Phoenix Boat Accident Attorney

Most people think of cars and intersections when they hear the word accident, but thousands of boating accidents occur every year in the United States. While you might imagine the openness of the water would decrease the chance of accidents, not all accidents are with other boats. Currents, weather events, and docking maneuvers can easily lead to bumps, scrapes, and even injuries. Some boating accidents are governed by different regulations than the highway and most people are unaware of the statutes at play. If you’ve been in a boating-related accident, contact Hastings & Hastings for help navigating the claims process. 

Why Hire Hastings & Hastings For Your Boat Accident Case?

Hastings & Hastings combines experience and dedication to ensure you are fairly compensated for any damages incurred as the result of an accident. Here’s why you should work with us:

• Our firm has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our personal injury clients.
• Our team has served Arizona natives for over 40 years and is well-versed in Arizona accident law.
• The majority of our business comes from repeat clients and referrals, demonstrating a high level of satisfaction with our services.

Contact us now for a free consultation. Our team at Hastings & Hastings is eager to represent you and fight for your needs. 

How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help With Your Claim

The majority of people, even boat owners, become easily overwhelmed in the aftermath of an accident. A boat accident lawyer will facilitate the entire process and can especially help with:

• Determining Liability: A Phoenix injury lawyer is best positioned to determine whether you have a case and who is most likely to be liable for your damages.
• Evidence Gathering: The open water can make physical evidence a little more difficult to collect, but a lawyer will use the police report, eyewitness testimony, and expert witnesses to support your case.
• Claims Filing and Negotiation: Insurance companies often require extremely precise technical documents and language, which can confuse any accident victim. A lawyer will assist in cutting through the red tape and ensure that all claims are filed appropriately and will negotiate on your behalf. 

Accidents come with a lot of physical and emotional damage and often lead to confusion and frustration. You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible following an accident to ensure proper evidence collection and claims handling. 

Common Causes of Boat Accidents

Boating accidents are usually caused by similar reasons as routine traffic accidents but come with their own complications. Most boating accidents are caused by:

• Intoxication: Unfortunately, many people associate boating with drinking, regardless of the reason for being on the water. Intoxication impairs reaction time and leads to reckless driving. Boating while intoxicated is illegal and extremely dangerous. 
• Aggressive Driving: Boaters often get carried away and attempt tricks or high speeds, which can easily lead to crashes and serious injuries.  
• Equipment Malfunction: Boats are exposed to constant wear-and-tear and can easily stall or break down on the open water. Boats that aren’t properly maintained and inspected are at risk of obstructing the waterways and causing other boats to crash into them. 

Boating may look simple from afar, but there are numerous regulations at play and safety concerns that arise on the open water. Caution should be exercised anytime you operate this type of vehicle and be prepared for any eventuality. 

Potential Liability in Boat Accident Claims

After seeking medical attention, the first thought that enters most people’s minds in an accident is whose fault it was. Oftentimes, drivers simply point the finger at the “other guy”, but it is usually more complicated to determine who is liable for the accident, and liability is not restricted simply to the two drivers. Examples of potential liable parties include:

• Driver(s): Often, an accident’s cause can be attributed to one of the boat drivers. In such cases, they or their insurance company may be liable for damages.  
• Owner of the Boat: In cases where the driver was not the owner of the boat and should not have been allowed to operate the boat, the owner may be found liable for the accident.
• Passenger: In rare cases, a passenger can be liable for the accident if they caused a distraction or otherwise impaired the driver’s function, leading to an accident. 
• Boat Manufacturer: Like car accidents, manufacturers can be liable for accidents through product liability if it can be demonstrated that faulty construction or equipment malfunctioning caused the accident. 
• Marina/Dock Owner: Dock owners can be liable for any accident caused by improper maintenance of the docking area or environmental conditions at the dock. 

There are often numerous parties at play in any boating accident. Determining liability can quickly become complicated and require the assistance of an accident lawyer. 

Recoverable Damages in Boat Accident Claims

After a boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Common types include:

• Economic: Economic damages are often the simplest and consist of property damage, healthcare expenses, and lost wages. 
• Non-economic: The damage from accidents is not always easily quantified by a dollar amount. Damages can be awarded for pain and suffering and emotional distress following the accident. 
• Punitive: Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the liable party’s behavior was particularly negligent or egregious, as in accidents caused by intoxication.

Boats are expensive to maintain and repair, and accidents come with a variety of costs. A boating accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for those damages.

Contact Hastings & Hastings to Schedule Your Free Consultation

Our team at Hastings & Hastings is skilled and experienced in handling boat accident claims. We can help you determine liability, recover compensation, and assist you in every step of the claims process. While accidents range in severity, all of them are stressful and lead to paperwork and navigating complex systems like claims processing. A lawyer can give you peace of mind and assist throughout the entire process. Contact us now for a free consultation if you or someone you know has been involved in a boating accident.