Drone accidents are on the rise as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) become more common in commercial, recreational, and public safety operations. While drones offer many benefits, their misuse, whether due to operator negligence, mechanical failure, or reckless flying, can lead to serious injuries, property damage, and even fatalities. If you or a loved one has been harmed in a drone-related incident, you need an experienced personal injury team with drone accident lawyers to fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
What are UAVs?
The International Trade Administration refers to UAVs as Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or UAS, but notes, “UAS commonly are referred to as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and drones.”
“UAS are air vehicles and associated equipment that do not carry a human operator, but instead are remotely piloted or fly autonomously,” the agency reports. “A UAS generally consists of 1) an aircraft with no pilot on board, 2) a remote pilot station, 3) a command and control link, and 4) a payload specific to the intended application/operation, which often includes specialized cameras or other sensors that collect data for near term analysis.
According to the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as of April 2025, there are more than a million total drones registered, with 420,825 of those being commercial drone registrations. There are also 383,007 recreational flyer registrations.
Common Causes of Drone Accidents
Drone crashes and collisions can result from pilot error, such as inexperienced operators or flying in restricted airspace. They can also be caused by mechanical failures – battery malfunctions, defective parts, and more – or software glitches such as GPS errors or autopilot failures.
Then there’s good old-fashioned human error. Reckless flying, such as operating drones near airports, over crowds, or in violation of FAA regulations, can lead to drone accidents.
According to The Debrief, a science, tech, and defense news outlet, data reviewed by the news source from the FAA in 2025 “recorded 411 reports of illegal drone incursions near airports across the United States from January to March – an unsettling 25.6 percent increase from the 327 reports during the same period in 2024.”
Victims of drone injury incidents may suffer lacerations, head trauma, eye injuries, psychological distress, and more, all of which warrant legal action and may necessitate the assistance of drone accident lawyers.
Why You Should Consult a Drone Injury Attorney
Proving liability in drone accident cases requires specialized knowledge of aviation law, product liability, and personal injury claims. A skilled drone injury attorney can:
- Investigate the cause of the crash (black box data, flight logs, witness statements, and more)
- Identify all liable parties (operators, manufacturers, property owners, etc.)
- Navigate complex FAA regulations and local drone laws
- Demand maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more
If a drone crash injured you or damaged your property, don’t wait to get legal help. Our firm has a proven track record of holding negligent operators and manufacturers accountable, and may be able to assist you with a drone crash claim.
Contact our drone accident lawyers now for a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation. Let us help you secure justice and the financial recovery you need to move forward. Call 602-222-2222 to get in touch with a member of the team at Phillips Law Group today.