On October 23, 2019, a helicopter crashed near the visitor’s center of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Visitor Center in Clark County, Nevada.
The helicopter had two people on board at the time of the crash, the pilot and a male passenger. Both helicopter crash victims were transported to UMC once medical emergency crews arrived. Sadly, within twelve hours of the helicopter crash occurring, the pilot succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the trauma center, while the passenger remained hospitalized with critical injuries.
At Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen, our helicopter crash attorneys provide the legal experience injury victims need to hold the negligent party responsible for their financial recovery. We also deliver the compassion and confidence family members need to pursue a successful lawsuit against the negligent party who caused a helicopter crash that took the life of their loved one.
No matter your circumstances, or those in the helicopter crash in Red Rock Canyon, proving negligence after these crashes requires extensive legal knowledge and experience, and our Red Rock Canyon helicopter crash lawyers have a proven track record of delivering success using both.
Why Do Las Vegas Helicopter Crashes Occur?
The Nevada High Patrol Southern Command responded to the helicopter crash that occurred at SR 159 near the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center, where witnesses described the helicopter crashing approximately 20 feet from the road.
Directly after the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration could only confirm the type of helicopter, and that it “crashed under unknown circumstances.”
A thorough investigation will take place to determine why the helicopter crashed, which will take time, leaving bystanders wondering how these crashes happen at all.
In Las Vegas and throughout Nevada, helicopter tours are commonplace, giving visitors and locals alike the opportunity to view the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip from on high. Other popular helicopter attractions include tours over the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River, the Hoover Dam, and Red Rock.
One Las Vegas-based helicopter tour company flies more than 250,000 guests annually, and with over a dozen additional companies providing the same tours, the sheer volume of air traffic over the city can lead to dangerous circumstances for pilots and passengers alike.
The most common causes of helicopter crashes can include:
- Pilot error or inexperience
- Pilots who are improperly trained to operate the helicopter model they are controlling
- Failure to conduct preflight safety checks
- Misuse of instruments or equipment
- Miscalculating speed and trajectory
- Mechanical malfunctions or defective parts
- Electrical failures
- Inefficient maintenance or repairs
- Miscommunication or incorrect information from air traffic control
- Lack of fuel
- On-ground hazards
- FAA violations
The FAA recorded 106 helicopter crashes throughout the U.S. in 2016, the most recent year statistics are available, and the causes of these crashes take time to determine. That is why it is important to speak to an experienced helicopter crash lawyer in Red Rock Canyon right away if you are involved in a crash.
At Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen, our helicopter crash attorneys will protect your rights throughout our financial recovery pursuit, so you are not intimidated by the negligent party’s insurance representatives, attorneys, or federal investigators. Instead, each party will speak directly to our helicopter crash attorneys, and only to you when we are there to advise and protect you.
What Are the Most Common Types of Las Vegas Helicopter Crash Injuries?
Helicopter crashes occur under unique circumstances, and when an emergency landing occurs, severe injuries often result. When in-flight emergencies occur, grounding the helicopter safely may not be an option, and often ends in catastrophic injuries or even death.
Because a helicopter crash can lead to severe damage to the aircraft, the people who are inside are vulnerable to critical injuries when impact occurs.
When the pilot and passengers can be treated, the helicopter injury reports include some of the most severe outcomes, including:
- Amputations
- Back and neck injuries
- Bone fractures, most commonly to the ribs, skull, and face
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Paralysis
- Severe burns
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Wrongful death
Who Can Be Held Liable for Las Vegas Helicopter Crashes?
Multiple parties can be held accountable for injuries and wrongful deaths occurring in helicopter crashes, and our Red Rock Canyon helicopter crash lawyers have the experience and resources necessary to hold the negligent party legally responsible for your financial recovery.
Parties who can be held responsible for helicopter crashes in Las Vegas include the:
- Air traffic controllers
- Helicopter maintenance personnel
- Helicopter tour operators
- Manufacturer and distributors of component parts
- Owner of the helicopter
- Pilot
More than one party may be responsible for your helicopter crash, and our accomplished Red Rock Canyon helicopter crash lawyers will outline each defendant we plan to hold responsible for your recovery in our lawsuit to maximize your financial recovery.
Contact Our Successful Helicopter Crash Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
If you have been hurt in a helicopter crash, or have tragically lost a loved one who was on board the aircraft at the time of the crash, contact our experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen today to schedule a free consultation.