Aviation Accident Attorney

Aviation attorneys handle complex legal matters involving aircraft accidents. They work across state, federal and international jurisdictions and stay apprised of each jurisdiction's aviation laws. Their goal is to recover compensation for accident victims or their surviving family members. They are also involved in improving air safety. 

The work of an aviation accident attorney typically includes:

• Investigating the airplane accident: Aviation lawyers gather evidence and work with aviation experts to determine the potential causes of a plane crash. Causes may include mechanical failures, pilot errors, product liability or air traffic control mistakes.
• Determining liability: A party is liable if their negligent actions (or the actions of those for whom they are legally responsible) caused or contributed to an accident. An aviation attorney can determine whether a commercial airline, airplane manufacturer, aircraft maintenance provider, aircraft operator, or a government agency, like the FAA or NTSB, acted negligently.
• Navigating the regulatory framework: An aviation law attorney must stay informed about the regulatory framework, including new and evolving domestic and international laws and legal developments. Lawyers ensure compliance and strengthen regulations via strategic filings and legal actions.
• Securing compensation: Aviation accident lawyers seek personal injury or wrongful death compensation for airplane accident victims or surviving family members. This includes bystanders harmed on the ground, not just aircraft passengers. An aviation attorney can identify all of your healthcare expenses and other recoverable damages and fight to maximize your settlement. If your property on the ground was damaged by an aviation accident, we may also be able to help with an economic loss lawsuit. 

Navigating aviation regulations

Aviation attorneys must understand and navigate complex and evolving aviation laws and regulations. 

In the United States, aviation is governed by agencies like the FAA and NTSB. The FAA regulates air carriers and operators, flight and ground crews, pilots and commercial space transportation. Its oversight includes:

• An average of 45,000 daily flights
• Over 1 million registered drones
• Over 438,000 certified pilots
• Over 19,600 U.S. airports

FAA laws cover everything from general operation and flight rules to pilot certifications to hazardous materials.

The NTSB is an independent federal agency authorized by Congress to investigate every civil (non-military) aviation accident in the U.S. The NTSB also investigates other significant transportation events, like railroad and pipeline accidents. 

The NTSB determines probable cause and issues safety recommendations aimed at deterring future incidents. It also:

• Adjudicates appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA
• Conducts transportation research studies
• Offers assistance to accident victims and surviving family members (including answering questions and providing investigative updates)
• Serves as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation certificates issued by the FAA

A Motley Rice aviation accident attorney can conduct an independent accident investigation and obtain and review government investigations. A plane crash lawyer from our law firm can also review regulations and identify violations, which can support negligence-based claims.

Because aviation law is complicated, not just any attorney can handle this type of personal injury case. If you or someone you love suffered injuries or was killed in an airline accident, you should look for the following when selecting a lawyer:

• Aviation litigation experience: Aviation accident cases are highly specialized. You should look for an attorney who has aviation lawsuit experience and active and current aviation cases.
• Compassionate communication: Communicating openly and honestly with your lawyer is important. You need an attorney who makes you feel comfortable, is compassionate and projects confidence in their ability to handle your legal issue. Your attorney should also keep you informed and updated while offering practical support and services.
• National reach: Airplane accidents can involve multiple states or countries and state, federal and international aviation laws. National law firms like Motley Rice are able to litigate across jurisdictions.
• Resources and experts: To be effective, aviation attorneys must work with current and former FAA and NTSB officials, crash investigators, engineers and other experts. An experienced lawyer should have established relationships and resources they can call on when needed.
• Track record of results: You want a law firm with a proven aviation litigation record. Your legal team should have successful case outcomes against major commercial airlines, aircraft manufacturers and government entities. 

Motley Rice has extensive experience with aviation litigation. Our aviation lawsuit attorneys have handled cases involving: 

• Airline lawsuits: Airline lawsuits involve commercial air travel, including regional, domestic and international flights. Airline lawsuits also include air taxis, chartered flights and private, for-hire planes. Motley Rice commercial plane crash lawyers have represented the families of victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Air France Flight 447. Most recently, we have begun advocating for the survivors of Delta Airlines Flight 4819. This flight had a hard landing which caused the aircraft to roll over and crash at Toronto Pearson Airport.
• General aviation: General aviation (GA) includes nearly all flights that are not military flights or scheduled commercial flights. Cases of this type involve recreation and sport flights, balloons, agricultural airplanes, corporate flights, helicopters, medical evacuations and drones.
• Military aviation: Motley Rice has represented military members and their surviving families who have been injured or killed in military plane crashes. Cases have been litigated against the manufacturers and contractors of military aircraft after a crash.
• Air traffic control accidents: Motley Rice has advocated for victims injured or killed in accidents caused by the actions of the FAA Air Traffic Control.
• Aviation terrorism: Our law firm has represented victims and survivors of terrorist attacks on commercial airlines. Our aviation lawyers have secured settlements for 56 of the 96 families who opted out of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. We also investigated security failure claims related to the attack. Additionally, our attorneys negotiated a settlement for the family of Mark Bavis, who died aboard United Airlines Flight 175.

