We do not hear about boating accidents happening too often. In general, boating is a relatively safe recreational activity that people partake in, especially during the warm summer months. However, in reality, hundreds of boating and aviation accidents occur every year in the United States where people are injured and even killed. These accidents can be extremely unfortunate because in many cases they are preventable.
Many boating accidents that take place are unavoidable. They might be due to adverse weather conditions or natural hazards or obstructions in the water. However, some accidents are preventable when boating operators are negligent while driving the boat. In these cases, the boat operators may be held liable for damages that result.
What is the Role of a Boating Accident Attorney?
If you have been injured in a boating accident due to negligence then contact a personal injury attorney for a consultation. A boating accident lawyer can help you determine whether you can receive compensation for your injuries and losses. If you have suffered an injury in a boating accident that was caused by someone’s negligence then call a boating accident attorney today to discuss your rights and options for obtaining compensation for your losses.
What are the Standards for Liability When Accidents Occur?
Every state has different laws that govern the standards for liability in a boating accident. For the most part, a person is at fault in a boating accident if he or she acted negligently. Victims can consult with a boating accident attorney in their state to find out what the specific laws are. For example, a boat operator may be negligent if he was boating under the influence of alcohol at the time that the accident occurred.
Parties may also be responsible if they did not follow certain safety rules and guidelines for operating the boat. A personal injury lawyer can help you figure out who was at fault for causing the accident.
Explain the Types of Penalties Levied
The person who is responsible for causing the boating accident may have civil liability, criminal liability, or both, depending on the situation. The victims of this individual may hire a boating accident attorney to sue for medical expenses, property damage, wrongful death, and any other losses they may have experienced because of the accident. There are also situations in which criminal charges may be brought against the boat operator. These include boating under the influence (BUI), reckless operation, and situations of gross negligence.
Boating accidents can cause irreversible damage
In general, people who enjoy outdoor activities such as boating do not expect to be seriously injured or killed in an accident. However, these types of accidents occur all too often. Every year, hundreds of people suffer injuries or deaths from boating accidents. For many of these victims, the incidents are unexpected and unavoidable.
Boating accidents can be extremely dangerous for passengers and boat operators because there is a risk of drowning or experiencing a collision with another vessel or hazard. Boats often travel at high speeds which can also be dangerous in the event of a crash. There is little doubt that boats can be dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken.
What Steps to Take in the Event of a Boating Accident?
- Report a Boating Accident
If there is a boating accident that is legally categorized as such then it has to be reported to the agency that regulates boats in that state, or the United States Coast Guard, or both. The situations where an accident report has to be filed change from state to state. If anyone is injured or killed in the boating accident, then the report has to be filed no later than 48 hours after the incident.
However, if only property damage resulted from the accident, then the report must be filed within 10 days following the incident. People who are involved in the accident or the boat operator should not make any statements that assume responsibility or liability until they have discussed the matter with a qualified boating accident attorney.
- Filing a Claim to Cover Damages and Losses
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a boating accident that occurred because the operator was negligent then you may have grounds for filing a lawsuit to claim compensation for injuries and losses that you have suffered.
Financial compensation can be greatly beneficial to help cover such things as lost wages, medical expenses, pain, and suffering. Contact a personal injury attorney or accident lawyer today to find out more about your rights and options.
Conclusion
If you have been injured in a boating accident, then you may be entitled to pursue compensation for the injuries and losses that you have suffered. By contacting a skilled and qualified personal injury attorney, you can secure the best chances for obtaining a favorable outcome for your case.
