Boating Accidents Lawyers
If you or someone close to you was injured in a boating accident you may have the right to file an action against the accountable parties. These claims may help you recover damages such as medical expenses, lost wages and pain and discomfort.
An experienced attorney can conduct a thorough investigation of your case. This may include obtaining witness testimony, medical records and other evidence that will help your case.
The reasons for boating accidents
Accidents on boats can cause serious injuries, or even death. These injuries can result in devastating losses for victims and their families, which can include the loss of income, medical expenses and rehabilitative costs.
Boating accidents can result from a variety of causes, ranging from environmental factors to operator mistakes. Many of these accidents could have been avoided in the event that the victim had worn a personal flotation device, also known as a PFD, prior to stepping onto the water.
1. Operator Inattention is a leading reason for boating accidents in the United States. Boat operators frequently miss objects or conditions in the water when they are focused on their tasks of navigation. This could lead to a collision with another vessel or to a rollover that can cause severe injury and even death.
2. Unsafe Lookout - This may be the case if the boat operator doesn't have someone else designated to watch out for any potentially dangerous conditions or objects in the water. This is a frequent issue on weekends and holidays when there are thousands of boats on the water.
3. Hazardous Waters Hazardous Waters be filled with rocks, currents and shallow water, and other hazards that are difficult to detect, even by experienced boaters. People who aren't experienced are more vulnerable to these hazards since they might not know how to navigate around them or how to avoid them.
4. Equipment Failure Boats, like all vehicles, has to be maintained regularly. Regular inspections are also required to ensure that everything is operating correctly. Faulty equipment can lead to major problems, such as a broken steering mechanism or malfunctioning engines that could cause a collision and severe injury.
5. Alcohol & Drug Use – In addition to being illegal and extremely dangerous, operating a vessel while under the influence is also illegal. Alcohol can lead to impaired decision-making, intoxication and accidents.
6. Speeding - Even though there aren't any speed limit on the water boating can be risky if you speed. Excessive speed can result in a collision or rollover and it is difficult to stop the boat swiftly when driving at high speeds.
Boating accidents can cause injuries.
Boating is a popular leisure activity however, it's not without risk. While the number of boating accidents that result in deaths and injuries has declined drastically over the last few years, it's nonetheless important to take your safety and that of your loved ones seriously.
In the event of an accident victims can suffer serious physical injuries that could cause significant medical bills as well as lost time at work. It is advisable to discuss your situation with a Miami lawyer for boating accidents prior to making a claim, since getting the right compensation will aid in recovering from your injuries and medical expenses.
In boat accident lawyers to traumatic brain injuries and head trauma, boating accidents may cause broken bones and a variety of types of back and neck injuries. Depending on the severity of the injury, these injuries could cause permanent pain nerve damage, herniated discs and other lifelong health concerns.
Burns are a different type of injury that occurs from boating accidents. The possibility of fires on boats is because of fuel leaks or electrical short circuits. Boat passengers are more susceptible of being burned than passengers in a vehicle, because fires can start from the engine, or through the wiring.
Lacerations can also be a common boating injury. The propellers of a boat can cause deep cuts to the skin, which can cause damage to nerves and muscles.
These injuries can be a painful and debilitating for those who suffer who usually require skin surgery to repair the graft and months of rehabilitation to heal. In addition, they may result in permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Spinal cord injuries are another major concern for victims of boat accidents. Trauma to the spine that is not severe and hyperextension or pinching of spinal cord, can result in severe neck and vertebral fractures, which can alter mobility and reduce the ability to control body functions.
The resulting nerve damage and impairments could result in chronic pain, diminished mobility and even an amputation. A victim may be depressed and feel feeling of helplessness.
The most frequent fatal boating accident that occurs in Florida is drowning. While a victim can survive drowning if they get prompt help, it's a terrifying situation that can cause lasting damage.
Damages resulting from boating accidents
If you've been injured or lost someone you love in a boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation. You can claim damages to cover medical expenses and property damages caused by your injuries. You may also be able to claim compensation for emotional pain and suffering as consequence of your injuries.
The most frequent causes of boating-related accidents are falling overboard, capsizes, and collisions with fixed objects or other boats. These accidents can cause grave and fatal injuries to those who don't wear a life jacket, or have not been properly trained.
Anyone who takes the water to relax regardless of whether they are a seasoned boater or novice, is at a high chance of falling overboard. It's a very serious risk for anyone who is impaired by drugs or alcohol, or does not know how to navigate on the water.
Capsizing, which happens when a vessel is flipped over or is tossed into the ocean by waves that are powerful, can be deadly. When this happens, both passengers and crew members can suffer injuries that range from mild to serious.
Collisions with other vessels are a frequent cause of boating accidents particularly in summer, when people are on the water for recreation. Inattention of the operator, malfunctioning equipment, and excessive speed are all causes that can lead to collisions between vessels that could cause serious injuries or even fatalities.
If you or someone close to you is injured in a boating accident You should seek legal representation right away. An experienced lawyer in boating accidents can assist you through the claims process and secure compensation for your injuries and losses.
Although these types of injuries are relatively common, the most serious ones can have long-lasting effects on a victim's physical and mental health. For example, spinal cord injuries, disfigurement and brain damage can have a significant impact on victims' lives.
Spinal cord injuries are usually the most severe injury victims suffer from in boating accidents. Blunt trauma and hyperextension can result in a severing or pinching of the spinal cord. This can lead to injury to the nerve, impairments in mobility and a loss of control over bodily functions.
Suits Against the Government
You could be able to sue a government official or agency if you have been injured in a boating accident due to their negligence. However the procedure of suing a government agency is often complex, so you should seek the help of an experienced lawyer.
Depending on the situation, you may be able to sue the government in accordance with different laws. Some of these include the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and state tort claims statutes and local government immunity acts.
The FTCA is the principal law that governs personal injury lawsuits against the government. The FTCA regulates punitive damages, and also imposes limits on the amount of money that can be recovered in these suits. In addition, some states have damage caps that limit the much you can recover.
You can also bring a claim against an agency of the government under the Suits in Admiralty Act or the Public Vessels Act. The SIAA and PVA permit you to sue the government for maritime claims which do not directly involve ships or vessels that are 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 if you suffer injury to yourself or a person on the high seas or navigable waters. The SIAA and PVA also provide a two-year statute of limitations to bring a lawsuit against the government.
It is important to keep in mind that the agency must respond to your claim within six months. If you do not file your claim within the timeframe then your claim is likely to be dismissed and you'll lose the right to collect damages.
A man was stranded on the water after his boat capsized for six hours. He was able win $875,000 in compensation from the government as a consent judgment following the filing of a negligence case against the Coast Guard for its failure to help the man.