BoaT ACCIDENTS
When someone is injured in a boating accident, a personal injury attorney is crucial in establishing that the injuries were caused by the negligence of another as opposed to a wave or other natural conditions. Boating accidents typically occur when someone's boat
- is hit by another boat
- is hit by the wake of another boat
- hits a wave
- hits a rock, land, or submerged object
In boating accidents that occur when two boats collide, both parties will be held at least partly liable. Therefore, injured parties involved in a boating accident between two boats would have a claim against the operators of both boats. If an operator is injured and was less than fifty percent responsible for the collision, a claim could be held against the operator of the other boat. Some exceptions in shared liability exist in favor of sailboat operators in the instance they are hit by a motorboat, as motorboats are required to stay out of the way of sailboats. An operator of a motorboat must also keep the wake of their boat away from sailboats.
Wakes and waves can cause severe injuries, especially when they are strong enough to knock passengers down, or even overboard. In these cases, an attorney can determine if another party was negligent by discovering factors such as:
- whether the boat was being operated in a no-wake zone
- whether the operator gave passengers adequate warning
- if an operator created a reckless wake in a crowded area
- if an operator was navigating cautiously or using a nautical chart at the time a boat collided with a rock or land
- if an injury could have been prevented or mitigated by proper safety equipment
- if an accident was caused by the operator's negligence or to forces of nature
The law office of Zychowicz Law LLC, is experienced in handling boating cases, and is able to pinpoint another party's negligence in the countless scenarios that can occur.
- If you or a family member were injured in a boating accident, contact us immediately at 419-842-1166. We will explain your rights in a free consultation and explain how we will aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve.