San Diego
Aviation Accident
Attorney
Being involved in a plane or helicopter crash—whether in the air, on approach, or on the ground—is life-changing. Survivors and families are often left with devastating injuries, complex investigations, and more questions than answers about what went wrong. Hulburt Law Firm represents individuals and families in serious aviation injury and wrongful death cases arising from crashes in and around San Diego, including incidents involving private planes, charter flights, helicopters, and commercial aircraft.
Our Approach
Throughout your aviation case, we keep you informed, answer your questions, and explain each step of the process in clear terms. Because we limit the number of catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters we accept, we’re able to dig deeply into each crash—reviewing flight records, maintenance logs, black-box data, air traffic control communications, NTSB reports, and corporate safety policies.
Aviation cases often involve multiple layers of responsibility, from pilots and operators to manufacturers, maintenance providers, and in some situations government entities. We coordinate with aviation experts and work alongside, but independent from, government investigations so that your family’s interests are protected. With Hulburt Law Firm handling the investigation, evidence, and negotiations, you can focus on your recovery and your family.
If you or a loved one has been harmed in an airplane, helicopter, or other aviation accident connected to San Diego, we invite you to contact us for a free case review.
Navigate the Law
Understand and manage the complexities of your case with an expert legal team on your side.
Gather Crucial Evidence
Our legal team collects crucial evidence to present a compelling case.
Negotiate Settlements
We handle negotiations with insurance companies and opposing parties in order to achieve the highest settlements possible.
Representation in Court
Our experienced attorneys provide skilled representation if your case goes to trial.
Case Results
Our attorneys have a proven track record of achieving extraordinary results.
A defective airplane engine ignition component caused a deadly crash in San Diego.
A sudden tire failure caused an SUV to fishtail and crash into a tree on the side of a San Diego County highway, killing a beloved husband and father.
Jury verdict against Caltrans for a 13-year-old boy who was hit by a car while using a dangerous crosswalk.
The Harm
A small airplane carrying a flight instructor and student went down in a Santee neighborhood. The aircraft clipped two homes before crashing into a driveway at the end of a cul-de-sac, killing both men on board. The crash left the flight student’s family without a father, partner, and future provider.
The Truth
Maintenance records, component data, and expert evaluations of the wreckage revealed that the engine failed in flight due to a defect in the aircraft’s magnetos—a critical part of the ignition system—rather than simple pilot error. Despite the manufacturer’s effort to shift blame to the pilots, attorney Conor Hulburt worked to demonstrate that magneto failure caused the engine to quit and led directly to the fatal crash.
Justice
The case resolved for a confidential amount that will help support the student’s surviving family and provide resources for their future. While no outcome can replace the life that was lost, holding the manufacturer accountable helped bring answers and financial stability to those left behind.
If you’ve lost a loved one or been seriously injured in an aviation accident, you don’t have to navigate the investigation and insurance issues alone. Request a free aviation case review to talk with a San Diego attorney about what happened and your legal options.
How It Works
Free Case Review
During your free case review, we listen to your story, collect preliminary information, and provide an honest evaluation of your case’s strengths and potential challenges.
Detailed Investigation
Once the scope of work is signed, our team gets to work conducting a thorough investigation to build a strong foundation for your case examining the accident scene, analyzing flight records and maintenance logs, reviewing air traffic control recordings and radar data, and interviewing witnesses. We coordinate with government investigations (NTSB, FAA) while conducting our own independent investigation focused on your interests.
Expert Collaboration
To strengthen your case, our firm collaborates with experts, including accident reconstructionists, aviation experts, medical professionals, and economists in order to recreate the accident scenario, provide detailed assessments of your injuries and necessary treatments, and calculate the full extent of your financial losses.
Comprehensive Legal Strategy
Based on our investigation and expert collaboration, we develop a tailored legal strategy involving identifying all liable parties—such as pilots, operators, owners, maintenance providers, manufacturers, and, in some cases, government entities—determining which state and federal laws and treaties may apply, and mapping out the best forum and strategy for your case.
Settlement Negotiation
Our goal is to ensure you receive full and fair compensation for all your losses. We thoroughly assess the damages you have suffered, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and loss of consortium (compensation for the impact of your injuries on your relationship with your spouse or family).
Litigation & Trial Representation
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we take your case to court. Our trial attorneys have extensive courtroom experience and are skilled at telling your story, presenting evidence and expert testimony, cross-examining witnesses, and making compelling arguments to the judge and jury.
California Aviation Accident Law: Investigations, Liability & Deadlines
Aviation accidents are governed by a mix of federal aviation rules, NTSB investigations, and state personal injury and wrongful death law. Crashes often involve multiple entities—pilots, operators, maintenance providers, manufacturers, and sometimes government agencies—and overlapping insurance coverage. The summary below is general information only and isn’t legal advice for any particular case.
Who Investigates and Regulates Aviation Accidents?
Common Types of Aviation Cases in California
Common Causes of Aviation Accidents
Who Can Be Liable in an Aviation Accident?
What Compensation Is Available After an Aviation Accident?
Deadlines to File an Aviation Accident Claim in California
The Hulburt Law Difference
In-Depth Investigations
Forget surface-level research and mediocre inquiries. We dive deep to conduct extensive investigations and gather evidence in order to build your strongest case.
Tech-Forward Approach
We use technology to your advantage. By using video and photography, scene recreations, and graphics, we tell your story in a visually-compelling way that other law firms cannot match.
Maximum Compensation
Defense attorneys and insurance companies know us and respect us. We assess the full extent of your damages and pursue all responsible parties in order to maximize the compensation you deserve.
The Right Experience
Catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases are rarely simple. We have taken on the largest corporations, insurance companies, and defense firms in the country and won.
Genuine Care
We understand how important it is to have a compassionate and considerate lawyer. From providing regular case updates to ensuring clients are adequately prepared for each step of the case, we continually demonstrate our care for all of our clients.
Aviation Accident
FAQs
What should I do after an aviation accident or in-flight incident?
Who can be held liable for an aviation accident?
What evidence is important in an aviation accident case?
How does an NTSB investigation affect my aviation accident case?
What if a loved one was killed in an aviation accident?
What if the aircraft was operated by a government or military entity?
What types of compensation can I seek after an aviation accident?
How long do I have to file an aviation accident lawsuit in California?
What should I expect during the legal process in an aviation accident case?
Do I need an aviation accident attorney, and how are fees handled?
Request a Free Case Review
Simply fill out the form or call 619.821.0500 to receive a free case review. We’ll evaluate what happened, your injuries, and potential defendants to determine how we can best help you.
The Hulburt Law Firm specializes in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases in San Diego, California.
