Many Los Angeles residents are aware of the dangers of texting while driving, but who ever heard of texting while flying? After a 2011 helicopter crash, three passengers and a pilot all lost their lives in an incident that may have been entirely preventable. The aviation accident was believed to have been caused by distracted flying.
That’s right, texting and driving is as lethal in the skies as it is on the road. The accident happened when an air ambulance helicopter had taken off from a hospital with three passengers, including a patient. After cell phone records were obtained, they showed the pilot had sent at least 20 texts before and during the flight. Investigators believe that texting while flying was the main reason for the crash. The pilot became distracted and failed to notice a shortage of fuel. Roughly one mile outside the intended airport landing spot, the helicopter ran out of fuel, causing it to crash into the earth and take the lives of everyone aboard. Just like driving, texting and other distractions can cause serious injuries or death in all sorts of commercial vehicles. Often a distracted driver is considered a negligent driver in the eyes of the law. Typically, most drivers guilty of negligence are found responsible for the injuries or death they cause to other drivers. For example, if an individual is texting while driving and fails to see a pedestrian crossing the street and they hit that person, the driver would likely be liable for the pedestrian’s resulting injuries. Whether causing an aviation accident or a motor vehicle crash, distracted driving is a major problem, especially in a transportation hub like Los Angeles. Area residents injured by a distracted driver may receive compensation for their injuries, however. A local attorney can provide the answers and advice to anyone suffering from these modern-day dangers. Source: The Daily Progress, “Texting implicated in helicopter crash,” April 22, 2013
