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I was injured in a boating accident. Now what?
Each year, and particularly during the summer boating season, boating accidents cause tens of millions of dollars in property damage, thousands of injuries, and hundreds of deaths. If you have been injured in a boating accident caused by someone else, learn how to take legal action and recover the compensation you deserve.
Proving negligence
Just like in a car accident, you need to prove negligence in a boating accident. Not only do you need to prove the other boater was acting negligently, but you also need to prove that their negligent actions directly caused you harm.
Different types of boating accidents necessitate different types of negligence claims. The following are two common boating accident scenarios:
- Your boat hit another boat.
- Your boat hit a wave or wake created by another vessel.
If you were injured in an accident where your boat collided with another boat, you will need to prove that you were less than 50% responsible for the accident. If the other boater was visibly intoxicated, operating the boat erratically, or not observing the rules of the waterway, it may be easier to prove they were acting negligently.
Boaters are required to slow down when approaching other water vessels and when this doesn’t happen, the wake created by their vessel may make your boat unstable for passengers. If your boat was struck by a wave created by another boat that was driving too fast or too close to you, you may be able to claim the other boater was being negligent.
Injured in a boating accident? Contact us today
If you have been injured in a boating accident caused by someone else, an experienced personal injury attorney who is well-versed in boating laws and regulations can help you recover the compensation you deserve. At Huffman & Huffman, our team of boat accident attorneys has helped numerous clients across Virginia who have been injured or have lost loved ones in watercraft accidents.
To learn how we can help you, contact Huffman & Huffman, PLLC at (757) 599-6050 for a free consultation today.
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