Many people fear flying because they are afraid their airplane might crash. However, based on the number of people injured during plane crashes as compared to the number of airline passengers each year, air travel is one of the safest forms of travel. Statistically speaking, automobile crash fatalities are more likely than airplane accident fatalities.
However, the limited number of airline crashes and relatively limited number of fatalities from air travel does not mean that no personal injuries occur during air travel. In fact, it is estimated that over 4,000 passengers per year are injured during flights.
Even though in-flight injuries do not seem to make the news, they are very real injuries. In-flight accidents can cause serious injuries including spinal cord injuries, head trauma, and shoulder injuries. Accidents that occur on an airplane can sometime lead to personal injury lawsuits.
One of the main causes of in-flight injuries is the result of baggage falling from overhead bins. Many flight attendants warn of the possibility of shifted luggage in the overhead bins and urge passengers to use caution when opening the bins. Unfortunately, these announcements are typically made at the end of the flight, but many people open the bins during the flight. Also, improperly latched or designed bins could open on their own during flight. In either situation, luggage can fall from the overhead storage bins and land on passengers seated in the aisle seat, causing serious harm.
Another frequent in-flight accident can also affect those sitting in the aisle seat. These accidents involve getting struck by the rolling carts used to serve food and drinks throughout the cabin. These carts tend to fill the entire aisle and can easily strike aisle-seat passengers in the shoulder or elbow, causing personal injury.
Other possible in-flight accidents include:
• Injuries from lose items during a rough landing or turbulence.
• Bodily harm from being thrown through cabin during turbulence.
• Slips or falls from unclear aisles or unsafe conditions boarding aircraft.
• Burns from in-flight fires.
As mentioned above, a safe landing does not necessarily mean an overall safe flight. If you or a loved one suffered an injury from an in-flight accident, you should contact a personal injury attorney skilled in aviation accidents.
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