Irvine Hot Air Balloon Accidents Lawyers

Residents of Irvine are very familiar with seeing the iconic orange balloon floating above Orange County Great Park. While this balloon floats using helium, hot air balloons are another common sight in the city. Taking a hot air balloon ride is an unforgettable experience and while these modes of transportation are fairly safe, accidents do happen. When they do, people become seriously injured, and tragically,  fatalities are not uncommon. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one, our Irvine hot air balloon accident lawyer can advise you of your legal options.

What Causes an Irvine Hot Air Balloon Accident?

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the majority of fatalities due to hot air balloon accidents occur after a balloon makes contact midair with a power line. Fatalities also sometimes occur when a balloon crashes in order to avoid a collision with power lines or with another balloon. Other common causes of hot air balloon accidents in Irvine are as follows:

• Collapsed balloons
• Pilot negligence
• Poor weather conditions
• Excessive landing speed

Determining Liability After a Hot Air Balloon Accident

In most cases, hot air balloon accidents in Irvine are the result of negligence. When operators or companies that own hot air balloons are careless, people can become seriously injured. Intoxicated, distracted, and inexperienced pilots can make careless or reckless maneuvers that place everyone in the hot air balloon at risk. Even when poor weather conditions cause a hot air balloon accident, this too can indicate pilot negligence. Pilots are required to assess weather conditions prior to any ride and keep the balloon grounded if conditions are not ideal.

The companies that provide hot air balloon tours also have a responsibility to ensure that everyone on board is kept safe. These companies must fully inspect the balloons and all components and perform maintenance when necessary. Hot air balloon companies should also have policies in place regarding briefing passengers on safety practices to reduce the chance of injury or death.

Manufacturers of hot air balloons can also be held liable in some cases. All manufacturers in Irvine and throughout California are responsible for ensuring their products are safe for consumers to use. When manufacturers fail to meet this duty to customers and produce defective equipment or use faulty parts, they can also be held liable for any accident that results.

Many hot air balloon companies require passengers to sign a waiver before they board. These waivers are meant to shield hot air balloon companies from liability, but they are not always legal. An Irvine hot air balloon accident lawyer can review any waiver and determine how to hold the appropriate party liable.

Get Sound Legal Advice from Our Hot Air Balloon Accident Lawyer in Irvine

If you have been hurt during a hot air balloon ride, or have lost a loved one, our Irvine hot air balloon accident lawyer can help. At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, our skilled attorneys will review the facts of your case and provide the sound advice you need during this difficult time. Call us today at 213-985-1120 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.