Zayed Law Offices is proud to serve Chicago and communities across Illinois with experienced, dedicated personal injury representation for victims of aviation accidents and their families. From incidents at O’Hare and Midway to small plane crashes near regional airports in DuPage, Rockford, and Peoria, our Illinois aviation accident lawyers help families understand what happened and hold the right parties accountable.

Aviation accidents are rare, but when they happen, the results are often catastrophic. These cases involve federal regulations, complex technical evidence, and powerful defendants such as airlines, charter operators, and aircraft manufacturers.

Injured in an aviation accident? Contact Zayed Law Offices for the representation you deserve — no fee unless we win.

What You Need to Know About Aviation Accidents in Illinois

Illinois is home to one of the world’s busiest airports, dozens of regional and private airfields, and a large network of medical and corporate flight operations. Zayed Law handles claims involving:

  • Commercial airline incidents, including severe turbulence injuries and emergency evacuations
  • Small private plane crashes involving general aviation aircraft
  • Charter and corporate jet accidents
  • Helicopter crashes, including medical transport, news, and tour helicopters
  • Airport injuries, such as jet bridge, baggage claim, and tarmac accidents

Where Illinois Aviation Accidents Happen

Illinois aviation traffic is concentrated around several major and regional airports. Many small plane accidents happen during takeoff and landing, in poor weather, or during training flights. Key locations include:

  • O’Hare International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world
  • Midway International Airport, surrounded by dense Southwest Side neighborhoods
  • Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling and DuPage Airport in West Chicago, both busy with private and corporate flights
  • Aurora Municipal Airport and Lewis University Airport in the western and southwestern suburbs
  • Chicago Rockford International, Peoria International, Central Illinois Regional in Bloomington-Normal, and Abraham Lincoln Capital in Springfield

Common Causes of Aviation Accidents

Every aviation case requires careful investigation. Common causes include:

  • Pilot error, such as navigation mistakes, poor decision-making, or flying into bad weather
  • Mechanical failure of engines, landing gear, or flight controls
  • Defective aircraft parts or design flaws
  • Improper maintenance or skipped inspections

How Federal and Illinois Law Affect Your Aviation Accident Claim

Aviation cases involve both federal and state law. Key rules include:

  • Federal safety rules. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates pilots, aircraft, maintenance, and airlines. Violations can be strong evidence of negligence.
  • NTSB investigations. The National Transportation Safety Board investigates civil aviation accidents, but federal law limits how its reports can be used in court. Your legal team must conduct its own investigation.
  • International flights. Injuries on international flights are often governed by the Montreal Convention, a treaty with special rules for airline liability.
  • Manufacturer protections. The federal General Aviation Revitalization Act generally bars claims against manufacturers of general aviation aircraft and parts more than 18 years old, with some exceptions.
  • Illinois deadlines. Most Illinois injury claims must be filed within two years under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Wrongful death claims have their own timing rules.
  • Claims against government. If a government-operated airport or federal air traffic controller is involved, special notice rules and shorter deadlines may apply.

Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, so a person 50% or less at fault can still recover. Because different laws may apply to the same crash, it is important to speak with an attorney quickly.

Common Challenges People Face After an Aviation Accident in Illinois

Aviation claims are among the most complex in personal injury law. Families pursuing them often face:

  • Complex technical evidence, including flight data, maintenance logs, and wreckage analysis
  • Multiple defendants, such as the pilot, operator, owner, maintenance company, and parts manufacturer
  • Out-of-state and foreign companies that are difficult to bring into court
  • Jurisdiction questions about whether the case belongs in state or federal court

Zayed Law works with aviation experts, former pilots, engineers, and accident reconstruction specialists. Together they build clear, persuasive cases.

A Realistic Illinois Scenario

A small single-engine plane loses power shortly after taking off from a suburban airport and crashes into a field. The pilot survives with severe injuries, and a passenger is killed.

The owner’s insurer blames pilot error. But an independent investigation finds that a maintenance shop installed a faulty fuel component during a recent inspection. That discovery opens claims against the maintenance company and possibly the parts manufacturer, which may carry far more insurance than the aircraft owner.

What to Do After an Aviation Accident

Your health and safety come first. When you are able, try to:

  1. Seek medical care right away and follow your treatment plan.
  2. Report the incident to the airline, operator, or airport, and ask for a copy of any report.
  3. Photograph injuries, the scene, and any visible damage if it is safe to do so.
  4. Save tickets, boarding passes, and communications with the airline or operator.
  5. Avoid giving recorded statements or signing releases before speaking with a lawyer.

How to Know When You Should Contact a Lawyer for an Aviation Accident

Call a lawyer as soon as you can, because wreckage, flight data, and maintenance records must be preserved quickly. An early review also helps sort out which federal and state deadlines apply. Zayed Law follows a clear process:

  1. Free consultation at an Illinois office, by phone, at your home, or in the hospital
  2. Independent investigation with aviation experts, alongside any NTSB and FAA review
  3. Evidence preservation, including maintenance records, flight data, and communications
  4. Identifying every responsible party, including companies outside Illinois
  5. Negotiation or trial in state or federal court

Get answers after an aviation tragedy — schedule your free, confidential case review with Zayed Law Offices today.

Why Families Trust Zayed Law Offices

Zayed Law Offices has recovered more than $150 million for injured clients across Illinois and Florida, and it takes complex cases in all 50 states on a pro hac vice basis. Past results do not guarantee a future outcome.

Families who lost a loved one can read how the firm’s Chicago wrongful death lawyers explain Illinois death claims. They can also learn about its catastrophic injury representation or contact the firm confidentially. The firm stands out for these reasons:

  • Attorney Adam Zayed leads a trial team recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Contingency fees, so you pay nothing unless the firm wins
  • 24/7 availability and Spanish-speaking staff

Frequently Asked Questions About Aviation Accidents in Illinois

Who is liable in a plane crash?

Liability may fall on the pilot, airline or operator, aircraft owner, maintenance provider, manufacturer, or in rare cases, air traffic control.

Can I sue an airline for turbulence injuries?

Possibly. If the crew ignored weather warnings or failed to secure the cabin, the airline may be responsible.

Talk to an Illinois Aviation Accident Lawyer Today

Injured victims across Illinois and Florida have trusted Zayed Law Offices when they needed a powerful advocate. Don’t wait — the statute of limitations could limit your right to recover. Call Zayed Law Offices at (312) 726-1616 today for your free consultation, available 24/7.