Boating can be much more unpredictable than other forms of transportation. You might not realize that there's an object that's submerged and your boat might strike this object and begin sinking. If you have an accident as a passenger, you might suffer an injury when the boat strikes an object. Depending on the actions taken by the boat operator, you may have a personal injury case.
Understanding Negligence
A boat operator is typically considered negligent for a boat accident if he or she has been speeding or has been operating the boat in dense fog. To avoid liability, the operator will need to show due care to avoid causing an accident.
The Importance of Safety Precautions
Even if the boat operator drove in a safe way, if the operator did not take reasonable safety precautions, he or she might be held responsible for the accident. For example, if you were thrown out of the boat without a safety vest, the boat operator might be held responsible for any injuries you suffer from.
Boats need to come with throwable life rings, flares, whistles, fire extinguishers, and navigational lights. Not having the appropriate safety equipment will not necessarily lead to an accident, but it may interfere with the rescue operations. As a result, if a rescue operation was delayed as a result of not having proper safety equipment, you may be able to seek compensation.
Why Float Plans are Necessary
Another issue is when the boat collides with the object and there is no float plan. A boat operator needs to create a float plan regarding the planned destinations and how long the boat will be at these destinations.
The float plan then needs to be given to someone who will not be on the boat. If there is no float plan, the boat might become disabled and you may suffer more serious injuries because no one will arrive to offer prompt medical care.
If you suffered an injury as a result of a boating accident, negligence will be partially based on jurisdiction. For this reason, you'll want to find a boat accident lawyer who is licensed to practice law in your area. While there are some lawyers who practice general law and may be able to help, a boat accident lawyer will be experienced with these types of cases and will be better able to help you seek a settlement for your injuries. For more information, consult with law firms like DeepWater Law Edward R. Petkevis, PC.
Share5 February 2020
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