Local Law Firms Home > Personal Injury Overview > Hang Gliding Accidents

Among the more exciting and adventurous hobbies out here is Hang gliding. Hang Gliding is a great sport for people looking to quench their sense of adventure and bring out their inner daredevil. For others it could be a peaceful way to take in breathtaking sites. However, this hobby requires proper training, athleticism and sturdy material. When any of those are missing, the results could be devastating.

Have you or someone you love been involved in a hang gliding accident? Contact a personal injury attorney in your local area today!

Though a relatively uncommon hobby, hang gliding is not without its dangers. In a recent two year period, The National Transportation Safety Bureau reported 58 accidents with a staggering 32 deaths.

Common causes of accidents while hang gliding are:

• Equipment Malfunction
• Improper Training
• Inexperienced Pilot
• Manufacturing Flaws

With hang gliding accidents that result in injuries such as:

• Severe Head Trauma
• Severe Spinal Cord Injury
• Broken Bones
• Dismemberment
• Wrongful Death
• Emotional Trauma

In a recent case, a twenty-seven year old woman in Vancouver, Canada was taking her first hang gliding lesson. She was supposed to be strapped to her instructor for an assisted flight. Immediately after take off, the woman and instructor realised that something was wrong. The victim was improperly fastened to her instructor. After trying to hold onto her instructor, she eventually lost control and fell 1,000 feet to her death. Her boyfriend was present, which makes it all the more heartbreaking. Police discovered that the instructor, in a fit of cowardice and panic, had swallowed the memory card containing video footage of the training session. The instructor was arrested and his instructor certification was revoked. The footage on the memory card had shown that the “hangcheck”, a necessary part of the instruction, was not properly conducted.

The emotional and financial pressure from such an accident could be insurmountable. Medical bills may be very high and the injuries could keep a victim from working. Moreover, such an incident could traumatise a victim emotionally which could lead to years of therapy.

Laws surrounding an helicopter injury are not too different from personal injury laws. Still, these laws may vary from state to state. Your specific situation can have a statute of limitations so it’s best to act quickly.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a hang gliding accident be it because of an instructor’s negligence or equipment failure, one of our lawyers may be able to help! Contact a personal injury lawyer in your local area today!