People who have been injured in a maritime accident or boating accident due to the negligence of another person may have a personal injury claim under admiralty law. As a boat accident victim, you could receive financial compensation for your injuries, medical treatments, missed work time, and pain and suffering, as well as future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and emotional distress.
Call the Philadelphia Injury Law Firm at (215) 557-8686.
Your best chance to receive the most compensation for your injuries comes from working with a personal injury lawyer who will investigate your case, file your lawsuit, and pursue full and fair compensation on a contingency basis with no upfront costs.
How Do Boat Accidents Happen?
Most of us go to the lake, river, or ocean for a day of fun in the sun and relaxation on a boat. But sometimes, serious and even deadly accidents happen. These are the most common reasons for boat accidents, including jet ski accidents, pontoon boat collisions, sailboat accidents, and yacht injuries:
- Careless and reckless boat operation. Many people operating their boats do so unsafely. For example, the boat driver may allow you to sit in a dangerous position when the boat is moving. Other dangerous violations include breaking low wake rules; failing to maintain a safe distance from other boats; inattention; failure to yield; and too many passengers. These preventable actions can lead to vessel collisions, capsizing, and catastrophic injuries.
- Speeding. All boats and watercraft should never exceed the speed limit for that body of water. Far too many serious accidents happen from speeding. Suddenly, the boat captain can lose control and cause terrible or even fatal injuries to passengers.
- Drinking. Everyone operating a boat or watercraft must obey the exact same laws as drivers do on the road. No one may drive a boat with a BAC above .08%. If the boat operator is drinking and causes you personal injury, there could be serious criminal and civil penalties. In Pennsylvania, a convicted drunk boater can be fined up to $12,500 and put in jail for five years. Plus, the convicted criminal may be sued in civil court for injuries caused to other parties. An intoxicated or impaired operator creates severe risks for all passengers and nearby vessels.
- Inexperienced operator. Many boat operators simply lack the skills and experience to operate a watercraft safely. These factors can cause a serious boat crash, swimming accident, water skiing accident, or tubing accident, as well as propeller injuries, dock accidents, and marina injuries. If you are injured in one of these scenarios, you may be able to sue for damages and prove negligence through witness statements, police reports, and accident reconstruction.
- General recklessness. The boat operator has responsibility for everyone in the watercraft. It is essential for the operator to keep everyone seated while the boat is moving. The line of sight must be clear. The operator also must ensure that any water-skiing or tubing is done safely. A designated observer must be used at all times in these activities.
- Poor weather. All boaters must ensure that their safety equipment is in good working condition. It is each operator’s responsibility to pay close attention to the weather forecast. If it is not safe to go out, the operator must not go out.
Boat Accident Attorney
Boat accidents can cause serious injury and death just as a car accident can. Negligent and careless actions often cause terrible boating accidents. Our dedicated and compassionate legal counsel will investigate the circumstances of your accident, document all evidence, file your claim within the statute of limitations, and litigate your case if necessary to secure substantial compensation. We handle wrongful death cases for families who have lost loved ones, and we represent plaintiffs against defendants in complex maritime litigation. If you would like to speak to an attorney, please email or call our office today for a free consultation (215) 557-8686 to receive a same-day response and comprehensive case evaluation.
Our experienced attorneys will prove operator negligence, handle all insurance claim negotiations, secure medical treatment for injured clients, and provide trial representation if your case goes to court. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no retainer and there are no upfront costs. We also offer home visits and hospital visits to meet clients where they are most comfortable.
Understanding what to do after a boat accident is critical. We guide clients through the legal process, explain how long boat accident cases take, help determine what your boat accident case is worth, and provide clear answers about boat accident settlement amounts. Our attorneys have courtroom experience and trial experience, with successful results in obtaining compensation for property damage recovery, punitive damages, and wrongful death benefits for surviving family members.
