Clearwater Boat Accident Lawyers
The Florida waterways are high-traffic areas used by people for a variety of purposes. With so many people on the water, including tourists and local residents, the chance of an accident occurring can be high.
At the Law Offices of Tragos, Sartes & Tragos, we have years of experience handling a wide range of boating accident cases. Contact us at your earliest convenience for quality assistance as you pursue monetary compensation
When it comes to getting the compensation you deserve, trust in a Clearwater boat accident lawyer who is dedicated to looking after your best interests and obtaining the maximum compensation possible. Contact our firm today!
A lapse in judgment, reckless behavior, or an accidental circumstance can lead to a boat accident. At the Law Offices of Tragos, Sartes & Tragos, we understand that there are many ways that things can go wrong while boating. Whatever the circumstances, speak with our injury lawyers about your boating accident and take the next step in protecting your right to compensation.
We Handle Complex Boating Accident Situations
The owner of a boat has an absolute obligation to the safety of any passengers that are on his or her boat. Collisions with docks, bridge abutments, and other boats are all too common and often result in serious injuries. Passengers may be thrown overboard or injured on deck if a collision occurs.
Boats themselves can sustain heavy damage. Boats are large vehicles, and when they are traveling at fast speeds they carry a lot of momentum. As a result, when they hit another boat, both boats will sustain heavy damage, just like can happen in a car crash. Moreover, the individual at fault in a boat crash may have to compensate the owner of the other boat for damage to her boat.
Another serious problem with boat crashes, like with car crashes, is that the people can in the boats can get seriously injured, possibly even more so than in a car crash. While sitting in boats people do not wear seat belts. As a result, when one boat hits another boat, the passengers can go flying out of the boat into the water or onto nearby land. Or, they can fly into a part of the boat.
The physical risks associated with boating and boat crashes very dangerous. An individual who causes a boat crash that injures an individual in another boat may have to pay the medical costs for the individual as well as pay other damages. Common ways that boating and water sports can result in injuries include:
- Boating collisions
- Sinking boats
- Poor judgment
- Being thrown overboard
- Careless boat driving
- Flooding the boat
- Falling overboard
Factors to Consider in a Boating Accident
Whether you suffered injury from the propeller or from the boat colliding with another vessel, you may be entitled to recover damages. In order to determine the best plan of action, you should take the time to document as much information about the situation as possible.
Depending on the circumstances, one or more parties may be at fault in a boating accident, and you will want to ensure that your rights to compensation are protected. There are many factors of a boating accident that may affect compensation, such as:
- Weather conditions
- Speed of the boat
- Defective boat design
- Rules of navigation
- Safe boat operation practices
- Overcrowding/overloading
Are you Protected with a Boat insurance Policy?
It is important to have a clear understanding of the situation in order to ensure you receive compensation. Like Florida driver insurance, many boat insurance policies have Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) that can protect you by covering the other party’s property damage and injuries.
In addition, uninsured boater insurance may cover your injuries and damages if you get in an accident with an uninsured boat owner. Boat insurance policies vary, but they usually cover the following:
- Property damage
- Medical costs
- Loss of wages
- Pain and suffering
Was Someone Else Responsible for the Accident
Sometimes, an accident occurred because someone was acting negligently. This includes acting recklessly, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or neglecting to take safe action in a situation. The dangers associated with operating a boat while intoxicated are similar to the dangers associated with operating a motor vehicle while drunk. If you suffered serious injuries and damages as a result, you may be able to file a claim against them.
Like driver insurance, Florida BIL and PDL insurance may not fully compensate for your damages and injuries. This is common in cases of catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage. However, you are still able to file a claim or lawsuit against the negligent driver and hold them accountable.
Do not needlessly suffer because of another individual’s irresponsible actions. To hold another party responsible, you may have to prove the following:
- The party was acting recklessly/negligently
- The party’s reckless/negligent behavior led to the accident
- The accident resulted in your injuries and/or damages
How a Clearwater Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help
The Law Offices of Tragos, Sartes & Tragos knows that accidents can be difficult circumstances. If you are seeking legal guidance, consult a legal team with more than 40 years of experience handling complex personal injury cases. We evaluate our clients’ cases and determine their best approach, whether it means taking action in court or settling out of court.
Because we operate on a contingency fee basis, we only win when you obtain compensation in your case. With no up-front lawyer fees, you may focus on managing your injuries without further burden.
Schedule a free case evaluation with our injury attorneys in Clearwater today.