Statistically, aviation accidents are rare but catastrophic, leaving you with severe injuries or the loss of loved ones. As your Yuba City aviation accident lawyer, Steve Gimblin Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer fights to get you the compensation you deserve.
Whether you’ve been hurt in a private plane crash near Yuba County Airport or a helicopter incident, our team tackles complex aviation laws to hold negligent parties accountable. With decades of experience and millions recovered for clients, we’re your trusted advocates in Yuba City, Chico, and Oroville.
Why Work With Steve Gimblin, Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer for Your Aviation Accident in Yuba City?
When a plane crash turns your life upside down, you need a lawyer who gets it. At Steve Gimblin Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer, we have the knowledge and track record to deliver meaningful results. Our firm has secured millions for injury victims across Yuba City, including those hurt in plane crashes or other accidents. We dig into every detail and get to the bottom of what caused your aircraft accident.
Our law firm also handles other types of accidents, including motor vehicle crashes. We handle car accidents in Yuba, Chico, and Oroville. Our broad experience and strong community ties enable us to provide compassionate service.
Worried about the cost of hiring a Yuba City aviation accident lawyer? Don’t be. We offer free consultations and use a contingency billing model. This means that you won’t pay anything up front, and you won’t owe us a dime unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
What Are Some Common Causes of Aviation Accidents Exactly?
Aviation accidents don’t just happen. They’re often the result of human mistakes, mechanical failures, or both. These risks are all too real in Yuba City, as private planes and helicopters frequently fill the skies. Here are some common causes of accidents in the aviation industry:
Pilot Error
Private and commercial pilots can make mistakes. The difference is that commercial pilots often have a copilot to help catch their errors and prevent catastrophe. Unfortunately, solo pilots may be more prone to catastrophic errors due to the lack of support they have. These errors can include:
- Fatigue
- Poor decisions
- Lack of training
Before you hop on a plane or helicopter, make sure your pilot has a track record of safe flights.
Design and Mechanical Failures
Faulty equipment or flawed designs can spell tragedy. There have been numerous reports of mechanical failures leading to crashes or rough landings.
Air Traffic Control Error
Air traffic controllers are known for being focused under pressure. But they aren’t perfect. Controllers can deliver wrong instructions or simply be overloaded with work. In either case, the results can be catastrophic.
Maintenance Error
Sloppy maintenance has been a source of front-page news in recent months. Skipped inspections or substandard repairs are a few examples of maintenance errors that can lead to injury or death.
Defective Runways
Smaller airports, like Yuba County, face runway hazards. Some examples include uneven surfaces caused by cracks or potholes. A lack of adequate signage can also be confusing for pilots and increase the risk of accidents.
Are Airplanes Safe?
Overall, airplanes are quite safe. However, accidents still happen. 2024 was one of the worst years for air safety in recent memory, and 2025 isn’t off to a great start. Since the beginning of 2025, there have been 50 U.S. aviation accidents, and at least 166 people have been killed as a result.
Airplane travel remains safer than automobile travel. Still, the uptick in safety incidents is a cause for concern, especially among frequent travelers.
Aviation accident attorneys play a key role in preventing future crashes by holding airlines accountable for the mistakes they make. When pilots and airlines cut corners, society pays the price. The good news is that you don’t have to let them take advantage of you in the aftermath of an accident. Our legal team is here to fight for what’s right and promote a safer aviation industry.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Aviation Accidents in California?
Aviation accidents involve multiple parties, and pinpointing who’s responsible is key to a successful claim. You may be able to hold the following parties accountable under aviation law:
- Pilots
- Manufacturers
- Maintenance crews
- Air traffic controllers
- Airport authorities
For example, a pilot who ignores weather warnings could be liable for an accident that they cause. Similarly, maintenance companies are responsible for errors like missing inspections or cutting corners when making repairs.
In many instances, multiple parties may share fault for an accident. That’s why you need an experienced airplane crash lawyer on your side. When you partner with our firm, we will thoroughly investigate your case and identify all at-fault parties. Our team will build a strong case for compensation and negotiate on your behalf.
Why Are Aviation Lawsuit Claims So Complex in the United States?
Aviation lawsuits are a legal maze due to overlapping regulations. Federal laws, like those from the FAA, govern air safety. However, California laws cover personal injury claims and dictate how long you have to file a suit. International treaties may also apply to some crashes, making the process even more complicated.
The other factor that makes aviation lawsuits difficult to litigate is the number of parties involved. In a typical car accident claim, the involved parties include the drivers and their insurance companies. On the other hand, an aviation incident can involve pilots, manufacturers, airlines, maintenance personnel, and others.
Therefore, our legal team focuses on gathering extensive evidence, like black box data and maintenance logs. Each piece of evidence helps reveal who is at fault and opens the door for fair compensation.
