Founder and Managing Partner
Hurt in an accident at LAX?
Date modified: December 21, 2023
Congratulations on discovering the Ultimate Guide for LAX Airport Accident Law.
Why choose J&Y Law
Founded by attorneys Jason B. Javaheri and Yosi Yahoudai,together combined, have over 50 years of personal injury experience and have helped secure their clients over 100 million dollars. Your best interest is always J&Y’s main priority. Our mission is to provide injury victims with a voice and fight to obtain just compensation for their pain and suffering. Unlike many law firms that only dabble in personal injury, this is our exclusive focus. We are dedicated to helping accident victims and those who have been injured by ensuring their rights are protected. We have extensive experience pursuing claims and lawsuits for injuries involving a wide range of accidents that include injuries that occur on LAX terminals and facilities.
What are my rights if I’m injured at LAX?
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles, California, and its surrounding metropolitan area. The airport, located in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles, is about 18 miles southwest of Downtown Los Angeles. LAX is operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a branch of the Los Angeles city government. Covering 3,500 acres, LAX features four parallel runways and is a major hub or focus city for several airlines including American Airlines,Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Polar Air Cargo, and United Airlines. In 2019, it was the world’s third-busiest and the United States’ second-busiest airport, primarily serving passengers beginning or ending their trips in Los Angeles, as well as being a major connection point for international travelers, particularly to East and Southeast Asia, Australasia, Mexico, and Central America.
LAX has nine terminals: Bradley International and Terminal 1-8. These terminals serve different airlines and destinations, with Bradley International being the newest and caters to the international flights. The other terminals generally handle domestic flights. Each terminal has multiple gates, and facilities that vary by terminal. For example, Terminal 1 is used by Southwest Airlines, Terminal 2 by Delta Air Lines, Terminal 4 by American Airlines, Terminal 7 by United Airlines, and so on. To assist in navigating the airport, there are signs, maps, shuttle buses, and walkways connecting the terminals. Additionally, customer service representatives and information booths are available for assistance if you need it. The airport also offers a free shuttle bus service called “Airline Connections,” which operates 24/7 and helps to get passengers between terminals more efficiently.
LAX provides a wide array of dining, shopping, and service options. Popular outlets are California Pizza Kitchen, Shake Shack, MAC Cosmetics, and Sunglass Hut. An interactive map is available to help locate these amenities in relation to the airport gates. Furthermore, there are various hotel options near the airport, ranging from luxury to budget-friendly, and many offer complimentary shuttle services to and from LAX.
When you are picking up or dropping off passengers, curbside parking is available for active loading and unloading. However, vehicles cannot be left unattended and must be moved as soon as passengers are ready to leave. For longer waits, cell-phone waiting areas provide a free parking option until the passenger is ready for pickup. LAX also offers various parking facilities, including the Central Terminal Area with parking garages adjacent to each terminal, the Economy Parking Lot for more affordable options, and Lot C for off-site parking. Handicapped parking is available in all structures and lots, with designated spaces near elevators and shuttle stops. All information regarding LAX airport can be found here.
What kind of accidents are common occurrences at LAX?
Accidents at or around Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) have included both air traffic incidents and ground traffic collisions.
One notable air traffic incident occurred in 1991, known as the Los Angeles runway disaster. This accident involved a collision between two aircraft: US Air Flight 1493 and SkyWest Airlines Flight 5569. The collision was due to a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings in air traffic control which led to the SkyWest Metroliner being on the runway while the US Air flight was landing. This tragic event underscores the critical importance of clear communication and stringent safety protocols in air traffic management.
Ground traffic accidents are also a concern around LAX. For instance, in 2023, there was a collision involving an airplane and a bus at the airport. The crash resulted in injuries to about five people.The tug driver, the bus driver, two passengers, and a worker on the plane. The tug driver was listed in moderate condition, two passengers and the bus driver were in fair condition. Luckily, the person on the plane and the worker were treated for injuries, but felt fine enough to decline transport. The cause of the collision was under investigation at the time.
Additionally, car accidents are not uncommon in the busy traffic environment of LAX. According to Maison Law in July 2023, a major traffic collision occurred outside LAX’s Terminal 5, causing at least one injury. The incident led to the closure of two lanes at the terminal and disrupted airport operations. This kind of accident highlights the risks posed by the heavy and often chaotic traffic around airport terminals, where drivers may be rushing to pick up or drop off passengers, which sometimes leads to negligent or unfocused driving.
These examples illustrate the range of accidents that can occur at a major international airport like LAX, especially both air traffic incidents and ground vehicle collisions. They emphasize the importance of safety measures, both in the air and on the ground, as a goal to prevent such accidents and ensure the well-being of all individuals at the airport.
Which parties are potentially liable for accidents at LAX
- The City of Los Angeles
- Private and public chartered airlines, negligent crews and pilots
- A manufacturer failing to warn end users of dangers and design defects and defective equipment manufacturers
- Public and private equipment maintenance crews
- Cafes, duty-free shops, coffee shops like Starbucks, alcohol bars, and restaurants.
