[02-20-2022] Orange County, CA – One Person Killed, Another Injured Following a Deadly Helicopter Crash in Newport Beach

One officer was killed while another was hurt the cause of a deadly Helicopter crash in Newport Beach on Saturday night, February 20, 2022.

According to the initial reports from local authorities, the crash happened at around 6:30 p.m. near Newport Beach.

The helicopter crashed into the water for unclear reasons. One of the officers was rescued and rushed to an area hospital and was listed in critical condition.

Meanwhile, the other officer, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. He was identified as 44-year-old Nicholas V.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s major accident reconstruction team further investigate the case.

Helicopter Accident Statistics

You might not think of helicopter crashes as a typical occurrence, but recent media attention to high-profile crashes has proved that they can occur. They also generate catastrophic losses. Even a modest helicopter accident can result in millions of dollars in property damage and injuries.

According to the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (USHST), at least 51 helicopter fatalities occurred in 2019, up from 55 in 2018. There were more than 120 helicopter accidents in each of those years.

The fatal accident rate for helicopters increased from 0.54 per 100,000 flight hours in 2016 to 0.82 in 2018. That’s a more than 50% increase, which is worrisome.

Helicopters crash for a variety of reasons. It is critical to deal with an attorney who understands the technical aspects of aviation to prove who was at fault for the accident.

Helicopter Accident Lawyers for Victims in Orange County

Unfortunately, many helicopter crashes result in fatal injuries. It can be difficult for surviving family members to even consider filing a claim and going through a legal process while dealing with their grief. It is, however, important to hold negligent parties responsible for the deaths they cause.

In general, a surviving spouse has priority to file a wrongful death claim. Children can also file a wrongful death claim, and if they are still minors, an estate administrator can file the claim on their behalf. There are also special situations in which registered domestic partners, grandchildren, and other dependent minors (such as stepchildren) might also be eligible to file a wrongful death claim.

Negligent manufacturers, helicopter owners, and pilots must all be held accountable for the deaths they cause. This accountability helps deter others from the same negligence. It can even save lives in the future.

Arash Law’s experienced helicopter attorneys in Orange County know how to find all potential defendants so that you have access to all the compensation you are legally owed for the wrongful death. Anyone who contributed to a preventable death must be held accountable for it, which is the only way to prevent fatal mistakes in the future.

Call (888) 488-1391 today to schedule your free consultation. Don’t wait. The sooner you have an experienced injury attorney fighting on your side, the better protected your legal rights will be.