What Happens If A Drone Injures You?
Michael Babboni
Personal Injury
The 21st century is filled with all kinds of impressive new technological wonders, from virtual reality to the Internet, but one of the most interesting—and potentially dangerous—developments is the rising public access to the drone.The drone was originally a remotely operated flying vehicle used by the American military to conduct both reconnaissance and actual attacks on enemy locations. But in the decades since the technology first came into use, the cost and secrecy behind drones have gone down. In the 21st century, anyone can simply buy a drone from a store and use it for recreational purposes. But, as with cars, guns and even swimming pools, accidents can happen.
So what happens to you legally if you sustain an injury because of someone operating a drone?
More Responsibility
As of December, 2015, the United States Federal Aviation Administration now requires that anyone over the age of 13 who owns a drone over the weight of .55 and under 55 lbs must register for drone ownership. Once a drone owner has applied, they receive a unique license number, which must then be reproduced and affixed to every drone they own and operate.
This means that in the event that you are injured by a drone, if the owner of the drone is a responsible citizen, he or she will have a serial number available somewhere on the drone so as to track ownership if the user does not come forward after the accident.
If, on the other hand, the owner of a drone is illegally using the drone with no registration, then this means that, if tracked down, the owner of the unregistered drone can face a civil fine of up to $27,500, or, if the activities of the drone fall under criminal activity, up to $250,000 in fines, and three years of imprisonment.
What This Means For You
In the event that you are injured in an accident with a drone, the first thing you should do is ensure your own safety or that of others that may be involved in the incident. After that, depending on the state of the drone, if it has crashed or is otherwise recoverable, you should track it down and be prepared to hand it over to the police or any other relevant authority, so that they can search for a registration and track down the owner. If the drone has a camera that was recording, this is likely to be important evidence in any case, should it go to court.
You should also be sure to talk to and exchange details with any witnesses that may have seen the incident, and, once you are ready, strongly consider getting the advice and services of a personal injury lawyer in St. Petersburg. If the injuring party is tracked down and notified that there may be a negligence or personal injury case pending against them, there is a chance that the other party’s lawyer or insurance company may attempt to talk to you in an attempt to either quickly resolve, or nullify the case with any incriminating remarks you may make to them. Do not discuss the case once it is underway with any professionals other than your own personal injury lawyer and insurance company.