Commercial Airliner Crashes into New York City’s Hudson River

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – A US Airways flight crashed into New York City’s Hudson River today, shortly after takeoff. US Airways Flight 1549, an Airbus A320 capable of carrying 179 passengers, took off from New York City’s LaGuardia Airport and was headed to Charlotte, North Carolina. Preliminary information from the FAA indicates that a bird or flock of birds was sucked into the jet engine shortly after takeoff causing one of the aircraft’s engines to fail.

Passengers reported feeling the airplane shake and the smell of smoke and fire throughout the aircraft’s cabin. The captain first tried to return the aircraft to the airport, but was instead forced to bring the plane down into the frigid waters of the Hudson River where area temperatures were recorded to be well below 20 degrees at the time of the incident. Preliminary reports indicate that everyone was able to get out of the aircraft safely. The extent of passenger injuries, however, has yet to be determined.

While no deaths were reported in today’s airplane crash, such is usually not the case.  More often the case, there are serious injuries and deaths following an airplane crash, especially with commercial airplane crash incidents.

The aftermath of an aviation accident is a very confusing and stressful time for victims and their family members. Many federal and local agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will conduct investigations of the accident. To further complicate matters, insurance companies may get involved and also conduct their own independent investigations. It is therefore important for victims and family members to attain effective legal assistance so they can get the help they need to wade through the process in an effort to obtain the damages to which they are rightfully entitled. The attorneys at Berman & Riedel, LLP, have handle aviation cases.  If you or a loved one have suffered a personal injury or death through an airplane crash incident or other commercial transportation incident, you can contact an attorney with Berman & Riedel, LLP, by calling (858) 350-8855.

This feature was written by Harlan J. Zaback.  Mr. Zaback is a Law Clerk/Clinical Student Intern with the firm Berman & Riedel, LLP, a personal injury firm that focuses its practice in handling catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death matters throughout the State of California, including matters arising from commercial aviation accidents. Mr. Zaback is currently in his final year at California Western School of Law and is expected to graduate and receive his J.D. in May of 2009.  
  

About Berman & Riedel, LLP firm managing partner attorney William M. Berman:

Attorney William M. Berman focuses his practice in the areas of catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death and elder abuse and neglect. Strictly a plaintiffs’ dedicated firm, he never represents insurance companies in the defense of claims. Mr. Berman’s firm remains staunchly committed to helping those who have suffered serious injury or loss due the negligence, intentional misconduct or wrongful acts of others.

Mr. Berman has grown his firm to what is considered one of the largest and most successful elder abuse/neglect practices within California. Through his continued successes in handling claims involving nursing home and elder abuse and neglect, Mr. Berman remains a prominent figure in advocating on behalf of this vulnerable class of citizens.

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Attorney Bill Berman

William M. Berman, Esquire
Berman & Riedel, LLP
12264 El Camino Real, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92130
ph: (858) 350-8855
fax: (858) 350-9855
email:
web: www.bermanlawyers.com