The U.S. Coast Guard reported 2,511 boating injuries in the U.S. in 2018. It is a slight decrease from the 2,629 injuries that occurred the previous year. Additionally, over 600 fatalities have also occurred, with the total property damage reaching nearly $46 million. If you were injured or lost a loved one as the result of a yachting accident caused by another, you have the right to seek compensation by filing a yacht accident lawsuit. It will help you recover a wide range of damages suffered from yacht accidents.
What must be proved to be entitled to compensation
To obtain compensation based on the negligence of another, you must prove four (4) elements, namely:
- The person had a duty to act in a certain way.
- The person breached their duty.
- The breach caused an accident.
- You suffered damages as a result of the accident.
Various careless actions may constitute negligence. For instance, passengers and workers may misuse personal floatation devices or fail to use them all together. In addition, alcohol consumption also plays a great role in many yacht accidents, as does the inability of passengers or workers to abide by basic boat safety rules. Filing a yacht accident claim can help you take a step ahead to recover your damages.
Other common negligent actions include
Here are other actions or instances that are indicative of negligence:
- Defective construction of the boat or components.
- Defective design of the boat or components.
- Failure to have a lookout.
- Having inadequate safety equipment.
- Improperly maintaining equipment.
- Operator inexperience.
- Operator inattention.
- Traveling into a storm.
There are various inherent dangers in any boating activity. Accidents can occur even when people take precautions. However, many accidents are the result of carelessness or recklessness. Therefore, if someone else caused or contributed to your accident, you have the right to be compensated for your injuries by filing a yacht accident lawsuit. An experienced yacht accident attorney can help you understand your options.
Recoverable damages from a yacht accident lawsuit
Boating accident injuries may lead to various damages, depending on the nature of the accident and the severity of the injury. In addition, injured persons may face high medical costs, experience wage loss from missing work, ambulance expenses, and other costs associated with moderate to severe injury.
If the injury results in severe or permanent consequences on a person’s health or livelihood, this can lead to devastating effects on the individual and those around them as they navigate this unexpected future. Surviving loved ones of someone who died in a boating accident may experience additional losses and be entitled to sue for damages.
Filing a personal injury claim or a lawsuit for a boating accident-related injury gives individuals can give parties an opportunity to receive maximum yacht accident compensation for their losses.
Types of damages awarded in a yacht accident
Yacht boating accident victims can receive compensation for their:
- Loss of earning capacity.
- Loss of income.
- Long-term care expenses.
- Medical expenses.
- Pain and suffering.
If the boating accident resulted in the death of a loved one, the next of kin of the deceased could file a yacht accident lawsuit. If someone’s negligent behavior led to the accident, claimants might receive compensation for:
- Funeral or burial expenses.
- The loss of training and guidance.
- The loss of love or companionship.
- The loss of financial support.
- The value of household services the decedent would have provided.
Calculating all the economic and non-economic damages you are owed can be challenging, which is why we recommend you consult with a reliable yacht accident lawyer. They should have a better understanding of how to calculate your damages. They will also be able to negotiate with the opposing counsel or insurance representative and advocate on your behalf.
Who is liable for the yacht boating accident?
You and your yacht accident attorney will need to investigate the circumstances of the accident to establish liability. Depending on the circumstances of your boating accident, the negligent party could be the:
- Another passenger.
- Boating operator.
- Boat owner.
- Boat manufacturer.
- Another boat’s operator.
- Jet ski riders.
- Lifeguards.
- Any party on or near the boat.
In some cases, multiple parties can be named as the defendant if they all contributed to the reckless actions that led to yacht injuries.
Legal options for your Yacht accident injury?
Taking legal action by filing a lawsuit against a yacht accident involving a boat owner, operator, or manufacturer for yacht accident-related injury can be a difficult process to undertake alone. Therefore, hiring a skilled and licensed lawyer with experience in handling these cases will help you get a fair yacht accident settlement. Filing this claim will benefit you by potentially reducing the length of the process.
To achieve a fair settlement, you must have clear and convincing evidence to prove the other party’s negligence and how their negligence resulted in the damages you raised in your claim. A boating accident lawyer can run a full investigation of your case and help you collect witness testimony, medical records, and any other reports or information that will provide strong support for your claim. Expect the top lawyers to offer you essential legal expertise and provide you with access to invaluable tools and resources to help you successfully receive compensation for your losses.
Things to do after your accident
- Call 911.
- Get medical help immediately – it doesn’t matter how many injuries you have.
- Take pictures, get contact information, and choose your witnesses who are ready to give their statements.
- Contact a skilled and experienced attorney to investigate the accident and document your claim.
- File your Yacht Accident Lawsuit.
- File a lawsuit if your injury claims are denied or ignored.
If you file a yacht boating accident injury claim and are unable to negotiate a fair settlement with the party involved, your lawyer will help you file a yacht accident lawsuit to bring the liable party to court.
Why choose Ethen Ostroff Law?
- At Ethen Ostroff Law, our lawyers have the skills, connections, and resources to make this happen seamlessly without any undue stress on your part. In addition, we have all the resources and tenacity to zealously pursue your yacht accident claim, even against the biggest companies with the deepest pockets. Nevertheless, we will give you individualized attention and fight to get you every dollar you deserve.
What are you waiting for? Contact Ethen Ostroff Law now at 610-510-8883 ( by calling this number, you consent to receive SMS updates from Ethen Ostroff Law) or Submit Form to get free consultation.
