Harrison County Boat Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury while on or near the water in Harrison County, you may have the right to pursue compensation for your losses with the help of a tenacious injury attorney. However, just because you have the right to demand payments does not mean you will receive them.
Just like any other claims or damages following a personal injury, plaintiffs in boat accident cases need to prove that another party was at-fault for an incident. Normally, this means proving one or more defendants was negligent. Because boaters have the duty to act reasonably keep all other people safe, a failure to perform this duty leaves them liable for all damage that they cause.
A Harrison County boat accident lawyer could help you pursue your claim against negligent boaters. These include the operators of powerboats, sailboats, kayaks, and jet-skis. A successful claim could bring you and your family money to pay for medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma and help you work toward a full and complete recovery.
Laws Controlling Safe Boat Operation
Every person who operates a watercraft assumes a duty. This duty requires them to not place any other person at an unnecessary risk of harm. This duty extends to other boaters, their passengers, people in the water, and those standing on docks.
A large part of this responsibility involves obeying all rules of the waterway on which they are operating. These include:
- Obeying speed limits
- Following navigational buoys
- Having proper safety gear, such as lights for night boating
- Not operating too close to posted swimming areas
In addition, boaters must take general caution to prevent accidents. Distracted boating, texting while at the controls, or boating while intoxicated are all reckless activities that place other people at a significant risk of harm. A Harrison County boat accident lawyer could help investigate the causes of accidents to determine if a defendant’s negligence was the prime cause of a collision.
Potential Consequences of Boating Accidents
Any boating accident could result in serious injuries. Naturally, motorboats are a clear example of potentially deadly collisions. When these vehicles move at a high speed, they could cause serious injuries to their passengers or others on or in the water.
Unpowered vessels are surprisingly dangerous too. Larger sailboats moving at speed are as much a hazard as powerboats. Additionally, they could be difficult to control in harsh wind conditions, and their quiet running could give other people little notice of their presence.
No matter a defendant’s mode of transport on the water, he or she liable for any damage caused. This includes payment for all necessary medical care, reimbursement for all lost earnings, and payments to cover the emotional toll of his or her actions.
However, the law in Harrison County allows a defendant to argue that a plaintiff contributed to the accident. Under Mississippi Code Annotated §11-7-15, a court must evaluate the actions of all parties to an accident. If that court believes that a plaintiff contributed to the accident, that court would then reduce a plaintiff’s award after trial. As a result, it is essential for all plaintiffs to not only prove their losses, but also that a defendant was the sole party at-fault for the accident. A Harrison County boat accident lawyer could help to prove both these points.
A Harrison County Boat Accident Attorney is Dedicated to Fighting for People Hurt in Boating Accidents
People who suffer injuries because of the negligence of boaters have rights. These people could include those in their own vessels, swimmers in the water, passengers in the defendant’s boat, and even people on docks. Because boaters assume a duty to protect these people, they are liable to pay if their negligence causes an injury.
These injuries are often severe. It is not uncommon for plaintiffs to suffer broken bones, severe cuts, and traumatic brain injuries. Fortunately, a Harrison County boat accident attorney could help to preserve and pursue your claim. An attorney understands the law as it applies to safe boating. Call today for your completely free consultation.
