Fortunately, airplane crashes are extremely uncommon. But when an airplane crash occurs, serious injury or death often results. If you or someone you know has suffered loss as a result of a plane crash, make sure they speak to an experienced lawyer regarding their rights.

Litigation following a plane crash can be extremely complicated. Various local, state and federal agencies are called upon to investigate aircraft accidents, and each investigatory agency's report must be obtained and reviewed for possible leads. Local law enforcement may have taken statements from eyewitnesses, the National Transportation Safety Board conducts its own investigation with the assistance of airframe and powerplant manufacturers whose products were involved. The pilot's medical records, training records, and toxicology reports must be reviewed for evidence. Aircraft records, particulary maintenance records and airworthiness status, must be established. Liability insurance for air crash cases is an area of law fraught with pitfalls for the unwary.

Beyond the special considerations that apply to determining liability for an aircraft crash, your lawyer must gather compelling evidence to support a claim for money damages. Medical tesimony regarding the nature and extent of any physical injury, economic testimony to translate the physical hurt into money damages, testimony of friends and loved ones of the air crash victim to establish the extent of loss; all must be marshaled and prepared for presentation during negotiations for settlement and, ultimately, for trial.

Over the last 30 years, Gary Stoneking has represented many families who have lost loved ones in aircraft crashes, including flight training, charter, and helicopter crash cases. He has fought hard his clients, obtaining settlements of greater than $1 million for several families of aircrash victims, including victims of the 1985 Reno Air Disaster and the Arrow Air Crash at Gander, Newfoundland.

Gary is a 30 year private pilot with both single-engine land instrument and rotorcraft/helicopter ratings and remains an active pilot, using his Mooney 201 aircraft, the Millennium Mooney, to meet with clients throughout the upper Midwest.

Call the attorneys at Stoneking Law Ltd. to discuss your aircraft crash claim. We will fly to your local airport and meet with you personally with no obligation.