Boating Accidents Lawyers
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident on the boat then you might be eligible to bring a claim against responsible parties. These claims can help you obtain compensation for damages, such as medical expenses and related costs, lost wages and suffering and pain.
An experienced lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation into your case. This can include collecting witness testimony, medical records, and other evidence that will help your case.
Boating Accidents: Causes and Prevention
Accidents on boats can cause serious injuries, or even death. These injuries can cause substantial losses to victims and their families. This includes loss of income medical expenses, loss of income, and rehabilitation costs.
Boating accidents can be caused by a variety of causes, ranging from environmental factors to errors made by the operator. Many of these accidents could have been avoided in the event that the victim had worn a personal flotation device, or PFD, before getting on the water.
1. Operator Inattention Attention of the Operator - This is among the leading causes of boating-related accidents across the nation. Boat operators frequently miss objects or water conditions when they are focused on their tasks of navigation. This can lead to a collision with another vessel or to a rollover crash that can result in severe damage and fatalities.
2. Improper Lookout: This could occur when the boat operator is not accompanied by a person to be responsible for watching for any dangers or hazards on the water. This is a frequent issue during holidays and weekends when there are hundreds of boats on the water.
3. Dangerous Waters - These waters can be filled with rocks, currents, shallow water, and other hazards that are difficult to identify, even by experienced boaters. These dangers are more dangerous for boaters with less experience, who may not know how navigate around them or how to avoid them.
4. Equipment Failure - A boat, like any vehicle, needs to be maintained regularly. Regular inspections are essential to ensure that everything is functioning correctly. Incorrect equipment can cause serious issues, like an unreliable steering mechanism or malfunctioning engine, which can cause a crash and catastrophic injury.
5. Alcohol & Drug Use - In addition to being illegal, operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol is extremely risky. It can result in impairment in decision-making and intoxication, that can result in accidents and deaths.
6. Speeding - Although there are no speed limit signs posted on the water, speeding is still an issue when it is related to boating. In excess speed, you could cause a collision or rollover and it can be difficult to stop a boat quickly when driving at high speeds.
Injuries from boating accidents
Boating is an activity that is popular for recreation, but it's also fraught with risks. While the number of boating accidents that result in deaths and injuries has decreased significantly over the last few years, it is still vital to take your safety and that of your loved ones very seriously.
Accidents can result in serious injuries that can lead to expensive medical expenses and lost time at work. Before filing a claim for compensation, it is recommended to seek out a Miami boating injury lawyer. This will help you recover your medical expenses and losses.
In addition to traumatic brain injuries and head injuries, boating accidents can cause broken bones and various kinds of neck and back injuries. These injuries could cause permanent pain, nerve damage and herniated disks, depending on their severity.
Burns are a common injury caused by boating accidents. The fires that happen on boats could be a result of fuel leaks and electrical short circuits maintenance mistakes and more. The risk of burning passengers on a boat is greater than in a car because fires can spread through the wiring or the engine.
Lacerations can also be a frequent boating injury. The propeller of a vessel can cause deep cuts on the skin, which can cause damage to nerves and muscles.
These injuries can be a painful and debilitating experience for victims who typically require skin surgery to repair the graft and months of rehabilitation to heal. Additionally, they could result in permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Spinal cord injuries are a major concern for victims of boat accidents. Trauma to the spine that is not severe, as well as excessive extension or pinching of spinal cord, could result in severe neck or vertebral fractures. boat accident attorneys near me can alter mobility and reduce the ability to regulate body functions.
The damage to the nerve and the impairments that result may result in chronic discomfort, impaired mobility and even amputation. The victim might also feel depressed and have a sense of being in a state of helplessness.
Drowning is among the most frequently reported fatal boating accident in Florida. Although a person can avert drowning if they are given prompt help, it's an extremely frightening situation that could result in long-lasting consequences.
Damages Caused by Boating Accidents
If you've been injured or lost someone you love in an accident on the water, you may be entitled to compensation. The damages you are able to recover comprise the cost of the medical treatment you received and any property damage your injuries caused. Additionally, you can claim compensation for the emotional pain and suffering you endured due to your injuries.
Most boating accidents happen due to falling overboard, capsizing, or collisions with other vessels or fixed objects. These accidents can cause severe and fatal injuries to those who are not wearing a life jacket or do not have the proper training to swim.
Anyone who is on the water to relax regardless of whether they are a seasoned waterman or a novice, faces the chance of falling overboard. It's a very serious danger for anyone impaired by alcohol or drugs or who isn't aware of how to navigate in water.
Capsizing can be fatal when the vessel is tossed or overturned by strong waves. In the event of this, all people on board and their operators may suffer injuries ranging from mild to serious.
Collisions with other vessels are a frequent reason for boating accidents especially during summer when people take to the water for fun. Operator negligence, improper maintenance, and excessive speed can all play a part 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 as soon as possible. A lawyer for boating accidents can help you navigate through the claims process and help you recover compensation for your injuries and losses.
While these kinds of injuries are quite common, the most severe ones can have lasting effects on a victim's physical and mental well-being. Injuries such as spinal cord injuries, disfigurement, brain damage broken bones, head traumas can dramatically alter the lives of victims.
In boating accidents, spinal cord injuries are among the most serious. Hyperextension and blunt trauma can sever or pinch the spinal cord, which can cause injury to the nerve, impairments in mobility and a loss of control over bodily functions.
Lawsuits Against the Government
You could claim a civil suit against a government worker or agency if you've been injured in a boating incident due to their negligence. The procedure of suing the government could be a bit complicated. It is recommended to consult an experienced lawyer.
Depending on your situation depending on your situation, you may be able to sue the government. These include the Federal Tort Claims Act, state tort claims laws, and local immunity laws for government.
The FTCA is the primary law that governs personal injury lawsuits against the government. The FTCA rules out punitive damages and sets limits on the amount of money that can be recovered in these lawsuits. Some states also have damage caps which limit the amount you can recover.
You can also submit a claim against a government agency in accordance with the Suits in Admiralty Act (SIAA) or the Public Vessels Act. The SIAA and PVA permits you to sue government agencies for maritime-related claims that do not directly relate to ships or public vessels.
These claims are subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, which means that you are able to sue the government in federal court for an injury to yourself or a person on the high seas or navigable waters. The SIAA and PVA also give you two years to file a claim to bring a claim against the government.
It is important to remember that the agency must respond to your complaint within six months. If you fail to submit your claim by deadline your claim will likely be dismissed and you'll be denied the right to seek damages.
One instance of a lawsuit against the government we recently brought involved one man who was alone in the water for six hours after his boat fell. He was able get $875,000 in compensation from the government in a consent judgment after filing an action for negligence against the Coast Guard for its failure to save him.