What happened in Miami is first and foremost a human tragedy. Families are grieving loved ones, injured people are facing medical treatment and uncertainty, and many people affected by the crash may still be trying to understand what happened.
On September 6, 2026, an Amazon Prime Air cargo aircraft operated by 21 Air overran the runway at Miami International Airport after landing. The Boeing 767-300, arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, crossed beyond the runway and struck vehicles. Five people on the ground were killed, and five others were injured. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash, and investigators have recovered the aircraft’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
For the families and injured people involved, the immediate priority is understandably recovery, medical care and getting answers. Legal questions may come later—but in a serious aviation accident, it can be important to understand your options early because evidence, records and other information may become critical to determining what happened.
If You or a Family Member Was Injured, What Should You Do?
There is no single answer that applies to everyone involved in an aviation accident. The appropriate legal options can depend on whether the person was a passenger, an employee, a driver or occupant of another vehicle, or otherwise affected by the aircraft.
Still, there are several practical steps that can help protect your interests.
1. Get the medical care you need
Your health should come first.
If you were injured, follow your doctors’ recommendations and keep records of your treatment. Serious trauma can involve injuries that are not immediately apparent, including orthopedic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burns, internal injuries and emotional trauma.
Keep copies of:
- Hospital and emergency-room records
- Diagnostic imaging
- Medical bills
- Prescriptions
- Follow-up appointments
- Physical therapy records
- Information about time missed from work
- Other out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
You do not need to wait until you understand the legal issues before getting medical attention.
2. Preserve photographs, videos and other evidence
If you or someone with you witnessed the crash or its aftermath, preserve any photographs or videos you have.
This could include:
- Photos or video taken before or immediately after the crash
- Images of injuries
- Photographs of damaged vehicles or property
- Dashcam footage
- Cellphone video
- Security-camera information
- Names and contact information for witnesses
- Messages or communications concerning the accident
Do not alter or delete original files. If possible, preserve the original versions and keep backup copies.
The NTSB has indicated that it is collecting evidence as part of its investigation, and investigators have asked members of the public to provide photographs or videos that may assist the investigation.
3. Be careful about signing documents before you understand them
After a serious accident, victims or families may receive communications from insurance companies, businesses or other organizations.
That does not automatically mean anyone is acting improperly. However, before signing a settlement, release or other document concerning your potential claims, it is reasonable to understand exactly what rights you may be giving up.
If you are unsure about a document, consider having an attorney review it before signing.
4. Keep a record of what happened
While memories are fresh, write down what you remember.
Include:
- Where you were
- What you saw or heard
- Where the aircraft was when you first noticed it
- What happened immediately before and after the impact
- Where you were treated
- Who witnessed the event
- Any communications you received afterward
Do not speculate about the cause of the accident. Simply document what you personally observed.
That distinction can become important while investigators determine what actually happened.
Who May Be Responsible for an Airplane Crash?
It is too early to say who is legally responsible for the Miami crash.
The NTSB investigation is examining the circumstances of the accident, and federal investigators have been evaluating issues involving the aircraft, the landing, runway conditions and other potential factors. The NTSB has emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages.
Depending on what the evidence ultimately shows, aviation accidents can potentially involve multiple parties or theories of liability.
Those may include, depending on the facts:
- The aircraft operator
- An airline or cargo carrier
- Aircraft maintenance companies
- Manufacturers of aircraft components
- Airport operators
- Contractors
- Other companies responsible for airport operations or safety
- Other parties whose conduct may have contributed to an injury or death
That does not mean any of these parties are responsible for the Miami crash. Determining responsibility requires evidence and a careful investigation.
What Will Investigators Look At?
Aviation accident investigations can be extensive.
Investigators may examine:
- Flight-data recorder information
- Cockpit voice recordings
- Aircraft maintenance and inspection records
- Pilot qualifications and training
- Weather conditions
- Air-traffic-control information
- Aircraft systems and performance
- Runway conditions
- Airport design and safety features
- Communications
- Surveillance or security video
- Witness accounts
- Vehicle and accident-scene evidence
The FAA has confirmed that Flight 7598 overran the runway after landing at Miami International Airport and that the agency is investigating.
