In the wake of a midair collision over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport Wednesday, aviation attorneys are emphasizing litigation as a means to enforce accountability and prevent future deaths.

An American Airlines Bombardier jet, which was carrying 64 people, and a U.S. Army Black Hawk Sikorsky helicopter carrying three soldiers collided shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday. The regional jet was arriving from Wichita, Kansas, American Airlines stated.