Whether it is sailing, fishing, or participating in aquatic sports, many people enjoy spending time out on the water. Unfortunately, an irresponsible boater can put everyone else at risk and cause serious injuries. In severe cases, boating accidents could even permanently alter someone’s life.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a watercraft collision, a Winder boat accident lawyer could provide the advice and support you need. Negligent parties are responsible for compensating the people they harm. A knowledgeable attorney at Smith Hulsey could help ensure that you get all the damages you are entitled to receive.
Collisions on the water can lead to severe injury and even death. Common injuries resulting from boating accidents include:
Anyone who has been involved in a boating accident should seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if the injuries seem minor. Some dangerous conditions, such as traumatic brain damage and certain soft tissue injuries, might not present symptoms at first. After an accident, a thorough medical examination is always recommended just to be sure.
Getting prompt medical treatment also could help a local boat accident attorney when building a strong case for damages. When a claimant delays seeking treatment, an insurance adjuster or defense lawyer could argue that the delay was because the injury is not serious enough to merit treatment or damages. They also might deny that the boating accident caused the injury. Medical records from immediately after the incident are key in fighting against these arguments.
Carelessness, recklessness, and negligence cause many dangerous incidents on the water that lead to serious injuries. Legal negligence is defined as a failure to exercise the same degree of caution and responsibility that a reasonable person would demonstrate in similar circumstances. In order to collect damages, a boat accident victim must prove that someone else was negligent.
Many accidents occur because of boat operator error. This could involve failing to observe navigation laws, speeding, or operating the watercraft recklessly. Not having sufficient safety gear and floatation devices could also constitute negligence, as could neglecting to maintain the boat. At Smith Hulsey, our diligent attorneys could investigate a Winder boat collision to identify all potentially negligent parties.
Importantly, the Georgia Boat Safety Act makes the following acts illegal while intoxicated:
If a person violated the Boat Safety Act and caused a waterborne collision, an experienced attorney in the area could hold them accountable in a civil claim for damages.
Sometimes, multiple people may contribute to an accident, including an injured victim. A negligent plaintiff could still collect damages from other negligent parties if they are less than 50 percent responsible for the accident. However, defendants may try to shift the blame to avoid liability for the victim’s injuries. As such, it is crucial for boat accident victims to get legal representation from the dedicated lawyers at our Winder office.
Claims for boat accidents can be complicated because there are rarely police reports or witness statements to prove what happened. Building a claim for damages requires a thorough investigation by a diligent attorney with experience handling these types of cases.
If you were injured while out on the water, schedule a consultation with a Winder boat accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident. The sooner you bring a legal professional on board, the sooner they can start working to get you the compensation you deserve.
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