Arizona Boat Accident Lawyer
From fishing to having fun on Arizona lakes and rivers, boating is a popular activity for locals and tourists. Additionally, the Arizona heat is a perfect excuse for residents to spend their day on the waterways. However, it is not always fun, as a boat accident can turn a day on the waterways into a disaster.
From traumatic brain injuries to broken bones, a boat accident can lead to catastrophic injuries or death. While most boating accidents are due to negligence by boat owners and operators and the law entitles victims to compensation, personal injury claims in such accidents are often complicated. Besides dealing with insurance companies seeking to shortchange you, you may need to deal with conflicting and often complex federal and state maritime laws.
Accordingly, it is critical to seek the help of a skilled and experienced boat accident lawyer to help you navigate the legal process and recover damages. Kevin Chapman, our skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer at Rowley Chapman & Barney Ltd, will guide you through the process while defending your right to fair compensation.
Common Causes of Boat Accidents
Like in other personal injury claims, the at-fault party in a boat accident is liable for damages. Accordingly, it is critical to identify the cause of an accident to know the liable party. Some of the most common causes of boat accidents in Arizona include:
- Inexperienced operators
- Distracted boating
- Improper lookout
- Operating at a high speed
- Vessel collisions
- Boating while drunk or under the influence
- Disregarding boating or navigation rules
- Overloaded or Overcrowded boats
- Machinery failure
- Poor boat maintenance
While a boat accident can also be due to other causes, including hazardous weather conditions, most accidents are due to negligence by the operator or boat owner. Typically, boat operators owe a duty of care to other boaters and are often liable for boating accidents.
Common Boat Accident Injuries
Unlike accidents on dryland, including car accidents, boating accidents have the added danger of a victim potentially drowning. Generally, a simple boating accident where a victim sustains little to no physical injuries can turn tragic if they jump or are thrown overboard and drown. Besides the danger of drowning, other boat accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and severe fractures
- Amputations
- Burns
- Severe cuts and bruises
While most boat accidents are not fatal, they can lead to serious life-changing injuries. Additionally, a boat accident is likely to leave you emotionally scarred.
Recovering Damages in a Boat Accident and Why You Need a Lawyer
While Arizona law entitles boat accident victims to compensation for personal injuries, they can also recover compensation for property damage. In some instances, victims can also press criminal charges against operators for gross negligence, including operating under the influence. However, most boat accident cases are personal injury claims for negligence.
Like other personal injury claims involving negligence, multiple parties may be at fault for an Arizona boat accident. The law also requires victims to prove the defendant’s negligence in a personal injury lawsuit.
Considering the adversarial nature of most personal injury claims, you need a skilled boat accident lawyer to help you recover damages in a boat accident. Besides defending your rights, a lawyer will also help you deal with the legal complexities of a boat accident claim, including statute of limitations and multiple defendants.
Contact an Arizona Boat Accident Lawyer
Despite the recreational nature of boating, a boat accident can leave you with severe and sometimes permanent injuries requiring lengthy and often expensive medical treatment. While the law entitles you to compensation for an accident due to someone else’s negligence, recovering damages in a boat accident is often complicated. However, a skilled and proven Arizona boat accident lawyer can help you.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Arizona boating accident, we are here for you. Kevin Chapman, our skilled and experienced boating accident lawyer at Rowley Chapman & Barney Ltd, is committed to helping you get the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us for a free consultation and to learn more about our services.
