Call Us atBoating accidents can be costly to treat and cause prolonged suffering for any person who was injured. They often involve significant property damage and have a higher-than-normal risk of accidental death. If you were recently harmed in this type of situation, a knowledgeable personal injury attorney stands ready to hold the relevant parties accountable on your behalf.
If you sustained serious injuries while engaging in water recreation activities, an Anchorage boat accident lawyer could assist you in seeking the compensation you deserve so that this accident does not place an undue financial burden on you.
Boating Accident Causes and Injuries
Boats can be a fun way to spend time on the water or even be a critical part of a person’s occupation. When it comes to the laws surrounding boating accidents, many different types of watercraft can fit into this category, such as a canoe, wakeboard, jet ski, pontoon, or speed boat. Every type of watercraft carries its own unique risks that may impact a personal injury claim. Common causes of watercraft accidents include:
- High speeds
- Distracted boating
- Congested waterways
- Poor weather or unsafe waters
- Inexperienced boat operator or crew
- Impairment by drugs or alcohol
- Defective boats or parts
The individual who is liable for the results of the accident may change depending on what the cause was. Every injured plaintiff deserves to have their case examined by a boat accident attorney in Anchorage who is well-versed in this area of the law and knows how to identify the at-fault party.
Common Injuries
These unique accidents carry many of the same potential injuries as other vehicle accidents, as well as those uniquely related to the water:
- Whiplash
- Broken or fractured bones
- Skin injury and lacerations
- Complications of water aspiration
- Burns
- Electrical shock
- Paralysis and spinal cord injury
- Drowning
Determining the cause of the accident is a key part of winning any personal injury claim, and providing proof of injury is what determines how much money a plaintiff could receive.
Proving Negligence in Boat Accidents
The plaintiff, with the assistance of a skilled attorney, is required to show that the defendant was the cause of the accident through their negligence. A defendant is negligent when their breach of a legal duty results in the plaintiff’s harm. Proving this can be difficult for self-represented parties, even in seemingly obvious situations, due to the complexity of the legal system. An Anchorage boat accident lawyer could investigate the defendant’s actions to determine if there is enough evidence to prove negligence.
Many boat-related injuries are due to faulty products on board or with the boat itself. A products liability lawsuit seeks to hold the manufacturer of the boat or applicable part responsible for their negligence which led to an accident. These defects can occur as the result of a faulty design, poor manufacture of the product, or through some failure to warn of known dangers associated with the product.
Determining fault in these cases sometimes requires expert testimony, which a lawyer could work to secure.
Consult an Anchorage Boat Accident Attorney
When two boats collide, or one begins to sink into the water, lives are in danger. The negligence of another boater or a manufacturer should not be ignored when you are facing economic hardship from your injuries. A successful lawsuit could result in a damages award that properly compensates you. An Anchorage boat accident lawyer is prepared to assist you in your case, so contact us today for a consultation.