- Municipal bus,shuttle bus driver and charter bus companies, including FlyAway, Go Fly, Prime, SuperShuttle, Roadrunner, Karmel Shuttle, A1, and DASH.
- Passenger car drivers and motorcyclists
- Taxi services, including Uber/Lyft, Uber Black, Uber Eats, “airporters,” etc.
- Delivery long haul and local delivery vehicles companies like UPS, FedEx, and DHL, their employee driver professionals, and even the business.
- Private security guards, LAPD Airport Police, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers and agents.
How does the financing work for the lawsuit (You don’t pay anything unless you win.)
In lawsuits, particularly personal injury cases, lawyers often work on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement means that the lawyer’s payment is contingent upon the outcome of the case. If the lawyer is successful in obtaining a favorable outcome for their client, they receive a percentage of the monetary amount recovered. This percentage can vary and depends primarily on the case and the agreement between the lawyer and the client.
A key aspect of the contingency fee agreement is that the client does not pay legal fees out of pocket or upfront. Instead, the lawyer’s fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict obtained in the case. For example, a common arrangement is for the attorney to receive 33⅓ percent of the gross settlement. So, if the attorney secures a $30,000 settlement for a bodily injury claim, their fee would be $10,000, or one-third of the settlement. It’s important to note that this percentage can differ depending on the specific agreement.
Additionally, if a lawsuit is required (meaning the case doesn’t settle out of court), the contingency fee may increase. For example, in some agreements, the fee might rise to 40 percent of the gross settlement after a lawsuit is filed. This increase is due to the additional time and effort required to litigate the case.
The contingency fee agreement also typically includes a section on expenses and the final bill. This part of the agreement ensures that the client understands they are responsible for paying the final bill for services rendered, including additional expenses incurred by the law firm on the client’s behalf, such as costs for obtaining medical records, hiring experts, and other related fees.
Another aspect of the agreement is the scope of the attorney-client relationship, defining who the parties are and what legal matters the attorney will be assisting with. The agreement will also detail other aspects such as the calculation of the fee, cooperation between the attorney and the client, and procedures for dispute resolution.
It is crucial for clients to fully understand the contingency fee agreement before signing it. They have the right to request detailed explanations of any part of the agreement and should not sign unless they understand the entire document. If any part of the agreement is unclear, clients should seek clarification from the attorney or consider contacting their state bar association for guidance.
For more detailed information on contingency fee agreements and their implications, please refer to the sources from Allen Law Firm, P.A., Wallace Pierce Law, and Rey Abogado.
Airport taxis and rideshare issues
Airport taxis and rideshare drivers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) have faced significant challenges due to changes for reducing traffic congestion. The airport has made substantial changes, most notably moving all rideshare and taxi pickups from the Central Terminal Area (CTA) to a dedicated pickup area known as LAX-it. This move aims to alleviate the intense traffic congestion that has become synonymous with LAX, particularly in the CTA.
LAX-it was introduced as part of a larger $14.3-billion capital improvement program at the airport, which includes modernizing all nine terminals and constructing new facilities like the Midfield Satellite Concourse and a 2.25-mile Automated People Mover. The decision to move pickups to LAX-it was driven by the need to reduce traffic by about 15% in the CTA, a measure expected to improve the overall traffic flow in and around the airport.
From the perspective of travelers, the move to LAX-it has been met with mixed reactions. While some appreciate the effort to streamline traffic and reduce congestion, others see it as an added inconvenience, extending their travel time. This sentiment is particularly strong among those who view the additional leg of travel to the LAX-it area as unnecessary, especially after long flights.
Rideshare companies have also reacted differently to these changes. For instance, Uber expressed concerns about the plan’s impact on seamless service for passengers, while Lyft was more optimistic about the change and saw it as an opportunity to collaborate with airport authorities to improve the pickup and drop-off experience for their users.
Drivers, on the other hand, have had to adapt to these changes, which alter the dynamics of their operations. The relocation of the pickup area means that they can no longer pick up passengers directly from the terminals but have to navigate to the LAX-it area. This change potentially impacts their efficiency and the number of rides they can complete in a day.
Despite these challenges, the LAX-it area is designed to offer a range of amenities aiming to enhance the pickup experience for both passengers and drivers. These amenities include restrooms, benches, umbrellas, food trucks, cell phone charging stations, and WiFi. Dedicated staff are also present for passenger assistance and lane management.
In summary, while the measures taken by LAX, such as the introduction of the LAX-it area, are intended to address the significant traffic issues and improve overall airport operations, they also present challenges and require adjustments from airport taxis and rideshare drivers, as well as passengers. Time will tell if this move was the best and it may result in going back to previous operations.
Los Angeles Airport Accident Lawyer
At J&Y Law Firm, we recommend seeking professional legal advice when you’ve been injured at an airport. For further guidance or to discuss your specific case, contact J&Y Law Firm at (877) 426-6580, and our team of experienced attorneys will be happy to assist you.