Where Can I Find Help for My Boating Accident Lawsuit?

When an accident occurs on the water, there are certain laws and statutes that will affect any resulting legal claim. If you hope to file a boating accident lawsuit, it is vital to hire an attorney who understands state, local, and federal maritime law. 
 
The nuances of maritime statutes can make the difference between a successful claim and an unsuccessful case. Because of this, you should look for a legal firm with decades of experience in helping boating accident victims.
 
Like other tort cases, boating accident lawsuits typically involve the legal concept of “negligence.” When a person has behaved carelessly or dangerously, causing harm to another, they can be held accountable.
 
Proving negligence in a boating accident lawsuit involves four distinct elements. They are:

A Duty of Care
The plaintiff must prove that the defendant owed them a duty of care. A duty of care is a legal responsibility to behave in a reasonably safe and responsible way.
 
In the context of a boating accident, vessel operators have a duty of care to others on the water. They are responsible for operating their boat in a safe and legal manner.

Breach of Duty
The claimant must also provide evidence that the defendant failed to live up to their responsibility, which led to the accident. To prove negligence, you must show that the liable party breached their duty of care.
 
In a boating incident, this can mean that the at-fault party operated their boat recklessly or illegally.

Causation
The plaintiff must prove that the other party’s behavior had a causal relationship to the accident or injury. In other words, the claimant needs to show that their accident was the result of the liable person’s actions.
 
If another event or person contributed to the accident, the claimant may be unable to prove that the defendant was negligent.

Actual Harm
Finally, the plaintiff must show that the accident resulted in actual harm. If the defendant’s actions were only potentially dangerous, it will be challenging to prove negligence.
 
In boating accident lawsuits, actual harm must have resulted from the incident. The value of the harm from the accident can be determined by a skilled personal injury lawyer.
 

Every boating accident is unique. Still, some types of accidents and mishaps are more typical than others.
 
The following are some of the most common situations that lead to boating accidents:

• Colliding with a large wave or wake
• Boating in inclement weather, leading to passengers falling overboard
• Swimmers colliding with propellers
• Operating a vessel at excessive speed
• Failing to maintain appropriate safety and first aid equipment
• Collisions involving multiple vessels
• Failing to adhere to boat operation safety standards
• Overloading or overcrowding the boat

These are only a few examples of dangerous boating situations. Other typical types of boating accidents arise because of:

The Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
It is illegal to operate a water vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol and drugs can reduce a boat operator’s reaction time and ability to make sound judgments. This makes boating accidents and injuries much more likely.
 
If a boat operator is thought to be under the influence, they may be required to submit to a sobriety test. Those over 21 years of age that are found to have a breath or blood alcohol level of at least .08% are considered to be intoxicated.
 
Operating a boat while intoxicated can result in fines, probation, or incarceration. If an intoxicated person caused your accident or injury, you could seek civil damages for the losses that resulted.
 
Speak with a skilled attorney to explore the possibility of filing a boating accident lawsuit.

Careless and Reckless Vessel Operation
If someone drives a boat with a willful disregard for the safety of others, they can be held liable for the resulting damages they cause. Those who operate boats have a legal responsibility to behave in a way that keeps others safe. 
 
Accidents can happen in many situations, but driving a boat carelessly increases the risks for everyone. It is also important to note that not every boating accident results in injuries.
 
Even those mishaps that cause only property damage can provide the foundation for a boating accident lawsuit. You should not have to pay for replacing or repairing damaged property when another person’s negligence caused the accident.
 
Reach out to an accomplished boating accident attorney at Morgan & Morgan to explore your legal options. We have the skills and experience to pursue the full amount of compensation that you deserve.

When you have suffered an injury in a boating accident, you may know that you need legal representation. Still, most victims have very little experience with the process of civil legal claims.
 
Because of this, some people attempt to pursue boating accident claims without legal guidance. This is a mistake.
 
It is vital to secure the services of a trusted legal expert to help you navigate the complexities of a boating injury claim. This will ensure that you have the best chance possible of recovering the full amount you are owed.
 
When you hire one of the boating accident experts at Morgan & Morgan, they will oversee the following crucial elements of your case:

• Gathering critical evidence to prove negligence
• Completing and filing required legal paperwork
• Ensuring that legal deadlines are met
• Reviewing relevant medical records
• Assessing the facts from accident reports
• Speaking with witnesses to the accident
• Calculating the value of damages in your case
• Determining the liable party or parties
• Consulting with experts and specialists, if needed
• Filing a boating accident lawsuit if negotiations fail

The trustworthy legal team at Morgan & Morgan has decades of experience handling these types of cases. Our maritime law experts will ensure that we exhaust every possible resource in your injury claim.
 
Depending on where your boating accident took place, different regulations and statutes will apply. We will also ensure that your legal claim is filed before the statute of limitations has elapsed.
 
A “statute of limitations” is a legal time limit by which accident victims must pursue financial compensation. If you file a claim after the relevant statute of limitations has passed, your case may be dismissed by the courts.
 
Our firm has attorneys across the nation who are familiar with state and local statutes of limitations. We will file all of the relevant legal documents by the associated deadlines.

While boating accidents can result in injuries, jet ski accidents are even more dangerous. Jet skis are smaller than most other water vessels. Because of this, they leave riders and passengers more exposed to the surrounding environment. If a jet ski collides with another boat, personal injuries are very likely.
 
Jet ski accidents can result from:

• A negligent jet ski operator
• Another boat operator’s negligence
• A faulty jet ski component
• Negligence of a jet ski rental company

No matter what the cause of your jet ski accident might have been, reach out to a skilled injury attorney. Determining liability in these cases can be difficult.
 
The accomplished team at Morgan & Morgan will review the facts of your case to help you determine who is at fault.

Contingency fees are one way in which attorneys can be compensated for their services. With a contingency fee approach, the client and lawyer agree to a specific percentage of the winnings from the case.
 
The client does not pay any attorneys’ fees until their representative successfully settles or wins their case. After the case has concluded, the specified percentage is used to cover the cost of attorneys’ fees.
 
When you hire the skilled legal experts at Morgan & Morgan, you will not pay a dime unless we recover the money that you are rightfully owed. Our compassionate attorneys understand the financial hardships that many injury victims face.
 
That is why our firm operates on a contingency fee basis. This ensures that victims can pursue legal action, regardless of their financial status.

Much like other tort claims, boating accident lawsuits can help victims to pursue repayment for any costs or losses that resulted from their injury. Some of the consequences of boating accidents are monetary and others are intangible.
 
Personal injury victims can claim damages for both types of harm. Some of the most common examples of damages in boating accident cases include:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical costs and expenses
• Property damage
• Lost income from missed work
• Mental trauma

You can claim compensation for almost any type of loss or harm that resulted from your boating accident. The team at Morgan & Morgan will help you estimate the value of your case.

After an accident or injury, it is critical to consult with an experienced legal expert. With the help of a boating accident lawyer, you can recover financial compensation for any losses you have experienced.
 
The team at Morgan & Morgan boasts more than a million successful verdicts and settlements. We will fight tirelessly to get the money that is rightfully yours.
 
Complete the contact form on our website to arrange a no-cost legal evaluation today. Let the accomplished attorneys at Morgan & Morgan fight for you!