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Personal Injury Claims After a Boating Accident

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Boating is considered one of the greatest spring and summer past times. Being on the water is one of the most relaxing spring and summer activities out there, whether it is to fish, ski, tube, or to just feel the gentle sway of the water.

However, disaster can strike when you least expect it. If you or someone you know is injured in a boating accident, whether as an operator or a passenger, there are a few things to be aware of if you need to receive compensation to cover the damages sustained by the boat accident.

In order to hold anyone else liable for the boat accident or the damages and injuries you sustained, you must be able to prove that your injury is a direct result of someone else’s negligence. The simple fact that you were injured does not mean that someone was acting negligibly. The definition for negligence is “failure to take proper care.” Therefore, you and your legal team must prove that someone failed to take proper care when you received your injury.

There are a few possible ways for boating accidents to occur. Each one presents its own challenges when attempting to prove negligence.

Proving Negligence In A Boating Accident

Proving negligence comes with its own set of challenges in boating accidents. Because of the dynamics of momentum on water and physics, both boat operators are likely to be partially at fault in a boating accident. Therefore, if you are a passenger on a boat when you were injured, you have a possible legal case against both boat operators.

If you were one of the boat operators, you could only file a claim against the other operator. To successfully win that claim, you must show that at least 50% of the accident was not your fault. If the collision was between a sailboat and a motorboat, the motorboat is more likely to be at fault. This is because motorboats provide more control than sailboats. Because of this, there is a law that directs motorboats to stay out of the way of sailboats.

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Boating Accident Causes

There is also danger in hitting another boat’s “wake” or the waves that other boats leave behind as they move across the water. The jolt that ensues can throw the passengers and operators out of their seat or maybe even off the boat. The boat driver’s liability in the event of someone getting hurt after jumping a wake can depend on a few things. How big was the wake? How fast was the boat going when it hit the wake?

The area around where the incident occurred will also need to be assessed. The visibility of the area and the amount of traffic in the area at the time of the accident will be investigated. Finally, if the operator was able to warn his passengers before the collision will be considered. It is also worth mentioning that liability can change drastically depending on if it is a motorboat or a sailboat.

It is also possible for the operator that created the wake to be considered negligent. For instance, marinas are usually considered no wake zones, and any wake made in them can be considered negligence. Also, if a boat speeds through a high traffic area and their wake causes injury, they are liable for those injuries.

Hitting a natural wave works like hitting a wake does, except there is no other boat operator that could be held liable.

No matter how clear and beautiful the water is, there is always a chance of hitting a submerged object. The impact of the collision can cause serious damage to the boat and the passengers on it. The operator’s negligence will depend on the circumstances of the crash. If the operator is properly using his or her boat, it is likely that there can be no claims against them. However, if they are speeding through shallow waters during a fog, they could be held liable for negligence.

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Additional Boating Liabilities

An operator can be considered negligent if they do not carry the proper safety equipment on their boat, such as life jackets, flare guns, and fire extinguishers. While the lack of these items will not cause a crash, these items are vital in the event of a boating accident. A boat operator should have a reasonable amount of safety equipment on their boat in order to keep their passengers safe. Failure to do so is negligence.

If you or someone you know has been injured by a boat operator who has no boat insurance and no major assets, receiving compensation from that boat operator might prove to be especially challenging. Even if they are at fault, they could be unable to pay you damages. It is possible that home insurance will be able to pay for some of the claim, but it is unlikely. You will need an experienced boat accident attorney to guide you through recovering damages you sustained at the mercy of an uninsured boat operator.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a boating accident, and you believe it was due to someone else’s negligence, contact an experienced boat wreck lawyer. They will work to make sure you and your loved ones are adequately compensated for their injuries.

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