Boat Injury Lawyer

Boating accidents can happen for any number of reasons, but three of the common ones are collision, capsizing, and sinking. Boat collisions are characterized by crashing into other objects, including other boats and vehicles. Boat collisions can happen while navigating on the water, and even when entering or exiting docks.

Capsizing is the overturning of a boat on the water, which can be caused by waves, moving too fast, or making sharp turns. Other conditions that can cause capsizing include overloading a boat beyond its weight capacity or having an unequal weight distribution. Severe weather conditions like lightning and high wind can also cause a boat to overturn.

Collisions and capsizing are two major sources of boats sinking. Other circumstances that cause boats to sink include corrosion, damaged hoses, dock damage, and not keeping up with routine maintenance. Regardless of the reason that a boat accident occurs, in many cases, it can result in personal injuries or death. When personal injuries or death occur, legal action can be taken under the guidance of a boat injury lawyer.

As with any other type of vehicular accident, there are parties that may be held accountable for the occurrence of boating accidents. This can include being a passenger on a boat that was being driven by someone at the time the accident occurred, and the driver was responsible. This can also include being a passenger on a boat that is owned by another person and poor maintenance was the reason an accident happened. Other liable parties in boating accidents can also include the drivers of other boats that collide with the boat the affected person was on. They can even include the manufacturers of boats with faulty design or manufacturers that facilitated the accident.

Regardless of the reason a boating accident occurs, individuals who experienced injuries or the death of a loved one may be entitled to monetary compensation. A boat injury lawyer can investigate for evidence of liability to obtain the compensation that a boating accident victim is entitled to by law.

After a boating accident has occurred, the first course of action is to determine the liable parties. This means determining who or what caused the accident that resulted in injuries or death. In order to establish liability, here are some questions to consider:

• Was there careless operation of a boat or a similar vehicle?
• Was anyone operating the boat while intoxicated?
• Was the boat properly maintained or were errors made during maintenance?
• Were federal and state laws for safe boating being obeyed?
• Was there sufficient safety equipment aboard the boat like safety vests?

A boat injury lawyer can help clients conduct an investigation to determine the cause of injuries or death of a loved one. If someone is liable, a boat injury lawyer can help the client successfully pursue a claim in court against those liable parties or their insurers, or negotiate a settlement.

One of the most difficult aspects of pursuing a claim in which another person was responsible for a boating accident is proving that they are liable. This includes being able to provide evidence of their negligence and breach of duty as the direct cause of the accident and subsequent injuries and/or deaths. A boat injury lawyer will help a client build a strong case by interviewing witnesses, consulting with experts, and helping clients work with insurers.

Another way a boat injury lawyer will help clients obtain the compensation they’re entitled to is by reviewing the extent of injuries sustained, the cost of medical care, as well as the types of damages that can be awarded. Not only can injuries sustained from a boating accident result in high medical costs, but they can also result in lost wages from missing work. Depending on the severity of the injury, permanent life changes can occur.

The types of damages a boat injury lawyer can help clients and affected families obtain monetary compensation for include:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages from missed workdays
• Loss of future earning capacity as a result of injury
• Medications and other treatments related to the injury
• Pain, suffering, and other losses directly related to the injury

To learn more about how The Welsh Law Firm can be your trusted advocate in your time of need, see our areas of practice and send us a message.