Boating Accidents Lawyers
If you or someone you care about was injured in an accident on the water, you may be eligible to make a claim against the responsible parties. These claims can help you obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and discomfort.
A seasoned lawyer can conduct an exhaustive investigation of your case. This can include collecting medical records, witness testimony, and other evidence that can strengthen your case.
The reasons for boating accidents
Accidents on boats can result in serious injuries, or even death. These injuries can lead to significant losses for victims and their families. This includes the loss of income, medical expenses, and rehabilitative costs.
Boating accidents can result from a variety of factors, ranging from environmental factors to errors made by the operator. Many of these accidents could have been avoided if the person who was injured had worn a personal flotation device, or PFD, prior to stepping onto the water.
1. Operator Inattention Operator Inattention - This is among the leading causes of boating accidents nationwide. It is normal for boat operators to be distracted by objects or conditions on the water since they are too focused on the navigational task at the forefront. This can lead to the possibility of a rollover collision which can result in severe injury or even death.
2. Improper Lookout: This could be the case if the boat operator has no other person to be responsible for watching for any hazardous objects or conditions on the water. boat accident lawyer near me is a common issue during holidays and weekends when there are thousands of boats on the water.
3. Dangerous Waters These waters could be filled with rocks, currents and shallow water and other hazards that are difficult to spot, even for experienced boaters. People who aren't experienced are more vulnerable to these hazards, since they might not know how to navigate around them or avoid them.
4. Equipment Failure Boats, as with any vehicle, needs to be maintained regularly. It should also undergo regular inspections to ensure everything is functioning properly. A malfunctioning equipment could cause major problems like a damaged engine or steering mechanism that can cause crash.
5. Alcohol & Drug Use – In addition to being extremely dangerous and illegal, operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal. Alcohol can cause impairment in decision-making, alcoholism and accidents.
6. Speeding - Even though there are no speed limit signs posted on the water, speeding is a concern when it comes to boating. Speeding can cause a boat to roll over or collision. It can also be difficult to stop a boat quickly when it is moving at high speeds.
Injuries caused by boating accidents
Boating is a popular activity for recreation, but it's also fraught with risks. Despite the fact that the number of accidents and deaths resulting from boating accidents has declined significantly in recent years, it's vital to take your safety and that of your loved ones seriously when on the water.
Accidents can result in serious injuries that can lead to expensive medical bills and lost work time. Before filing a claim for compensation, it's best to speak with an Miami boating injury lawyer. This will assist you to get your medical expenses covered and losses.
Boating accidents can also result in various types of neck and back injuries as well as traumatizing brain injuries. The severity of the injuries will vary. these injuries can result in permanent pain, disc herniation, nerve damage as well as other health issues that can last for a lifetime.
Burns are a common hazard caused by boating accidents. Boat fires can result from fuel leaks and electrical short circuits maintenance errors, and much more. Passengers on boats are at greater risk of burning than those in a vehicle, as a fire could originate from the engine or through the wiring.
Lacerations can also be a common boating injury. The propellers of vessels can cause deep cuts on the skin that can affect nerves and muscles.
These injuries can be painful and debilitating experience for victims, who often require skin graft surgeries and months of rehabilitation to heal. They can also cause permanent disfigurement and scarring.
Another major concern for the victims of boating accidents is spinal cord injuries. Blunt trauma to the spine and the spinal cord, as well as hyperextension or pinching of the spinal cord, could lead to severe neck and vertebral injuries, which could affect mobility and the ability to control body functions.
The nerve damage and impairments that result can lead to persistent discomfort, impaired mobility and even the possibility of amputation. The victim might also be depressed and feel a sense of helplessness.
Drowning is among the most frequently reported fatal boating accident in Florida. While a victim can survive drowning if he or she receives prompt rescue, it's an incredibly frightening scenario that could result in lasting consequences.
Damages from Boating Accidents
If you've suffered injuries or lost a loved one in an accident on the water, you may be entitled to compensation. The damages you could recover comprise the cost of your medical treatment as well as any property damage your injuries have caused. Additionally, you may claim compensation for the emotional pain and suffering you endured due to your injuries.
Most boating injuries are because of falling overboard, capsizing and collisions with other boats or fixed objects. These accidents can cause severe and fatal injuries for passengers who do not wear a life jacket, or aren't properly trained.
The risk of falling overboard is a significant risk for anyone who gets aboard a vessel for pleasure regardless of whether they're an avid boater or just a beginner. It's also a huge risk for those who are intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, or who aren't familiar with the water conditions.
Capsizing could be fatal if an object is tossed or flipped by strong waves. When this happens, both passengers and crew members can suffer injuries that range from mild to severe.
Boating accidents are usually caused by collisions with other boats especially in summer when people enjoy the water for a day of recreation. Operator negligence, defective equipment and excessive speed are all causes that can result in collisions between boats, which can result in serious injuries or even death.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident it is important to seek legal assistance immediately. A boating accident lawyer can assist you in the claims process to successfully obtain compensation for your losses and injuries.
These types of injuries might be commonplace but the most severe could have a long-lasting impact on a victim’s mental and physical health. Injury to the spinal cord and brain injuries, as well as disfigurement can have a profound impact on the lives of victims.
Spinal cord injuries are typically the most serious injuries that victims suffer from boating accidents. Hyperextension and trauma that is not severe enough can result in a severing or pinching of the spinal cord, which could lead to injuries to the nerve, mobility impairments and inability to control bodily functions.
Lawsuits against the Government
If you've suffered injuries in an accident on the water due to the negligence of an employee or agency of the government and you are injured, you may be able to file an action against them. However the process of suing the government is typically difficult, and you should seek the help of an experienced lawyer.
Depending on the situation, you may be able to sue the government under a variety of laws. This includes the Federal Tort Claims Act, state tort laws, and local immunity legislation for government.
The FTCA is a primary law that governs personal injuries lawsuits against the government. The FTCA regulates punitive damages, and also imposes limits on the amount of money that can be recovered in these lawsuits. In addition, some states have damage caps that limit how you can recover.
You may also file an action against an agency of the government under the Suits in Admiralty Act or the Public Vessels Act. The SIAA and PVA allow you to sue the government for maritime claims that do not directly involve ships or public vessels.
These claims are under the jurisdiction of the United States, which means that you are able to sue the government in federal court to remedy an injury to yourself or a person in the high seas or navigable waters. The SIAA and PVA provide you with two years to bring a claim.
It's important to keep in mind that the agency must respond to your claim within six months. If you do not file your claim within that time the claim is likely to be dismissed and you will lose your right to recover damages.
A man was with no water to swim to after his boat sank for six hours. He won $875,000 from the government as a result of a consent judgement after filing an negligence suit against the Coast Guard.