations to support you during this time.
They can communicate with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Defense, American Airlines, and other entities to discover information about the accident and its fallout. A lawyer can also prepare, send, and file key documents—such as letters to preserve evidence and legal complaints—to represent you and your loved one fairly.
Step 3: Filing the Wrongful Death Claim
The next step is for you or your attorney to file an aviation accident lawsuit against whoever is or could be to blame for your loved one’s death. The exact process required to file this type of claim depends on the specific allegations you are making and against whom.
Typically, it starts with submitting a formal complaint against the at-fault person, company, or institution. The complaint informs the at-fault party or parties about the laws you think they violated and the compensation you are entitled to. Next, you would engage in discovery—the information-gathering stage of the lawsuit—and discuss settlement options. Your lawyer can assist you with the entirety of the legal process of bringing and handling a wrongful death claim.
Your Attorney Will Navigate the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) On Your Behalf
Your attorney can help you navigate the legal process for holding an institution or government agency accountable for its fatal mistakes. For example, if you have a claim based on the Federal Tort Claims Act, you or your legal representative may have to follow a specific procedure outlined in the FTCA.
As part of this, you may have to prepare and submit Standard Form 95, which informs the government about you and your loved one, the allegations you are making, and the compensation you seek. An attorney with experience in plane collisions can help guide you through this in an empowering and effective way.
Deadlines to File a DC Plane Crash Lawsuit
Surviving family members filing aviation-related lawsuits must do so within a certain amount of time, called the statute of limitations. These deadlines are outlined in the laws the person believes the wrongdoer violated.
For instance, some statute of limitations may be a few years or less, while others may be longer. Moreover, people suing a government agency or actor may have to follow different due dates than those suing private companies or staff.
Acting quickly if you think you have a claim can help ensure you do not miss these deadlines. Additionally, it can allow you to press the charges while key evidence is fresh and available. Plane crash lawyers can help you determine what rights you have and help you meet these due dates if your loved one died in the American Airlines collision in Washington, DC, on January 29, 2025.
Why You Need a Plane Crash Lawyer
When you are in the midst of the shock and grief over losing a loved one, an attorney can step in and manage the legal aspects of the claim. Many surviving family members find relief in hiring a lawyer, allowing them to focus on other areas of their lives without worrying about handling technical legal paperwork or gathering evidence. Plane crash lawyers are trained to provide compassionate and targeted legal support to those whose loved ones were killed in deadly aerial collisions.
Leveraging Professional Training in Aviation Law
Aviation accident attorneys have extensive knowledge and professional training in regulations governing this nation’s airways and craft that travel in it. They can submit evidence preservation letters to these and other agencies to discover who knew what, when, and whether a breakdown in communication between the jet and the helicopter caused the collision. Aviation lawyers also understand the complex web of liability issues, regulatory hurdles, and compensation negotiation process to help ensure survivors receive fair settlements and justice.
Navigating Complex Legal Frameworks
Aviation attorneys understand the complex interplay between federal regulations—such as the Federal Tort Claims Act and rules issued by the FAA—and state laws. They also track changes in Federal Aviation Administration processes and regulations and the complexities of plane crash litigation. They can use this knowledge to craft compelling and well-researched legal arguments to help maximize the surviving family member’s chances of receiving a fair outcome.
Maximizing Compensation for Families
Plane accident attorneys can also use their extensive knowledge of liability and aviation laws to estimate a fair settlement arrangement for the surviving family member’s claim. The lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation into all expenses and losses—social, emotional, financial, property, and others—to craft an arrangement that expresses the impact of the passenger’s death on their family members. The legal team can then use their negotiation skills to guide the settlement discussions towards a resolution, keeping in mind that no amount of money can undo the anguish experienced by those who lost someone in the DC plane crash.
Access to Robust Legal Resources
Another benefit of working with an aviation attorney is having access to a network of robust legal resources. For example, the lawyer can work closely with industry experts—like those trained to investigate plane crashes—to determine the possible causes of the collision. Additionally, the attorney can analyze crash data, flight records, maintenance logs, and other records recovered from the helicopter and jet’s black boxes. These and other pieces of evidence can be used to shape a wrongful death case against any and all individuals and entities who are to blame for this devastating loss.
How King Law Will Handle Your DC Plane Crash Case
King Law is committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate legal support to surviving family members affected by the fatal Washington DC crash that claimed almost 70 lives on January 29, 2025. We respect and honor the range of emotions and challenges you may be experiencing at this time. We seek to forge a partnership with our clients that allows them to reclaim their agency while feeling supported by a legal team that can represent their best interests.
When you hire us, some of what you can expect includes:
- Free consultations
- No upfront attorney’s fees
- Personalized legal recommendations
- A diligent exploration of your potential recovery
- Vigorous legal representation
We also collaborate with a network of trained legal partners with extensive experience we can leverage to your advantage. We take pride in our focused and responsive pursuit of justice on behalf of our clients.
Contact Our DC Plane Crash Lawyers Today
Contact us today if your loved one was on American Eagle flight number 5342 and died in the collision between the American Airlines jet and the U.S. Army Black Hawk Helicopter. We can help you by offering a compassionate space to explore your personalized legal recommendations based on your unique situation. Reach out to our legal team to schedule a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options in the wake of your tremendous loss.
King Law Is Offering Free Case Reviews and Legal Consultations to the DC Plane Crash Victims’ Families
King Law offers free consultations to those who lost a loved one in the DC plane crash on January 29th. Call (585) 496-2648 to get in touch with one of our in-house intake specialists and attorneys.