Boating, water injuries and why you need a Los Angeles boat accident attorney

    If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a boating or water accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have grounds to pursue legal action against them. You may be entitled to monetary compensation for your medical treatment, lost wages for time spent away from work as well as your personal pain and suffering. In order to get the compensation you deserve, you will need the assistance of a boat accident / water injury attorney who has the experience and legal sensitivity to your particular injury and cause of action.

What causes boat accidents?

    Many accidents involving boating and water injuries can be avoided. Most are caused by the inexperience or carelessness of the boat’s operator. The risks of running a watercraft are clearly misunderstood by many people engaging in water sports. The State of California reported in 2004 that capsizing was the most frequent cause of fatal boating accidents, accompanied by collisions with other boats, and passengers falling overboard. In many incidents, alcohol consumption is a factor. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that water vessel drivers with a blood alcohol content above .10 are over ten times more likely to be killed in an accident than a non-drinking operator. It is also reported that in California, 38% of fatal boating accidents in the year 2004 involved the consumption of alcohol.

    Boats and personal watercraft, such as Jet-Skis, Wave Runners, and Ski-Doos, are powerful machines that can cause severe injury if not properly handled or maintained. Inflatable rafts, kayaks, and canoes bear their own unique hazards. As previously mentioned some of the most serious accidents involving watercraft include collisions with other vessels, fixed objects or swimmers, as well as falls overboard, running aground in shallow water, and water skiing or wakeboarding mishaps.

    When a water accident involves the collision of two boats, typically, at least one of the boats has broken a law governing the operation of water vessels such as the failure to obey speed limits or the prohibition on swerving abruptly and in a reckless manner. For example, one boat may have failed to give the other boat the right of way resulting in an avoidable collision. A boat captain and his owner must show the utmost care to avoid injury to boat passengers, other boaters, and swimmers alike and the carelessness of the boat owner makes them responsible for any injury caused by their negligence.

Contact an experienced attorney

    If you were injured in a boating or water accident, getting proper medical treatment, paying and covering your medical bills, ensuring you don’t lose wages or income, and ensuring that any future treatment you may need is covered is probably a major concern for you. We recognize that this is probably an extremely stressful time in your life and our knowledgeable attorneys will educate you about your available options and collaborate with the insurance companies and insurers involved to ensure that all your needs are addressed quickly and fairly. Preserving evidence in a boating accident is of the utmost priority and therefore you should contact an experienced boating accident attorney as soon as possible.