A boating accident can occur for many reasons, including inexperienced operators, machinery failures, or reckless behavior. Our Henderson boat accident lawyer at H&P Law is courtroom-proven and client–praised.
We will work tirelessly to support you throughout this legal process. Expect our Henderson personal injury lawyer to help you determine who is at fault, what your losses are, and how to get you the best possible outcome.
Common Causes of Boating Accidents
Anyone who heads onto the water takes on the same type of responsibility as getting into a vehicle behind the wheel. If they put another person at risk, they owe that party for any losses they cause. There are many reasons boating accidents occur, including:
- Improper lockout
- Equipment failures
- Excessive speed or reckless behavior
- Operator inexperience
- Operating distraction or inattention
- Intoxication
In many situations, these types of accidents cause injury to passengers and other boaters. They can even be life-threatening in some situations. As a direct result, you must take every step possible to pursue fair compensation owed to you in these situations.
Common Boat Accident Injuries
We understand the risks that come from boating accidents because our clients come to us with incredibly challenging injuries and losses. The more severe your injuries are, the more impactful they will be to your future, and that directly impacts your personal injury case. Consider the following severe accidents that warrant significantly higher compensation because of the losses they present:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Changes in cognitive function could impact communication, behavior, and thinking processes
- Spinal cord injuries: These injuries often lead to temporary or permanent, full or partial paralysis, chronic pain, and mobility limitations
- Lacerations: Deep lacerations can lead to infection risks, amputations, and scarring
- Broken bones: In the case of complex fractures, mobility and pain that continues long-term could be applicable
- Emotional trauma: There is a strong possibility of developing conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, both of which impact your future quality of life
Your personal injury case must include compensation that makes you whole. In these situations, that means providing you with compensation that covers your losses now but also takes into consideration your future goals, quality of life, and overall well-being. Do not settle your case until you consider these factors with the help of a Henderson catastrophic injury lawyer.
Legal Aspects of Boating Accidents
One of the most important reasons to hire a boating accident attorney in Henderson is to navigate the legal aspects of these cases. A variety of factors can play a role in who is responsible for your injuries and losses.
For example, maritime law typically requires that the operator is responsible for injuries. Other times, the boat owner could be liable if they failed to take care of the boat and rented it to a consumer.
Operators may be responsible for the injuries to others if they operate the boat in unsafe conditions, are speeding, or fail to maintain a lookout. If they are boating under the influence, that can also create a substantial risk of serious injury, and, therefore, the operator maintains liability. Identifying who is responsible also means considering all potential parties, such as:
- The boat driver and crew, especially in situations of recklessness and intoxication
- The owner of the water boat, which could be a government organization, if the premises were not safe
- The manufacturer of the boat, if it malfunctioned due to a defect
- The company that owns and maintains the boat
Know the Laws of Boating in Nevada
To know who to blame, you must understand boating rules & regulations, which the Nevada Department of Wildlife outlines. Meeting the safety requirements of boating, including providing life jackets and operating in safe conditions, is just the start of the potential factors related to negligence.
Operators must have specific equipment on board, navigate with proper lighting, and ensure all parties are not intoxicated. Operators also must have a proper boating license that demonstrates their ability to manage poor weather conditions, boat breakdowns, signaling, and other requirements.
Determining Your Losses in a Boat Accident
Our clients count on our boat accident attorney in Henderson to provide them with comprehensive legal support and guidance throughout this legal process. There is never a simplistic plan for doing this, but a core component of our experience comes from understanding your losses. We know how to help boating accident victims with losses such as:
- Property damage
- Medical bills from the incident
- Ongoing medical care needs
- Lost wages and benefits from being unable to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of quality of life
Our goal is to prove that you are owed compensation because of the reckless or negligent behavior of another person. To do that, we need to be able to gather evidence to support your case. Our boat accident lawyer in Henderson will always work hard to maximize your claim.
You May Be Awarded Punitive Damages as Well
In some situations, especially when intoxication or intentional acts are involved, you may be awarded punitive damages. These are damages over and above your losses that a judge levies as a way to discourage a person from engaging in the same behavior again. If your case qualifies, expect us to fight for you to receive these losses.
Avoid Settling Your Case with the Insurance Company Just Yet
Prior to speaking to the responsible insurance company, we encourage you to meet with our boat accident attorneys in Henderson first. In doing so, we can alleviate the risks that are often present. Some examples include:
- Insurance companies are trying to force you to settle before you know your losses
- Aggressive behavior that intimidates you
- Refusing to cover losses that they should
- Trying to trick you into admitting you are okay enough to work
- Having you settle your case through threats or pressure
You have rights as a victim, and our attorneys take pride in protecting those rights throughout your legal battle. We encourage you to pursue full and fair legal support from our team. There is no cost to setting up a consultation with H&P Law to learn if we believe you should settle or gather more evidence.
Know the Difference in Giving Up Too Soon Is
Before you settle your claim after a boating accident, fully understand your losses. Then, understand what could happen in the future. Some examples of how these accidents can impact people for years down the road include:
- You do not have the funds for advanced therapy that could improve your quality of life.
- A boating accident may cause injuries to your emotional well-being that could impact your mental health for years to come.
- You may find it difficult to maintain a quality of life that you are used to moving forward.
- You may suffer financial loss from being unable to work, which impacts your ability to save for retirement and enjoy long-term health benefits.
- You could face years of disabilities that impact your family.
Do not let these financial losses impact your future. Instead, allow our trusted and experienced boat accident attorneys in Henderson to fight for you now. We will handle the negotiations, investigations, and difficult insurance companies for you. That way, you can focus on your health and your future.
How We Will Work to Prove Your Case
We take your case seriously. Our first step is to learn as much as we can from you about what occurred before we work to get the evidence available to prove your losses. There are numerous ways we can recover losses from these types of accidents, including:
- Witness statements
- Data from the boat itself
- Information from any video or photos taken of the incident
- The type of damage and injuries suffered
- Any legal documentation from the authorities
- Information about the boat itself, and any types of manufacturer defects known
- Data from medical experts
- Information from accident recreationists
We use all of this data to help our clients determine their losses and who is at fault. By doing so, we can ensure that we can file a claim with the associated insurance company for fair compensation that fits what occurred to you. Do not wait to get our team involved in fighting to settle your case fairly.
What to Do if Your Family Member Died in a Boating Accident
Wrongful death can occur on the waterways. If someone else was responsible for your family member’s death, our Henderson wrongful death lawyer will work to better understand the case. You may be able to pursue compensation for:
- Final medical costs
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earnings
- Loss of companionship
Our boating accident attorneys know this is challenging for you. That is why we take the pressure off you so you can focus on your grief. Expect us to fight tirelessly to protect you.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Henderson Boat Accident Attorney Now
At H&P Law, we have extensive experience helping victims in boating accidents. We know every case is unique and deserves close, personal attention. Call us today to discuss the details of your Henderson boat accident and learn how we can recover the compensation you deserve.
