Birmingham Boating Accident Attorney
Boating is a popular way to celebrate a holiday weekend or escape from the everyday stresses of life, and although it is generally a relatively safe activity, tragic accidents can occur when it is not done in a responsible and careful manner. Many boaters feel that they are out of harm’s way on the water, but this is far from the truth. Many of the cases we see are due to reckless and negligent boat operation, resulting in serious Alabama boating accidents.
At the Drake Injury Lawyers in Birmingham, we understand how a fun, relaxing day out on the boat can turn quickly to tragedy when people are so focused on having a good time that they fail to take appropriate care not to cause injury to others. Alcohol, excessive speed, and operator inexperience are often factors when an accident occurs.
When someone else’s negligent, careless, or irresponsible behavior on the water has caused you or someone you love an injury, or if a member of your family has been killed as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover money for your damages. Contact a boat accident lawyer at Drake Injury Lawyers for help seeking compensation for both damages to your finances and to your quality of life.
Reportable Boat Accidents
Under federal law, certain types of boating accidents must be reported to authorities. Accidents that must be reported include those that result in personal injury or death, disappearance of a passenger or driver, and accidents that result in property damage that totals $2000 or more. The operator of a boat that has been involved in an accident has ten days to report it if there was only damage to property, and only two days to report if anyone was injured as a result of the accident. Even if you were involved in a boating accident that was not reported, if you were injured as a result of it, you may still be entitled to receive compensation for damages from the responsible party.
Types of Boating Accidents
- Jet ski and wave runner accidents
- Parasailing accidents
- Windsurfing accidents
- Snorkeling and scuba diving accidents
- Tubing accidents
- Kayaking or canoeing accidents
- Accidents result from intoxication
Common Causes of Boating Accidents
- Inexperienced boat operators
- Inattentive drivers
- Aggressive or reckless operating of a boat
- Drug or alcohol intoxication
- Equipment failure
- Manufacturing defects of boating parts
What to Do After Being Involved in a Boat Accident
After you or someone you love has been involved in a boating accident, as soon as possible you should contact an attorney who is experienced and knowledgeable in both maritime and personal injury law in Alabama. Depending on the type of boating accident you were involved in and the body of water in which it occurred, there may be a fairly short statute of limitations, restricting the amount of time in which you are allowed to file a claim.
If you were injured as a worker or passenger on a cruise ship, you may have signed an agreement further limiting the amount of time in which you can file your claim, so it is important to speak with a boat accident attorney who can ensure that you don’t miss any important filing dates that could cause you to lose the right to recover for your damages.
Legal Representation From a Birmingham, AL Boat Accident Lawyer
Personal injury claims that result from boating accidents can be tricky business. The boat accident lawyers at the Drake Injury Lawyer have more than 25 years of experience successfully handling boat accident and other personal injury and wrongful death cases, and have the expertise, legal acumen, and resources necessary to investigate the accident, document your losses, and prove your case.
If you are injured in a boating accident, you must be able to prove that the injuries you sustained were a result of negligence on the part of the person or entity you are bringing the claim against. Negligence can be defined as failing to behave with the degree of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise under the same or similar circumstances. The behavior might consist of negligent actions, or may also consist of an omission when there is a duty to act.
Contact Us For a Free Consultation
If you have been injured in a boating or other accident because of someone else’s negligent behavior, contact our boat accident lawyers at Drake Injury Lawyers in Birmingham for a free consultation. Our Birmingham personal injury lawyers will fight to get you full and adequate compensation for all of your damages, including medical bills, loss of wages, costs of rehabilitation, psychological damage, pain, and suffering. There is never a risk to you, because we assume all the costs of preparing your case, and you only pay us if we recover money for you. Call Drake Injury Lawyers at (205) 970-0800 today.
Drake Injury Lawyers
2 Perimeter Park S #510e
Birmingham, AL 35243
(205) 859-2236