Drones, which originated as technology that allowed for safe U.S. surveillance in high conflict areas like Afghanistan, have also become a popular new toy for people of all ages. Drones can be both useful and fun to fly, but unfortunately, they also have the ability to cause serious injury. Here’s what you need to know about drones and where to get help if you or a loved one were the victim of drone injuries.
Whether or not you’re familiar with drones, you may not be aware of these interesting drone facts:
Drones can be used for a wide variety of personal and commercial activities, including but not limited to:
Although drones have many uses, simply put, they’re large, heavy flying machines that, like any other machine, have the ability to malfunction or be operated improperly. A drone that isn’t operated properly or malfunctions in midair can come hurtling down and if it hits one or more people, it could cause serious injury. Whirling blades can cause cuts and lacerations, while an impact can cause head injury, broken bones, and in rare cases, even death.
Imagine being a “crash landing pad” for a heavy piece of flying machinery coming at you at 140+ mph from over 400 feet. Naturally, individuals in this scenario have the potential to suffer severe injuries, many of which can cause paralysis and even disfiguration. In fact, Mazow | McCullough, PC has represented and continues to represent individuals who have suffered severe, permanent injuries due to the negligence of drone owners and operators.
There are many damages that can be associated with a drone injury. Much like any other serious injury that requires hospitalization and extensive care, a drone injury can result in the following types of damages:
Like with any injury, it’s important to determine who the at-fault party is before a lawsuit can be brought forward to hold that person or entity legally liable for the damages caused by the drone. Examples of who may be liable in a drone injury case include but are not limited to:
Fortunately, there are now ways to protect yourself against drones both invading your privacy and increasing your risk for injury. NoFlyZone.org is a website that allows you to enter in your address and personal information and creates a “no fly zone” around your property that drone operators will see when they check for areas that are safe and acceptable to fly their drone in.
While there are no current requirements to check the no-fly zone database by drone operators, getting your property on the no-fly zone list is a good first step to protecting your privacy and yourself and your loved ones from injury.
If you or a loved one were hurt by a drone, whether the injuries were minor or severe, you may be entitled to compensation to cover damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
At Mazow | McCullough, P.C., we have the skills and resources to help you determine who may be at fault for your injuries and bring a claim forward for financial restitution. We have experience with drones, drone technology, and drone lawsuits and can zealously represent you in a drone injury case. Contact us today for a consultation by e-mail or call us toll free at (855) 693-9084 or locally at (978) 744-8000.