When Should You Seek a Boating Accident Lawyer?

If you've had the misfortune of being in, or witnessing, a boating accident, a boating accident lawyer can provide a discerning eye to help you or any injured parties handle the situation most efficiently. Deciding when to consult a boating accident lawyer can be a little fuzzy, but in most cases you're better safe than sorry. Even so, here are some common situations in which it is definitely in your best interest to seek a boating accident lawyer.

Property Damage

If you were on a boat that was involved in an accident that damaged property such as a dam, dock, jetty, etc. you should contact a boating accident lawyer. A boating accident lawyer will help you assess to what extent the damage was or was not your fault, and can seek a fair settlement for you. Even if you were a passenger on a boat involved in an accident that did property damage, or a witness off boat, you should still contact a boating accident lawyer. As a witness you are valuable in helping the case be settled fairly.

Drunk Driving

If your boating accident was the result of another driver who was boating under the influence of alcohol you should absolutely contact a boating accident lawyer. Alcohol restrictions while boating are more stringent than driving a car, so if you were injured or your boat damaged due to the negligence of another boater under the influence, you need to contact a boating accident lawyer as soon as possible. You'll get a settlement that you deserve, but you'll also help prevent the drunk driver from repeating their mistakes and possible injuring more people, boats, or property.

Malfunctioning Equipment

If you are involved in a boating accident that was the direct result of malfunctioning boating equipment, seek a boating accident lawyer. It is imperative for you to avoid unnecessary penalties, and for other boaters using the same equipment, that you seek out a boating accident lawyer to get what you deserve, and to make the manufacturer aware of the issue. You may find that you are not the only one who fell prey to an equipment malfunction, and your lawyer could be able to form a whole suit against the manufacturer.

Injury

If you were a passenger on a boat, and sustained an injury due to the negligence of the driver, you should without a doubt seek a boating accident lawyer. You should not have to deal with the costs of exorbitant medical bills and/or emotional suffering because of someone else's negligence.