Boat and Ship Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles

Causes of Boating and Ship Accidents

Boating accidents can happen anywhere, anytime and to anyone. A boating injury can happen while you’re on a boat owned by a friend or family member such as slipping and falling on a wet surface or by attempting to use a boat ladder that is faulty. If you’re sailing, the rope could come loose, swing around and hit you. Various parts of the boat can injure you too. Examples of accidents that might occur while boating are:

• Failure to follow boating rules
• Speeding
• Not wearing life jackets
• Jet ski accidents
• Water ski accidents
• Operator error
• Drunk driving
• Careless driving
• Reckless driving
• Unlicensed boating
• Wrecking with another boat
• Weather-related issues

The dangerous maritime situations above might lead to injuries like:

• Broken bones
• Injured neck
• Lacerations
• Head injury
• Brain injury
• Concussion
• Sprains
• Drowning

Depending on the circumstance, if you suffered an injury while boating, you may have cause to bring about a lawsuit. It’s difficult for those without a legal background to size the situation up to determine if you have a good case or not. That’s where we come in. Give us a call and let’s talk about it.

Who’s Responsible for Boating Accidents?

Even though the weather or another extenuating factor may have played a role in the boating accident, it is the owner of the boat’s responsibility to keep you safe while you are onboard.

In many instances, the individual who owns the boat and/or who is operating is legally responsible for any injury that takes place while on the boat ride. If a boat wreck occurred, the owner of the other boat would be liable if the accident was their fault.

There is also the scenario of commercial boating accidents. Cruise ships, class boats, tour boats, and more are owned and operated by companies. The business that owns the boat is responsible for injuries that take place on board providing the owner and/or operator did not adhere to the high level of safety required for individuals on the boat.

If a boat was sold with defective parts or structural issues, the company can be sued for an accident that takes place because of the issue. In that case, the company would be responsible for paying damages and losses.

The responsible party of a boating accident isn’t always cut and dry. There are many things to consider and points to prove. If you aren’t sure who is liable for your maritime accident, call our law firm. We are experts in boating accidents.

The Process of Suing for Boating Injuries

You may be wondering, “How can I sue for injuries in a boating accident?” There are several main factors when it comes to personal injury boating lawsuits. You must be able to prove that there was a certain level of negligence in that a a duty of care you were entitled to was violated and that the failure to ensure your safety led to injury. To provide adequate proof, you may include one or more of the following”

• Photos of the boat and the defect
• Photos of the incident scene
• Photos of your injuries
• Videos of the incident
• Statements from other boat passengers or other witnesses
• A receipt proving you were a paying commercial boat customer
• A police, Coast Guard, or other authoritative report

First and foremost, seek medical attention immediately. Cooperate with any medical care and follow-ups. Save receipts, x-rays, doctor statements, and everything else associated with the medical care. Take photos of your injury as soon as you are able to do so.

Contact a boat accident lawyer like the Law Offices of Jacob O. Partiyeli. We are boating lawsuit experts. We will fight for your compensation.

Boating Accident Statute of Limitations

You may be wondering how long you have to file a lawsuit in your personal injury boating accident case. In the state of California, you are allowed two years. If you don’t file within this time frame, you won’t be compensated with only a few rare exceptions. Call today and let’s get busy on your boating accident case.

What is a Boating Accident Lawsuit Worth?

The amount your boating accident lawsuit is worth heavily depends on the injuries you sustained and the medical bills you incurred. It also hinges on how much of an impact the injuries had on your life and your career. The future impact of the injuries should also be considered, and we’ll make sure they are. We leave no stone unturned. We will fight to bring you compensation for:

• Medical expenses – past, future, and present including doctor visits, hospitalization, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, etc.
• Lost income – all time off work due to the injury as well as doctor appointments, physical therapy, and any other reason pertaining to the injury or legal implications
• Property damage – recovery for any personal items damaged or destroyed
• Pain and suffering – you should be compensated for physical and emotional trauma
• Wrongful death damages – if there was a death, the funeral and burial expenses should be covered as well as loss of inheritance, pre-death medical expenses, and emotional compensation

If you are a victim of a boating accident, you should not be expected to pay. It is the responsibility of the owner and/or operator of the boat to compensate you. We will fight to you to ensure your expenses and more are fully covered. Call today to find out what we can do for you.