Orlando Hot Air Balloon Crash Leaves One Injured

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on July 4, 2017

A hot air balloon carrying 17 people crashed near Walt Disney World in Orlando on Monday. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the balloon crashed into a retention pond near State Road 429 at Western Way. One person was injured, although the Orange County Fire Rescue says the injuries did not seem to be serious.

The balloon was operated by Orlando Balloon Rides and had 16 passengers, including children, on board at the time of the crash. The cause of the crash appears to be an issue with the wind, which forced the pilot to make an emergency landing. The accident report has the pilot saying that he intended to land in an air field off the Turnpike but, due to wind, ended up in the retention pond. The basked of the balloon landed in the water, and the balloon itself was draped across the grass near the southbound lanes of SR 429. Some of the passengers reported being trapped under the balloon.

Depending on whether there was any negligence on the part of the balloon pilot and/or Orlando Balloon Rides, the injured passenger could have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit for his or her injuries. Although the report says the injuries were not serious, many times the seriousness of an injury will not manifest for days – or even weeks – later. In such a case, then the victim could seek damages for their losses.

Furthermore, this scenario is lucky that the balloon did not injure anyone on the ground. The fact that it crashed so close to Disney World and a state highway could have easily resulted in multiple injuries – even deaths if it had landed on the highway. In such a case, there would likely be numerous lawsuits against the balloon company.

What this case shows is how easily a leisurely summer trip can quickly turn tragic. If you or a loved one are injured while enjoying sunny Orlando this summer, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. To learn more, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. today.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.