Aviation Accident Lawyers in Salt Lake City, UT

Trial-Ready Preparation for Air Craft Accident Claims

At Cutt, Kendell & Olson, aviation accidents are an active part of our docket, and we've obtained significant recoveries in aviation accident cases that include:

• $2,500,000 recovered for an aircraft accident
• $1,750,000 recovered for an airplane crash

To ensure that the clients we take on get direct access to senior attorneys and all of our legal resources, we deliberately limit our caseload to cases we are confident we can secure meaningful results for. We represent survivors of catastrophic aviation accidents, including but not limited to: 

• Commercial airline crashes and in-flight incidents
• Private and general aviation plane crashes
• Charter flight accidents
• Helicopter crashes
• Accidents during takeoff, landing, or in-flight emergencies

How We Approach Aviation Accident Cases 

Insurance carriers and corporate defense teams move fast after a crash. The Cutt, Kendell & Olson model is built to match this. We act quickly to uncover meaningful evidence and fund the development of technical proof to support the claim, utilizing methods that include accident reconstruction, aircraft records analysis, and maintenance history review. 

In our pursuit to obtain the full and fair compensation owed to you and your family, we'll consider every angle and look at every potential party that could be responsible, including but not limited to: 

• Pilot error
• Mechanical failure
• Defective components
• Inadequate maintenance
• Improper flight operations
• Air traffic control negligence 

In Utah, terrain, weather conditions, and regional air traffic patterns in the Mountain West can add complexity to accident investigations.

Damages in Utah Aviation Accident Claims

Survivors of serious aviation accidents and the families of those killed may pursue a range of economic and non-economic damages. 

• Economic damages typically include medical expenses, future treatment and rehabilitation costs, lost income, and lost earning capacity. 
• Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, PTSD, and permanent disability, are also recoverable under Utah law and can represent a substantial portion of total value in catastrophic injury cases.

Wrongful death claims brought by surviving family members may seek compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. 

The full value of a claim depends on the severity and permanence of the injuries, the number of liable parties, and the strength of the evidence connecting each defendant to the harm caused.

Representation Through Every Stage of the Legal Process After an Aviation Accident

Federal Investigations & Civil Liability

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates civil aviation accidents in the United States, with the scope of each investigation depending on the circumstances of the crash. The agency issues factual findings and determines the probable cause of investigated accidents.  

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) establishes and enforces safety regulations governing pilots, aircraft operations, aircraft certification, maintenance, and many aspects of aircraft manufacturing. 

Neither agency’s findings determine civil liability, but both investigations produce evidence that matters to the civil case.

Preserving Evidence After a Crash

Critical evidence (flight data recorders, maintenance records, cockpit voice recorder transcripts or recordings, and aircraft components) should be preserved whenever possible. Early legal action may help ensure relevant evidence is identified and protected. 

Filing Deadlines & Procedural Complexity

In Utah, personal injury claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations; however, the applicable deadline can vary depending on the nature of the claim and the governing statute. Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years from the date of death, under Utah Code 78B-2-304, though limited exceptions may apply. 

Contact Cutt, Kendell & Olson

If you’ve lost a family member or personally sustained injury in an aviation accident, you need representation that can match the resources on the other side and build a case that holds up at trial. 

At Cutt, Kendell & Olson, we offer a free consultation and charge no fees unless we recover compensation for you. Filing deadlines in Utah are strict, and acting earlier can help us preserve critical evidence and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.