Boating accidents are common, especially when the weather is warm. Unfortunately, what might seem like a perfect day for jet skis, boating, or other watercraft might turn into a nightmare. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s annual statistics, boating accidents happen for a variety of reasons including operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and alcohol use ranked as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.
If you have been hurt in a boating accident, you may find yourself wondering what your legal rights are. If someone else is at fault, are you entitled to file a lawsuit for compensation as you would in a car accident? What do you need to prove that you deserve compensation?
If you, or someone you love, has been injured in any type of watercraft accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering. It is important to contact a personal injury attorney in Tampa with Inkelaar Law after a boating accident to understand the rights that you have specific to your case.
Proving that you were hurt is not the only important factor in holding the right parties responsible after a boating accident. To determine your legal rights after a boating accident, a boating accident personal injury lawyer will need to determine if you were a victim of:
To prove one of these were the case, the attorney will investigate a variety of factors, including:
Your attorney may interview a variety of witnesses. This will include anyone on the vessel, on nearby vessels, and anyone else who might have seen what happened. Even though witnesses might have been interviewed by the police, your attorney might still need to take a separate statement or deposition from them.
If you were injured in a boating accident, it is important to get a report from the Coast Guard or other local law enforcement agency. Your attorney will need to review these reports, and will utilize them in negotiation or even trial. However, it should be noted that although a report might be filed, it might not name the at-fault party or the investigation may not be complete. While the police or Coast Guard are working to understand the cause of the injuries and accident, your boating accident personal injury lawyer in Tampa will be completing their own investigation.
Boating accidents are difficult waters to navigate (pun intended). Contact the skilled legal team with Inkelaar Law if you have been injured in a boating accident to understand your rights. Your attorney will investigate the cause of the accident and help you hold the negligent and at-fault parties accountable. Contact Inkelaar Law for a free case evaluation any time of day or night.
If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, please give us a call for free consultation at (813) 722-0622, or submit our consultation request form.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
