What Victims and Families Should Know After the Amazon Plane Crash in Miami
The recent Amazon cargo plane crash near Miami International Airport was a devastating event that affected people on the ground, not just those aboard the aircraft.
Five people were killed after the cargo plane overran the runway and struck vehicles, and several others were injured. Federal investigators are still working to determine exactly what caused the crash.
For injured victims and families, the immediate aftermath of a serious accident like this can be overwhelming. Medical treatment, insurance questions, lost income, funeral expenses, and uncertainty about what happened can all become concerns at the same time.
Although SteinLaw does not handle aviation claims, accidents of this scale are an important reminder of the steps people should take after suffering a serious injury or losing a loved one because of someone else’s possible negligence.
What Should You Do After a Serious Accident?
Your health and safety should come first after any major accident. Once the immediate danger has passed, there are several steps that may help protect you and your family.
Seek Medical Attention
If you were injured, get medical treatment as soon as possible.
Even if your injuries seem minor at first, symptoms can become worse over time. Head injuries, back injuries, internal injuries, and other conditions may not always be obvious immediately after a traumatic event.
Medical treatment also creates documentation of your injuries and the care you received.
Follow Emergency Instructions
After a major accident, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other officials may restrict access to certain areas.
Follow their instructions and avoid entering unsafe or restricted locations. Your safety is more important than trying to gather evidence at the scene.
Report What Happened
Depending on the accident, there may be police reports, incident reports, crash reports, or other official records.
If you were involved or injured, make sure the incident is properly reported. These records may later help establish when and how the accident occurred.
Take Photos or Videos
If it is safe to do so, take photographs or videos of:
- Your injuries
- Damage to vehicles or other property
- The accident scene
- Roadway or property conditions
- Debris or hazards
- Anything else that may help explain what happened
Photos and videos can become important because accident scenes can change quickly.
Get Witness Information
If someone saw what happened, try to get their name and contact information.
Witnesses may be able to provide important information about the events leading up to an accident.
Save Your Records
Keep copies of documents related to the accident and your injuries.
These may include:
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Prescription receipts
- Police or incident reports
- Repair estimates
- Insurance correspondence
- Proof of missed work
- Travel expenses related to medical care
- Photographs and videos
Keeping these records together can make it easier to understand the financial effect the accident has had on you and your family.
What If a Loved One Was Killed?
Families who lose someone in a sudden accident may face both emotional and financial hardship.
In addition to grieving, families may have questions about funeral expenses, medical bills, lost household income, insurance, and whether someone may be legally responsible for the death.
A wrongful death claim is a legal claim that may arise when a person’s death was caused by another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct. Depending on the facts, certain surviving family members may be able to pursue compensation for losses connected to the death.
Every wrongful death case is different, and the available options depend on how the accident occurred and who may have been responsible.
Why Is Preserving Evidence So Important?
After a serious accident, evidence can disappear quickly.
Vehicles may be repaired or removed. Surveillance footage may be deleted. Property conditions can change. Witnesses may become harder to locate. That is why preserving information early can be important.
Evidence in a serious injury case may include:
- Photos and videos
- Surveillance footage
- Vehicle data
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Maintenance records
- Inspection records
- Police reports
- Employment and wage information
An investigation may help determine whether negligence played a role and which parties may be responsible.
Who Could Be Responsible After a Serious Accident?
Liability depends on the facts of each accident.
In a serious transportation or property-related accident, responsibility could potentially involve more than one person or company.
Possible responsible parties may include:
- Drivers
- Vehicle owners
- Employers
- Property owners
- Maintenance companies
- Contractors
- Equipment manufacturers
- Businesses responsible for unsafe conditions
- Other parties whose negligence contributed to the accident
Negligence generally means that someone failed to use reasonable care and that failure caused another person to suffer harm.
An attorney can investigate the circumstances and help determine whether another party’s negligence may have contributed to the injuries or death.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Serious Injury?
If negligence caused your injuries, you may be able to pursue compensation for the losses you experienced.
Depending on the case, compensation may include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Rehabilitation or therapy expenses
- Property damage
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Certain wrongful death losses
The compensation available depends on the facts of the case, the severity of the injuries, and the applicable law.
Why Major Accident Investigations Matter
The exact cause of the Miami Amazon plane crash is still under investigation.
After any major accident, determining what happened may require reviewing physical evidence, witness statements, maintenance records, video footage, safety procedures, and other information.
These investigations can help answer important questions about whether an accident could have been prevented and whether negligence played a role.
For injured victims and families, understanding the cause of an accident may also be an important part of understanding their legal options.
Speak With SteinLaw After a Serious Injury
SteinLaw extends its condolences to the families affected by the Miami Amazon plane crash and wishes those who were injured a full recovery.
SteinLaw does not handle aviation accident claims. However, our firm represents people and families injured in many other types of accidents involving negligence, unsafe property conditions, motor vehicle crashes, negligent security, premises liability, and wrongful death.
If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury because of another person’s or company’s negligence, SteinLaw may be able to help you understand your options and pursue compensation for your losses.
Contact SteinLaw today for a free case evaluation. We do not get paid unless we recover compensation for you.
