If you or a person you love was hurt in a boating accident, the road to recovery can be long and painful, and there is a good chance that the medical bills and lost wages are already taking a toll on your family. In these difficult circumstances, filing a lawsuit to recover damages might seem too difficult to think about.
Under Florida law, victims of someone else’s reckless or careless behavior—including that which occurs out on the water—can pursue compensation for their injuries with an injury attorney’s help. If you were injured due to a boat crash, collision, or any other similar type of incident, contacting a Tarpon Springs boat accident lawyer may be in your best interests.
Causes of Boating Accidents
Whether or not a victim can file a lawsuit in a boating accident depends on their ability to prove someone else responsible for the incident. For example, if a boat captain was under the influence of alcohol or did not have enough safety gear on board, those issues could constitute evidence of legal negligence and could form the basis of a personal injury lawsuit if their negligent behavior results in injury to someone else.
Boating accidents can be caused by reckless behavior, operation of a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, failure to follow waterway rules, or even explosions due to mishandled gasoline. Gathering evidence of any potential negligence could be crucial to a plaintiff’s odds of success in their case, as could hiring a qualified Tarpon Springs boat accident attorney to help construct a comprehensive demand for compensation.
Boating Accident Liability
Filing a lawsuit for a boating accident is rarely as simple as naming the boat operator as the liable defendant. In fact, more than one party might be responsible for damages stemming from a boat-related incident.
For instance, the manufacturer of any defective boating parts or the employer of the boat captain could also become part of a boating accident lawsuit. An investigation and the use of expert witnesses could help establish the liability of multiple parties in settlement negotiations or in court.
Damages paid out in boating accident claims can include compensation for lost wages due to missed time at work, lost earning capacity, medical bills, future medical bills, and various non-economic losses like pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. A boat crash lawyer in Tarpon Springs could help a plaintiff determine what types of damages they may be able to recover for in their case.
Choosing a Tarpon Springs Boating Accident Attorney
The selection of your legal counsel could crucial to protecting your interests when filing a boating accident claim. A dedicated attorney could interview witnesses, gather evidence to show that a breach of legal duty occurred, help you retain expert witnesses, and review accident reports to prepare a strong case on your behalf.
A seasoned Tarpon Springs boat accident lawyer with experience representing plaintiffs in similar personal injury cases could work to understand how your injuries have affected your life and keep you informed at each stage of the case. Whether the incident was caused by reckless operation or poor boating maintenance, you may deserve compensation for your injuries. Call today to learn more about your options.
