Boating is a popular recreational activity for many people in the United States. However, like many activities, when people are not exercising caution, boating can prove quite dangerous. Thousands of boating accidents occur every year, leading to thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths. When boating accidents occur, they often result from human error, and from someone being negligent. In these cases, those injured in the accident normally have the ability to recover compensation from the negligent person who was responsible for the accident and resulting injuries.

Boating accident claims are likely based on negligence

As with most personal injury claims, boating accident claims will likely be based on the concept of negligence. Negligence occurs when a person does not act as a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances. In order to make a successful claim, the victim must have been injured as a result of the person’s negligent actions. In the case of boating, this analysis will likely revolve around the actions of the person operating the boat, or a person operating another boat.

Common reasons for boating accidents

Operating a boat is not unlike operating an automobile in that the person responsible for operating a boat is obligated to be paying attention to what they are doing. Many accidents are caused simply because the person operating the boat was not paying attention or keeping a proper lookout for hazards or people that might be in the boat’s path. So, much like driving, a person operating a boat might be found negligent if they were too busy taking a selfie to notice an obstruction in the water.

Also much like driving, a boat operator might be negligent for speeding. If a boat is going too fast, the likelihood of an accident increases. The same goes for operating a boat while intoxicated. If a person operating a boat causes an accident because they were too inebriated to properly do so, then there will likely be a case to be made for negligence. Other causes include boating in bad weather, or violating navigational rules.

The inattention of a boat operator can lead to collisions with other boats, rocks or other objects in the water, or hitting wakes or waves that can propel passengers out of their seats.

Another possible way a boat operator might be found negligent is if he or she did not have the proper safety equipment on board at the time of an accident. State and federal laws mandate that boats are required to have certain equipment, and a failure to do so can make even a boat operator who did not cause the accident carry some of the liability for injuries that result from the lack of safety equipment.

Contacting an attorney for your boating accident

If you were injured in a boating accident, you should consider consulting an attorney at Montlick & Associates to learn about your legal rights as well as what steps are necessary to protect those rights. Boating accidents can cause serious injuries, leading to significant damages, such as medical bills, lost wages and Pain and Suffering.

Put Our Law Firm’s Over 39 Years Of Legal Experience To Work For Your Case!

If you have been injured in any accident caused by someone else’s negligence, call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law for your free consultation today. Montlick & Associates has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.

No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour live chat.

Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law
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Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (800) LAW-NEED
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333
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