What Are Some Common Types of Aviation Accidents?
Aviation accidents can take many forms, such as:
Descent & Landing
Landing accidents are often due to pilot error or issues with the runway. For example, if a pilot misjudges their approach, they could cause a rough landing that injures passengers.
Taxi & Takeoff
These types of incidents happen when an aircraft is preparing to take flight. Some examples include:
- Collisions
- Engine failure
- Near misses that cause injuries
Any collision between two or more aircraft can be catastrophic.
Mechanical Problems
Mechanical mishaps have been a common factor in recent airline incidents. Helicopters and airplanes are extremely complex machines, and even a minor mechanical failure can be fatal. Aging parts that fail unexpectedly or faulty hydraulics are a few examples of mechanical issues that aircraft may encounter.
Flight Maneuvers
Individuals who execute unnecessarily risky maneuvers can cause accidents. Pushing a plane or helicopter past its limits may cause the engine to stall. Overcorrecting is another example of flight maneuvers that may be dangerous or even deadly.
Poor Fuel Management
Pilots are tasked with managing (and conserving) fuel during flights. Running out of fuel mid-flight is a preventable issue with deadly consequences. Sometimes, fuel-related issues aren’t on the pilot. For instance, undetected leaks could drain tanks faster than anticipated and force an abrupt landing.
Weather
Poor weather, such as fog, can impact visibility and increase the risk of an accident. Sudden gusts are also risky, as they can destabilize small planes or helicopters. While it is up to the pilot and/or charter service to check the weather ahead of your flight, you should also verify weather conditions before getting on a small non-commercial plane.
Types of Aircraft Involved Usually in California
Smaller aircraft tend to be more susceptible to accidents. Yuba City is also a hotspot for private aviators. With that in mind, the types of craft that are usually involved in accidents include the following:
Private Planes
Cessnas, Pipers, and other similarly sized planes are common in Yuba County. A crash due to pilot error or maintenance issues is one of the top concerns when dealing with privately owned craft.
Charter Flights
Charter flights offer better consistency and additional protections compared to private craft. However, many of these planes are on the smaller side. Additionally, you have to be concerned about issues such as the age of the plane and how attentive the company is in terms of maintenance.
Helicopters
Riding in a helicopter can be a fun and exciting experience. However, it can also be dangerous. Helicopters are quite complex and leave very little room for pilot error.
Small Commercial Aircraft
Commercial airlines rely on layers of redundant safety protocols to keep passengers and pilots safe. However, they are not immune to aviation accidents. Smaller commercial craft face some of the same challenges as charter vessels, such as smaller crews and less experienced pilots.
What to Do After an Aviation Accident
If you’ve been injured in an aviation accident, get medical treatment right away. Determining the extent of your injuries is a critical step toward receiving fair compensation.
While you await treatment, gather as much information as possible. Collect witness information, including names and phone numbers. You should also take photographs of the aircraft and the scene if possible.
Once you begin receiving treatment, save everything. Keep your medical records and any bills.
You should also retain any emails or correspondence you receive from the airline or its insurance company. Don’t sign or agree to any settlements without speaking to an attorney.
Once you understand your injuries, you can seek a legal team that is experienced in litigating claims involving similar medical conditions. For example, we handle cases related to a wide range of injuries, including spinal cord injuries.
Contact the Yuba City Aviation Accident Lawyers at Steve Gimblin Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
Choosing the right team to represent you is the first step toward fair compensation. From motor vehicle crashes and slip and falls to airline disasters, our legal team handles it all. Steve Gimblin Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer offers free case reviews and can help you identify the best path forward.
Don’t let at-fault parties or their insurance companies pressure you into accepting a low settlement. Talk to one of our attorneys and let us negotiate on your behalf.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation. We are here in your time of need!
Yuba City Aviation Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions that our Yuba City aviation accident lawyers receive from our clients:
What Compensation Can I Get for an Aviation Accident?
You may be eligible to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If a loved one was killed in an aviation accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for wrongful death and loss of companionship.
How Long Do I Have to File an Airplane Accident Claim in California?
You have up to two years from the date of the accident to file a claim, according to California’s statute of limitations. Don’t wait. Contact us as soon as possible so we can get to work on your claim.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an Aviation Accident?
Yes. Aviation cases are complex. They involve federal laws and multiple parties, including pilots, operators, maintenance personnel, and airport staff. An experienced plane crash lawyer from our firm will help you navigate this complex process and pursue fair compensation.
Can I Sue if I Was a Passenger in a Private Plane Crash?
Absolutely. You can hold pilots or other negligent parties accountable. Our aviation accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate your claim and identify the responsible parties.