In addition, Motley Rice has litigated or is currently litigating several other aviation accident cases. Read more about our aviation case history. 

The Motley Rice aviation team includes an experienced group of attorneys with a focus on aviation law.

Mary F. Schiavo

Mary F. Schiavo is a CNN Analyst and former U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General with years of experience in transportation litigation. She advocates for accountability and change in the industry. She has represented victims in cases involving negligent airline, automotive, commercial trucking, motorcoach and rail companies. 

Contact Mary F. Schiavo.

James R. Brauchle

James R. Brauchle is a former U.S. Air Force navigator with years of flying experience and aviation industry knowledge. He played an essential role in representing the victims and families harmed by the Boeing MAX tragedies. He has also handled cases involving American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United Airlines, GE and Honeywell. In October 2025, he was appointed to Co-Lead Counsel in the federal multidistrict litigation proceeding against Delta and Endeavor airlines for the February 2025 Toronto Airport crash.

Contact James R. Brauchle. 

Olutola "Tola" Familoni

Tola Familoni advocates for airline disaster victims. He was instrumental in litigation involving the surviving families of soldiers killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash at Hunter Army Airfield. In October 2025, he was appointed to Plaintiffs' Executive Committee in the federal multidistrict litigation against Delta and Endeavor airlines for the February 2025 Toronto Airport crash. Tola has also worked on lawsuits involving Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder and represented the City of Chicago against e-cigarette maker JUUL.

Contact Tola Familoni.

Marlon E. Kimpson

Marlon E. Kimpson has over 20 years of legal experience in numerous areas of the law, including class action and multidistrict litigation (MDL), securities, toxic exposure, deceptive drug marketing and catastrophic injury. He has represented victims and families in cases involving commercial and charter aviation accidents with clients and defendants in multiple countries.

Contact Marlon E. Kimpson.

Donald A. Migliori

Donald A. Migliori's experience includes complex asbestos cases, historic tobacco litigation and September 11, 2001, terrorist attack lawsuits. He is a seasoned trial lawyer and negotiator who played a vital role in the discovery, mediations and settlements for more than 50 aviation liability cases. Migliori was a lead attorney for In re Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001, MDL #1570.

Contact Donald A. Migliori. 

Joseph F. Rice

Motley Rice co-founder Joseph F. Rice has been described by the Corporate Legal Times as one of the “five most feared and respected plaintiffs’ lawyers in corporate America.” He has served as the lead negotiator in some of the country’s most significant civil court actions of the last 30 years. Rice played an instrumental role in strategic mediations and/or resolutions for 56 families who opted out of the government-created September 11 Victim Compensation Fund.

Contact Joseph F. Rice. 

Elizabeth Smith

Elizabeth Smith has also represented families in the 9/11 terrorist attacks MDL, including advocating for numerous families at a Victim Compensation Fund hearing. She has also litigated aviation liability and consumer protection cases. She has managed research and discovery, client relations and trial preparation for various litigation teams.

Contact Elizabeth Smith. 

Motley Rice seeks justice for victims and families harmed by aviation disasters. We know the ins and outs of aviation law, how to navigate FAA and NTSB regulations and how to conduct aircraft accident investigations. We fight to get compensation for the injured or their loved ones. We also work for positive changes in the airline industry. 

Our aviation experience includes the following cases:

• Air France Flight 447
• American Airlines Flight 331
• Delta Air Lines Flight 4819
• Drone crash lawsuits
• Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302
• Hudson River mid-air collision
• Hunter Army Airfield Sikorsky MH-60M Black Hawk crash
• The four planes of 9/11

If you or someone you love was hurt in an aviation accident, contact Motley Rice online or call 1.843.585.8567 to discuss your legal options with an aviation attorney. We offer free consultations. 

Read more about our aviation litigation experience.