At this stage, it is important not to jump to conclusions about what caused the crash.
What Should I Look for When Choosing a Lawyer?
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, or if a family member died, choosing an attorney is an important decision.
A lawyer evaluating an aviation-related injury should be able to explain what they know, what they do not yet know, and what needs to be investigated.
Consider asking:
Does the attorney have experience with serious injury and wrongful-death cases?
A complicated aviation accident can involve significant injuries, death, multiple parties and substantial evidence.
Ask about the firm’s experience handling cases involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death and complex litigation.
Can the attorney investigate the evidence independently?
An attorney should be prepared to evaluate more than a news report.
Depending on the circumstances, that may involve working with aviation, engineering, accident reconstruction, medical or other experts.
Does the lawyer understand that the investigation is still developing?
Be cautious of anyone who claims to already know exactly what caused the crash when federal investigators are still examining the evidence.
A responsible attorney should distinguish between:
what is known, what is suspected and what still needs to be determined.
Will the attorney explain the potential claims and limitations?
A good lawyer should explain the legal process in understandable terms, including what claims may potentially exist, who may be involved, what evidence matters and what deadlines may apply.
Aviation cases can involve complicated federal and state legal issues, so the specific circumstances of each person affected matter.
Will the attorney treat your family with compassion?
This may be the most important consideration of all.
A serious accident is not simply a legal problem. It can affect someone’s health, livelihood, family and future.
You should feel comfortable asking questions and expect straightforward answers.
What If My Family Member Died?
Nothing can undo the loss of a loved one.
For families dealing with a wrongful death, legal action may be one part of seeking accountability and financial support for the consequences of the loss. Depending on the circumstances, a wrongful-death claim can potentially address certain economic and other legally recognized losses.
But every wrongful-death case is different.
The appropriate claims, parties and damages depend on the facts, the relationship of the survivors to the deceased, and the laws that apply.
Families should consider speaking with an attorney before making decisions about a potential claim or accepting a settlement.
What If I Was Injured but Was Not on the Plane?
The Miami crash is a reminder that aviation accidents can affect people on the ground as well as people aboard an aircraft.
According to the NTSB, the five people who died were in vehicles struck by the aircraft. Other people were injured, including people on the ground and the aircraft’s crew.
If you were in a vehicle, working near the airport, or otherwise injured by the crash, your legal situation may be different from that of an aircraft passenger.
That is another reason it is important not to assume that one legal answer applies to everyone affected.
What If I Am Not Sure Whether I Have a Case?
You do not have to know the answer before speaking with an attorney.
A consultation can help you understand:
- Whether there may be a potential claim
- Who may potentially be responsible
- What evidence should be preserved
- What additional investigation may be appropriate
- What deadlines may apply
- What the legal process could look like
A reputable attorney should be willing to tell you if more information is needed before reaching a conclusion.
Miami Plane Crash Legal Help
The investigation into the Miami International Airport crash is still developing. The NTSB and FAA are working to determine what happened, and important facts may emerge as investigators analyze the aircraft’s recorders, physical evidence, witness accounts and other information.
For families who lost someone and for people who were injured, the priority should be taking care of themselves and their families while making informed decisions about what comes next.
At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP, our Miami personal injury attorneys represent people and families dealing with serious injuries and wrongful death. If you believe you or a family member may have been affected by the Miami aircraft crash, our attorneys can review the circumstances of what happened and explain your potential legal options.
You do not have to decide today whether to pursue a lawsuit. The first step can simply be learning what your rights may be.
This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not a determination that any particular person or company is legally responsible for the Miami aircraft crash. The investigation remains ongoing, and the facts and applicable law may change as additional information becomes available. An attorney-client relationship is not created by reading this article or contacting the firm.