Taking the boat out for a spin on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon down Lake Mohave is supposed to be a fun way for you to spend the day with your family or friends. However, things can quickly take a turn if you collide with another boat, your boat breaks down, or one of your passengers is seriously injured.
Our boat accident lawyer in Laughlin at H&P Law provides you with the hands-on support you need to navigate these cases. Whether someone on your boat suffered an injury or you suffered an injury caused by others, our Laughlin personal injury lawyers can help. We have over 60 years of combined experience.
Why Choose a Laughlin Boat Accident Attorney
There are many different ways accidents and injuries can occur, and identifying the liable party should be one of your top priorities if you are the one who suffered a catastrophic injury. These are often complex cases, and they come down to one person’s word against the other. We rectify that situation.
Find out more about who could be sued for your damages and what your boat accident lawsuit and insurance claims could be worth when you contact H&P Law to schedule a free consultation. Request a free, no-obligation consultation with our boat accident lawyer for immediate guidance.
Liability for Boating Accidents in Laughlin
Your lawyer will need to determine who is responsible for causing the boating accident. We will need to conduct a careful investigation to ensure all liable parties are brought to justice. Some of the individuals and entities most frequently named in accident lawsuits and insurance claims include:
- Reckless boat operators
- Boaters operating their vessel under the influence
- Boat passengers
- The owner of the boat
- Boat manufacturers
If the person who caused your accident is under 21 and they were served alcohol, you may even have grounds for a dram shop liability lawsuit. Under Nev. Rev. Stat. §41.1305, if an establishment that serves or sells alcohol does so to someone underage, and that party goes on to cause a boating accident, the dram shop could share liability for your damages.
We will have a better idea of who should be sued or have an insurance claim filed against them once we have all the evidence.
Damages You May Recover in a Boating Accident
When someone else causes your injuries, you have the right to pursue legal action against them for any losses you can demonstrate. In boating accidents, common losses we see include:
- Medical expenses from the accident and through recovery
- Future medical costs
- Loss of wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and mental anguish
Speak to our boat crash lawyer in Laughlin to estimate the real value of your claim. In most cases, this is not what the insurance company wants to pay you.
Punitive Damages in a Boat Accident Case
Punitive damages could be included in your boat accident settlement, depending on how the accident occurred. Punitive damages are not a type of compensatory relief, which means you are not entitled to them as part of your payout.
Instead, according to Nev. Rev. Stat. §42.005, punitive damages should only be issued if the defendant acted with “malice, oppression, or fraud.” For instance, if the owner of the boat failed to make necessary safety repairs, this may not amount to malice, oppression, or fraud.
However, if the boat driver was boating under the influence and had a history of doing so, this could warrant an award of punitive damages. Your Laughlin boat accident attorney will carefully review the specific details of your case to determine if punitive relief is warranted.
Time Limit on Filing a Boat Injury Claim in Nevada
You have a limited amount of time to file your boat accident lawsuit. According to Nev. Rev. Stat. §11.190(4), the statute of limitations for boat accident lawsuits and personal injury claims is typically two years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you can expect the court system to refuse to try your case.
It should be noted that there are limited situations in which you could have additional time to file your lawsuit. Maybe the liable party leaves the state, your child under the age of 18 is injured, or you were not diagnosed until a later date.
In these situations, the statute of limitations may temporarily pause, a process commonly referred to as “tolling the statute of limitations.”
The Cost of Hiring a Boat Accident Lawyer in Laughlin
If you choose to work with H&P Law, you can afford to hire a legal representative. This is because we never charge any upfront costs. We never expect injury victims to pay court filing fees, the cost of hiring expert witnesses, or other expenses necessary to pursue their claims.
Instead, we work for you on a contingency basis. Following Rule 1.5 – Fees, Nev. R. Prof. Cond. 1.5, working on contingency makes it possible for you to hire a boat accident lawyer in Laughlin, as we only get paid directly out of whatever you recover if we win. If we lose, you will not see a single legal bill.
H&P Law recognizes the importance of providing victims with access to legal representation in these critical cases. You do not need to take on the insurance company alone. Let us work to build a claim you can be confident in today.
When More Than One Person Causes a Boat Accident
More than one person can be at fault for an accident. Nevada does not prohibit injury victims from receiving a settlement if they share fault, but your settlement will be affected. The extent of this impact will depend on how much fault you carry.
There is a 50% bar threshold since Nevada follows modified comparative negligence laws under Nev. Rev. Stat. §41.141. If you are 50% or less at fault, your portion of the blame will be deducted from your boat accident settlement. If you are more than 50% at fault, you will be barred from receiving a settlement.
We work to minimize any claim against you of fault. We want you to recover as much compensation as possible in your accident case. Expect us to build an evidence-based claim that protects your future.
Grounds for a Boat Accident Lawsuit
The grounds for a boat accident lawsuit are based on negligence. If someone else is or could be responsible for your damages, they should be ordered to compensate you for the total value of your damages. Additionally, your life must have also been significantly affected by either the accident or the injuries you sustained.
We make it our objective to build a strong case and claim for you. This allows us to settle most cases out of court in our clients’ favor. However, we have the skills and resources to go to trial when necessary.
You may not know if you have a case just yet. Start with a free consultation with our boat accident lawyer first. Let us review your claim, determine who is at fault, and negotiate a fair settlement for you. Browse our frequently asked questions to learn more.
Trust in a Powerful Boat Accident Lawyer in Laughlin
When you have suffered debilitating injuries that have turned your world upside down, you may be hesitant to take legal action. After everything you have been through, the thought of a lengthy trial or stressful negotiations with the insurance company may feel intimidating.
Remember, you do not have to go through this alone when you have H&P Law advocating for your rights. In the aftermath of your injuries, you should be able to heal, focus on your family, and figure out how to live your life as normally as possible despite any permanent disability you may be experiencing.
Let us handle the legalities so you can start to put the accident behind you. Start working on your insurance and civil claims as soon as today when you fill out our quick contact form or call our office to schedule your free boating accident consultation as soon as today.
Request a Free Consultation with a Laughlin Boat Accident Attorney Now
H&P Law is the reliable, proven legal team you want on your side after a boat accident. Speak to us about what happened to you, and let us build a claim that protects your future. Our Laughlin boat accident lawyer is the reliable resource you need by your side.
