Drones have become quite sophisticated pieces of technology, and many people enjoy using them recreationally. Some drones can be very large and heavy, and they might cause serious injuries if the operator is negligent. If you are hurt because of a drone, an attorney can help you file a lawsuit against those responsible.
If you are injured because of a drone, you may sue the person who owns it and was operating it when you were hurt. Often, drones are operated remotely from a great distance, and the owner might be far away. To identify them, we should be able to look up the drone under the Federal Aviation Administration registry. Be sure to photograph the drone or hold on to it if the owner does not come forward. We likely need it as evidence.
For a free, private case evaluation, call our Chicago personal injury attorneys at the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502.
Suing for Injuries Caused by a Drone
We often hear about drones being used by the military or law enforcement, but smaller drones are available to the public. Many people fly drones for recreational purposes or to take aerial photographs. However, people can get hurt if drones are not operated correctly.
If a drone in Chicago injured you, you may sue the person who owns it or was operating it when you got hurt. Generally, people in this situation may file a personal injury claim for damages, although your attorney might also help you explore insurance options if any exist.
If you want to sue for injuries from a drone accident, you have a limited time in which to do so. Our Oak Park, IL personal injury lawyers must help you file your case within 2 years of your injuries, according to the statute of limitations under 735 I.L.C.S. § 5/13-202.
Who You May Sue for Injuries Caused by a Drone in Chicago
After an injury caused by a drone, you may be unsure who to hold responsible. Drones may be operated remotely, and the owner could be miles away. Even so, that does not mean they cannot be held liable.
In many cases, the person who owns the drone is the same one who operates it when the accident happens. Drones tend to be expensive. If you hold on to the drone long enough, the owner may come looking for it and reveal themselves.
If the operator of the drone is not the person who owns it, you might be able to sue them both. The operator might have been negligent, causing the drone to crash and injure you. Meanwhile, the drone’s owner might be responsible for allowing the other person to operate the drone.
You might also consider filing a case against third parties, like the drone’s manufacturer. If the drone injured you because it was defective, the manufacturer may be responsible.
What to Do if a Drone Injures You
While some drones are small and may not cause severe injuries, others are quite large. Some are as big as small cars. If you are injured, your first step should be to call for emergency help. Serious injuries might require an ambulance, and you should call the police so they can help you track down the drone’s owner.
While waiting for help to arrive, try to photograph the drone and the surrounding area. If the drone owner approaches you, exchange information with them so we know who they are. If the owner takes the drone, we may still have the photos to use as evidence.
Have someone wait with the drone if possible until the police arrive to investigate. If the drone was defective, it may need to be inspected. If your injuries are severe, the police might seize the drone as evidence.
Should I Keep a Drone That Injures Me in Chicago?
A big question you might have to consider is what to do with the drone. If the owner comes looking for it, we might not be able to stop them from taking it, and we could lose potentially important evidence.
If nobody comes forward to claim the drone, you should probably keep it as evidence. Avoid doing anything to modify the drone. If it is broken, do not fix it. It should be inspected as evidence.
If the owner comes forward to claim the drone, you may have to return it. However, you should take photos of the drone so that the photos can be examined if the owner refuses to cooperate or have the drone inspected.
If the owner takes the drone and destroys it, let your attorney know. They might face consequences for destroying important evidence.
How to Determine Who Owns a Drone After an Accident
In many cases, drones fall out of the sky, cause accidents, and the owner is nowhere to be found. If the owner does not come looking for the drone, we may still be able to track them down ourselves.
Since drones often occupy federal airspace and are considered aircraft, they may need to be federally registered. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that all drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds must be registered.
If we can look up the drone in the registry, we might locate the owner. This may not only help us find the owner, but it may also be evidence of ownership if the owner tries to claim the drone is not theirs.
Common Ways People Are Injured by Drones in Chicago
Drone accidents might happen in multiple ways, and your attorney should help you figure out who is responsible.
Many accidents happen when drones fall out of the sky due to operator negligence or manufacturing defects. A large drone crashing down on you might cause severe injuries, and your damages might be significant.
Drone injuries can instead occur when a drone initially takes off. Perhaps you were nearby when the drone took off and got hurt when it malfunctioned. Alternatively, the drone’s propellers might have kicked up debris and injured you.
A somewhat common drone accident involves lacerations from high-speed propellers. Maybe you were trying to fix the drone when someone else activated it without warning you. In that case, you might sue them for damages.
Contact Our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers if You Were Hurt by a Drone
For a free, private case evaluation, call our Evanston, IL personal injury attorneys at the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502.
Related Posts