A boat is a watercraft for transporting goods or passengers. Maritime lovers can use recreational boats to enjoy the expanse of blue water in the middle of the ocean. Unfortunately, human negligence and natural factors can cause accidents. Reach your boat accidents attorneys, therefore you get comprehensive legal assistance.
It’s important to know the nitty-gritty of boat mishaps if you work at sea or frequently ride by boat. Get your feet wet by reading the entire following discussion!
Overview of Boat Accident
According to information from Forbes, as many as 658 people died in the recreational boat mishap tragedy in the United States in 2021. Although this accident was not fatal, many victims were injured. Surprisingly, around 75% of injured victims were the people operating the ships.
As a matter of fact, the person operating the ship had not undergone ship safety training. Hence, they don’t know what to do quickly when they are in an emergency situation. Although natural factors may also play a role in boat mishaps, these accidents are mostly caused by human negligence.
Since a boat mishap can cause you or your loved ones to be injured or even die, seek legal assistance from credible and competent boat accidents attorneys. The lawyer will assist you in obtaining compensation, therefore you do not suffer huge losses due to the accident.
Who is Liable to the Boat Mishap?
As an accident victim, you cannot determine for yourself who is the party responsible for the accident. The Coast Guard police will conduct an investigation to find out the parties involved. However, Cooney & Conway provide information on commonly liable parties in boat mishaps. Let’s take a peek here!
1. Boat Operator
The first party with a big chance of becoming liable is the boat operator. The reason is an operator must be competent in operating the water vehicle and have undergone training. Aside from that, boat operators are not only able to operate the vehicle properly but also have to consider the safety of their passengers.
Coastguards and boat accidents attorneys will study the accident by investigating and collecting evidence. They will find out the speed of the boat and whether the operator is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If it is proven that the accident was due to the negligence of the boat operator, then they must be liable for the accident.
2. Boat Owner
Boat mishaps can drag down the watercraft owner because they are responsible for the seaworthiness of the ship. The owner must maintain the boat to ensure that safety equipment is available and functioning properly in case of emergency.
If the investigation shows that an accident occurred since the condition of the boat was inadequate and did not meet safety standards, the boat owner must be held responsible. Hence, boat accidents attorneys can file a lawsuit against the boat owner so the injured or deceased victim receives appropriate compensation.
3. Other Boat Passengers
Passengers who do not comply with safety protocols while on the boat have the potential to become liable parties. For instance, the passenger committed a careless act that caused a fire or crime.
If the accident causes the boat to be damaged, the passenger concerned must incur compensation for repairs. Furthermore, passengers who cause an accident must also pay compensation if other passengers or the boat operator are injured or even die.
4. Boat Manufacturer
Boat accidents attorneys can file a lawsuit against the boat manufacturer if the accident is the result of a manufacturing defect. The reason is that defective components do not work properly, causing damage and accidents.
Boat mishap cases rarely occur because usually the factory will observe and test it beforehand. If the investigation results show strong evidence that the accident was caused by a manufacturing defect, the boat manufacturer will be sued.
5. Person or Company Leasing Boat
When you lease a boat, it means you have to be responsible for the maintenance and safety of the watercraft. Leasing that ignores these two things is vulnerable to a lawsuit if the boat has an accident.
Since the claim for compensation filed by the plaintiff is quite large, many companies or leasing companies maintain their boats regularly. Consequently, they can avoid losses in compensation lawsuits.
How Much Compensation for Boat Mishap?
Given that the law has complicated and lengthy regulations, you need the assistance of a boat accident attorneys to take care of boat mishap compensation. Lawyers who specifically handle boat mishap cases have excellent knowledge regarding court requirements and maritime law.
According to Thomson Roger Law, boat mishap victims in Canada are entitled to a maximum compensation of $1,000,000. However, victims must go through a series of proving processes in court to obtain compensation,
So far, no boat mishap victims in Canada have received compensation of more than $1,000,000. Meanwhile, compensation for property damage or loss of goods is limited to a maximum of $500,000.
What are the Potential Injuries for Boat Accident Victims?
Victims of boat mishaps are strongly advised to reach boat accidents attorneys since the injuries resulting from the accident are life-threatening and can have fatal consequences. Let’s explore what injuries a boat mishap victim may suffer according to Lipton Law as follows!
1. Drowning
Vessel accident victims are very likely to drown because they are in water areas. Even though drowning victims survive, they are at risk of suffering brain damage. The reason is, during drowning the brain lacks oxygen supply, causing serious damage.
2. Traumatic Brain Injuries – TBI
Vessel accident victims have the potential to suffer traumatic brain injuries because they hit their heads. Being trapped underwater for a long time can also cause a person a traumatic brain injury as well.
3. Broken Bones
The unstable condition of the vessel causes passengers to easily slip, fall, or collide with other passengers. Consequently, passengers who are victims of accidents also have the potential to suffer broken bones.
4. Spinal Cord Injuries
Vessel accident victims who suffer severe back injuries can develop spinal cord injuries. Moreover, the fatal consequence of spinal cord injuries is permanent disability.
Let’s Reach Your Boat Accidents Attorneys to Claim Compensation
To sum up, having references of the boat accidents attorneys is definitely necessary if you work on a boat or often ride a boat. If the boat you are on has an accident, you can instantly reach out to your lawyer. Therefore, you can submit a claim for compensation through the lawyer you appointed.
