Boating Accidents Lawyers
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident on the boat then you might be eligible to file a claim against the responsible parties. These claims can help you recover compensation for damages, including medical expenses and related costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
An experienced lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation into your case. This may include gathering witness testimony as well as medical records and other evidence that can help to prove your case.
The Causes of Boating Accidents
Boat accidents can result in serious injuries or even death. These injuries could cause huge losses to victims and their families. This includes loss of income as well as medical expenses and rehabilitation expenses.
There are a myriad of causes of boating accidents, which range from environmental causes to operator error. Many of these accidents would be avoided if the victim was wearing personal flotation devices, or PFD before getting on the boat.
1. Operator Inattention - This is one of the top causes of boating-related accidents across the nation. It is typical for boat operators to be distracted by things or conditions on the water due to they are too focused on the navigational tasks at hand. This can lead to a collision with another vessel or to a rollover accident that can result in severe damage and death.
2. Unsafe Lookout - This may be the case if the boat operator isn't able to find another person to be the person in charge of looking out for any dangerous conditions or objects on the water. This can be a particularly common problem on weekends and holidays where a lot of boats are in the water at the same time.
3. Dangerous Waters They can be awash with rocks, currents and shallow water and other hazards that are difficult to spot, even by experienced boaters. These risks are more dangerous for boaters with less experience, who may not be aware of how to navigate around or avoid them.
4. Equipment Failure - Much like a vehicle, a boat needs to be regularly maintained. It should also have regular inspections to make sure that everything is working properly. A malfunctioning equipment could lead to major issues, such as an unreliable steering mechanism or an engine that is not working properly, which could cause a collision and devastating injuries.
5. Alcohol & Drug Use – In addition to being extremely dangerous and illegal operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol is illegal. Alcohol can cause impairment in decision-making, alcoholism and accidents.
6. Speeding - Though there aren't any speed limit signs on the water, speeding can be an issue when it comes to boating. Speeding can cause a vessel to roll over or collide. It is also difficult to stop a boat quickly when it is moving at high speeds.
Injuries caused by boating accidents
Boating is a very popular recreational activity however it's not without risks. Although the number of accidents involving boats that cause injuries and deaths has decreased significantly in the past few years, it's still important to take your safety and that of your loved ones very seriously.
Accidents can cause serious injuries that can result in costly medical bills and missed work time. It's best to discuss your situation with a Miami lawyer for boating accidents prior to making a claim as obtaining the proper compensation will help you recover from your losses and medical expenses.
Boating accidents can also trigger different types of neck and back injuries as well as traumatizing brain injuries. Depending on the severity, these injuries can result in permanent pain nerve damage, herniated discs and other health issues that last a lifetime.
Burns are a common hazard from boating accidents. Fires on boats can be a result of fuel leaks and electrical short circuits maintenance errors and more. The passengers on boats are at greater risk of burning than those in a vehicle, because fires could start from the engine, or through the wiring.
Lacerations are also a frequent kind of boating injury. They can occur when the propeller blade of a boat strikes the skin of an individual, creating deep cuts that may affect the nerves and muscles beneath the cut.
These injuries can be painful and debilitating one for the sufferers who are often required skin transplant surgeries and months of rehabilitation to heal. In addition, they can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Another major concern for the victims of boating accidents is the risk of spinal cord injuries. Blunt trauma to the spine and spinal cord, along with hyperextension, or pinching of the spinal cord, can cause severe neck and vertebral fractures that can alter mobility and reduce the ability to regulate body functions.
The damage to nerves and impairments that result may result in persistent discomfort, impaired mobility and even Amputation. The victim might also feel depressed and have a sense of feeling helpless.
The most fatal boating crash reported in Florida is drowning. While a victim can survive drowning if they get prompt rescue, it's an extremely frightening situation that could have lasting consequences.
Damages resulting from boating accidents
You could be entitled to compensation if you have been injured in a boating incident or if you've lost a loved on. You can claim damages for medical costs and property damages caused by your injuries. In addition, you could claim compensation for the emotional pain and suffering you endured as a result 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 severe and fatal injuries for passengers who do not wear a life jacket or do not have the proper training to swim.
Anyone who is on a boat to enjoy themselves regardless of whether they are a seasoned waterman or a novice, faces an increased risk of falling overboard. This is a serious danger for anyone impaired by drugs or alcohol or doesn't know how to navigate in the water.
Capsizing, which occurs when a vessel is flipped over or is thrown overboard by powerful waves, can be equally fatal. If this happens, all passengers and crew members can be harmed, ranging from minor to serious.
Boating accidents are often caused by collisions with other vessels particularly in the summer when people take to the water as a form of recreation. Inattention of the operator, poor maintenance, and excessive speed can all play a role in collisions between vessels that can result in serious injuries or fatalities.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident You should seek legal representation right away. A boating accident lawyer can assist you in the claims process and help you obtain compensation for your losses and injuries.
These types of injuries could be common but the most serious could have a long-lasting impact on a victim’s mental and physical health. Injuries such as spinal cord injuries, disfigurement, brain damage broken bones, head trauma can drastically alter the lives of those affected.
In boating accidents, spinal injuries are among the most serious. Blunt trauma and hyperextension can result in a severing or pinching of the spinal cord, which could cause nerve damage, mobility impairments and inability to control bodily functions.
Lawsuits against the government
If you've suffered injuries in an accident while boating due to the negligence of an employee or government agency You may be able to bring a suit against them. However, the procedure of suing a government is usually complicated, and it is recommended that you seek the advice from an experienced attorney.
Depending on your situation depending on your situation, you may be able to sue the government. boat accident attorneys includes the Federal Tort Claims Act, state tort laws, and the local immunity law for the government.
The FTCA is the principal law that governs personal injury lawsuits against the government. The FTCA limits the amount that may be obtained and does not allow punitive damages. Additionally, certain states have damage caps that limit the you can recover.
You can also file a claim against a government entity under the Suits in Admiralty Act (SIAA) or the Public Vessels Act. The SIAA and PVA allow you to sue the government for maritime claims which do not directly involve vessels or vessels owned by the public.
These claims are subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, which means that you are able to sue the federal government in federal court for injury to yourself or another person in the high seas or navigable waters. The SIAA and PVA also provide two years to file a claim to bring a claim against the government.
It is important to remember that the agency has to respond to your claim with six months. If you fail to file your claim by time the period runs out your claim will likely be dismissed and you'll lose the right to recover any damages.
One case against the government we brought recently involved one man who was on the water for six hours after his boat capsized. He was awarded $875,000 by the government in the form of an agreement to settle after filing an negligence suit against the Coast Guard.