When the nice summer weather comes in, many people become eager to take their boats out. Boats can provide people with a lot of fun and entertainment on a nice day. However, they can also be dangerous if they are not taken care of and operated properly. Boating accidents have the potential to cause severe injuries that can impact a person for the rest of their life. It is because of this that people need to be careful when they are on or around a boat.
Boat owners are required to keep their property in good condition before bringing it onto the water. If a person becomes injured as a result of their negligence, the owner may be held responsible for these injuries. When this happens, the injured party may be able to recover compensation for damages incurred such as medical bills, lost wages, and more.
What is Boating Negligence?
When owning a boat, a person must take all the necessary safety precautions to ensure those on and around the boat cannot be harmed. If they do not and someone becomes injured, they can be held responsible. A boat owner may be negligent for the following:
- If he or she is not an experienced boater
- If he or she collides with another object because of inattentiveness, drowsiness, etc.
- If he or she does not provide proper safety equipment on board and someone becomes injured as a result
- If he or she operates the boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- If he or she causes an injury due to speeding
Recovering Compensation
People who become injured due to the negligence of another often wish to hold that party responsible for the damage they caused. This can be done in the event of a boating accident through a personal injury lawsuit. During this time, the injured party is required to prove negligence in order to be successful. To prove negligence, they must satisfy the burden of proof with evidence that shows the accident and their injuries were a direct result of the boat owner’s actions. Evidence for a case can consist of pictures or videos of the accident scene, medical documentation of the individual’s injuries, and any witnesses to the incident. This can all be useful to prove negligence in court.
It is important to be cautious when using social media after a personal accident occurs. This is because insurance companies may watch a victim’s social presence after the accident to see if they say anything to prove their claim as untrue.
Contact our Firm
If you have been seriously injured as a result of another party’s negligence, contact Swerling Law today to schedule a free initial consultation.
