If you or someone close to you was seriously injured during a water or boating sports accident due to the negligence of another, you could be entitled to seek legal action. As the victim, you could be entitled to financial compensation for medical expenses, absence from work, and for pain and suffering. But, you’ll probably need an attorney for boat accidents who is experienced and has legal knowledge to secure the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to.
Since more than sixty years, the lawyers for boat accidents helped clients across Pennsylvania. Lawyers for boating accidents have received national recognition for their efforts for injured victims. They‘ve been recognised as one of some of the Best Lawyers in America, and have been awarded the top potential peer as well as client scores from Martindale-Hubbell. Contact a lawyer who handles boat accidents now to schedule a meeting, no cost.
What happens when boat accidents happen
There are many reasons for boat-related accidents, including:
- Unskillful and Inconsiderate operation of a boat: Many captains of boats operate their vessels in a reckless or reckless manner that could cause water or boat accidents. This could include issues like the letting of passengers in unsuitable places on the vessel while it’s moving, or splashing other boats or creating in a wake within the vicinity of another vessel; not following the low wake rules or failing to pay attention to the presence of other watercraft or failing to keep an appropriate distance from other boats or vessels; boat operators’ inattention and inability to surrender to another vessel, jet-ski, water skier , or watercraft and overloading the boat with too many people or cargo.
- Extreme Speed: It is very vital that all watercraft , including jet skis, keep the speed of safety. A lot of accidents occur due to speed and boaters could lose control of their watercraft, and crash and suffer a serious accident. The safe speed of boating ensures that boaters be aware of the swimmers, the other boats, things and dangers that are within the sea.
- Alcohol Usage: All boat and watercraft operators must abide by the same rules like a driver behind the vehicle. You are not allowed to drive on a boat if you are impaired or with a blood alcohol content (BAC) higher than 0.08. If you decide to operate a boat while intoxicated by alcohol, or any other controlled substances, you’re in violation of the law and risking yourself and lives for your fellow passengers as well as other boaters. In Pennsylvania, the moment you operate a watercraft under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances, you’re likely to be fined between $300 to $122,500, for up to 5 years prison, or even a suspension of your the privileges to boat for a period of one year. If you are unable to undergo an breath, blood, or urine test, the Boating Commission may suspend your rights to use a boat for up 18 months.
- Inexperienced Boat Operator: Most times, the person driving the boat might not have the experience or skills required to safely operate a boat and could result in a crash on the boat, water-skiing accidents, tubing accident , or drowning accident. It is crucial to know all you can about the level of experience of your captain, before you embark on the boat or engage in water sports on a vessel. There are rules and regulations that captains of boats must know about. There are numerous boating classes which are available to instruct boaters the proper way to operate the boat.
- Caring for Boat Passengers or Recklessness: A boat’s operator or captain is accountable for the passengers of their boat. The boat operator is responsible for keeping everyone seated when it is in motion, and ensure that the line of sight of all passengers is free of obstructions and clear. Boat operators should not tow a skier who is planning to travel in an unsafe way. If towing the skier, someone designated as an observer should be on board the boat.
- Bad weather: All water sports and boating enthusiasts should check their safety gear, pay attention to the weather forecast, and then create an outline of your float that outlines when and where you’ll be on the water. Be aware that strong winds can make the water dangerous.
Tips to Avoid a Boating accident:
Remember these guidelines prior to going for a swim:
- Stay sober. Many people associate boating and fishing with drinking, once you’ve got yourself ready, for serious legal trouble.
- Be aware of the weather forecast. If you see stormy weather coming towards you, schedule your trip to the boat for another day.
- Make sure there’s flotation equipment for all passengers on the boat.
- Learn about boating safety.
- Check the boat’s bow and stern prior leaving.
- Install a fire extinguisher around the boat in the event there is a an incident of fire.
Contact a Boat Accident Lawyer Now
The highly experienced lawyers for boating accidents have represented hundreds of victims of boating accidents. They have discovered, through years in practice, the fact that accidents as well as deaths caused by watersports and boating accidents are usually result from the negligence and reckless actions on the part of boat owners. They‘d like to assist you in evaluating your case now and decide the person responsible for the accident. They can provide free consultations to all their victims of boating accidents and they also can don’t charge any fees unless they obtain a win for you.
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Boat Accident FAQs:
Q. Do I have to pay money upfront to hire a boat accident lawyer?
No. We consider all accidents on the water cases on a contingency-fee basis. This means that you don’t have to be required to pay any upfront, and we’ll not mail you an invoice. We’ll only charge you after we’ve secured compensation for you. That’s our No-Fee Guarantee.
Q. Should I work directly with the insurance companies?
Insurance companies may be trying to force you to settle your claim before you are aware of the full magnitude of your losses. This could mean you don’t get all the money you’re entitled to. Engaging a lawyer from the boat accident to negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf will allow you to avoid errors that could compromise your claim.
Q. Can waiting to file my claim hurt my chances of getting compensation?
Potentially. Following any kind of accident, it’s crucial to seek legal assistance immediately. Evidence must be gathered and stored as quickly as it is possible, and you might require medical evidence from the incident to establish your case. Delay won’t necessarily harm your claim, however, it is recommended to consult with an attorney whenever you can.
Q. What percentage of boating accidents result in injuries and fatalities?
Department of Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard document that, among the most frequent causes of boating-related accident across the US, 66 percent cause injuries and 12% cause deaths. A majority of these injuries result from the consumption of alcohol, and the majority of fatalities are caused by carelessness of the boater.
Q. What is the statute of limitations for filing a boating accident claim in Massachusetts and Rhode Island?
Typically, you’ll have 3 years following the incident to submit an claim. However, the faster you submit the claim, the quicker you’ll receive the money you’re due.
