Boat Accident Lawyer in Homestead, FL
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When you sustain an injury from a boat accident, you can hire a professional attorney to help you claim monetary compensation.
As per the reports by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida tops the list of states with the highest number of annual boating accidents. Not all of these accidents are the fault of the victim; in fact, most cases are the result of the actions of other parties.
The U.S. Coast Guard points out that even though alcohol is the number one contributor to boat accidents, inexperienced operators and over-speeding also lead to boating accidents and serious injuries. Many such accidents result in severe property damages and even fatalities. You could be a victim yourself, or perhaps you may be a family member of the deceased from the accident. Regardless of the situation, we can help you file a claim for damages and to sue for compensation for all pain, injuries, and associated costs that have been inflicted on you.
Common Boat Accident Injuries
- Head and Brain Injury – Head and brain injuries may result from blunt force trauma or a lack of oxygen, both of which can have serious and long-lasting effects, if not death, on the victim of the accident
- Concussions/fractures – These types of injuries are also common, especially when you and other passengers are thrown off the boat and collide into an object or another boat
- Spinal cord injury
- Drowning
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Amputation
- Hypothermia
Many of the physical injuries that result from boating accidents – especially internal injuries – can only be identified by a professional physician. This is why seeking medical attention should be the first thing you do after a boating accident. Once you have received treatment, be sure to document every detail of your case, including all your medical bills, the treatment and procedures you receive, and all medical reports. This documentation will come in handy when claiming compensation.
Additional Damages
There are a number of other damages for which you can seek compensation, and these include:
- Emotional trauma
- Depression
- Loss of the enjoyment of life
- Lost earning ability
- Disfigurement
- Lost wages
Who Is Obligated to Pay Compensation?
Apart from the boat user, there are a number of other parties who can also be held responsible for the accident.
- The manufacturer of the boat – A boat manufacturer can be held liable for a boating accident on the grounds of product liability. You can claim compensation from the manufacturer if you can prove that the boat was faulty, and our team of professional lawyers will help you investigate and look for evidence to support such a claim, where applicable.
- A boat mechanic – In some instances, the mechanic that worked on the boat before the accident can also be held responsible if parts of the boat that he or she should have repaired led to the accident and ultimately your pain and suffering.
- The boat owner – It is common for people to not sue when they are involved in a boat accident involving the boat of a friend or a relative, but it is the insurance company that will ultimately pay for any damages awarded and not your friend or relative. You are therefore not only morally but legally allowed to claim compensation in such cases to help settle your medical bills and compensate for lost wages and any other costs or injuries sustained in an accident.
Pursuing a Claim
Depending on the type of injury or damage you sustain, there are several claims you can pursue.
One type is a personal injury claim. This is generally defined as a significant loss, either temporary or permanent, of an important body part or function, as well as scarring or disfigurement. When your lawyer is pursuing a personal injury claim for you, there are three vital things he or she will have to establish:
- Firstly, it must be proven that the other person had a duty to avoid injuring you, but he or she failed. This is known as a breach in the duty of care.
- Secondly, it must be proven that, because of that breach, the accident occurred, which ultimately led to your injury.
- Lastly, there has to be proof of the damages and injuries you suffered from the accident. A professional attorney can help you establish that.
Wrongful death cases are another type of boat accident injury case in which a loved one such as a spouse, child, or parent dies in a boat accident. When this happens, you are allowed by the law to claim compensation for various damages such as loss of consortium if a negligent party led to death.
While you may be partially at fault for an accident yourself, you are still entitled to compensation, but it depends on the extent to which your actions led to the accident. All you need is to contact our Homestead, FL accident lawyers who will take you through the basics of your case and help you fight for your compensation.
Call Us Today
For a free, no obligation consultation with our team of boat accident experts, call us today at 305-928-2909. Having a lawyer on your side is an important first step toward filing a claim and seeking compensation for your injuries and all related damages. Call now.