Local lakes, rivers, and streams can provide excellent recreational boating and water sports opportunities. But just like cars and trucks, boats must be operated responsibly and safely.
When the worst happens on the water, and you or a loved one are hurt, a King of Prussia boat accident lawyer can help. An experienced personal injury attorney could guide you through the legal process for getting compensation.
Boat accidents often happen because of the boat’s driver or operator. Just like the driver of a car, the boat’s pilot is responsible for safely operating the vessel and sailing with the appropriate amount of care.
An accident can easily occur when a boat’s operator fails to pay attention or drives the boat while tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving a boat too fast or on choppy water without taking precautions can result in a boat accident and potentially severe injuries.
Those injuries can include significant damage to the brain, the nervous system, and bodily organs from a sudden impact with another vessel or the water. Broken bones, lacerations, and other less-threatening injuries can also come from a boat accident, but so can loss of life by drowning or even an onboard fire.
An attorney can provide crucial support and insight when a person is injured or must care for a loved one who was hurt in a boating accident. A King of Prussia lawyer could document any boat accident injuries and the accident itself and create a claim for compensation.
Most personal injury claims are based on negligence, the legal term for someone’s unreasonable behavior that causes another person’s injuries. An attorney could help an injured person show that someone else should be held responsible for their injuries.
Negligence claims typically involve proving four elements to make someone responsible for another person’s injuries. Those elements are:
For example, a boat operator has a general duty of care to pilot a boat in line with safety standards, so driving while impaired could be a breach of that duty. When the breach causes an accident and injures someone, those injuries could count as damages such as medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The injured person’s actions matter, too, when it comes to negligence. In an accident, the state assigns fault for injuries in percentages to anyone involved. Under 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Annotated § 7102, an injured person’s compensation could be reduced proportionally to how responsible they are for their injuries. They could be barred from receiving any compensation when they are more than 50 percent responsible for their injuries.
People filing personal injury claims have just two years from the time of the accident or from the death of someone injured in the accident when bringing a wrongful death suit to file a claim per 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5224. A boat accident lawyer in King of Prussia could ensure all necessary paperwork is filed before the deadline so the injured party does not lose their ability to bring a lawsuit.
A boat can make happy memories for you and your family, but like any vehicle, it can present risks of injury in the case of an accident. Should an accident happen to you or a loved one, you will not have to face the aftermath alone.
When you enlist the aid of a King of Prussia boat accident lawyer, you will have a professional on your side with experience helping people in your position. Our attorneys bring personal injury expertise and an eye toward supporting our clients. Call now to set up a free case consultation.
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