Boating is a preferred pastime for many adventurous residents of Inverness. Unfortunately, however, not all of those residents operate their boats with the skill and consideration required by state law, often leading to severe accidents. When you are hurt in an accident on the water because of negligence by another boater, taking proactive legal action against them could be vital to ensure your injuries do not have long-term effects on your personal and professional life.
Support from a dedicated Inverness boat accident lawyer could make a huge difference in how effectively you pursue your case and how much financial recovery you can obtain. Even if you have no experience with civil litigation, a skilled personal injury attorney could guide you through each step of the legal process and work tirelessly to get you a favorable case result.
Who Is Liable for a Boating Collision?
Like motor vehicle drivers, boat operators have a duty to operate their vessels safely, follow all applicable boating regulations, and watch out for other watercraft and people in the water. This “duty of care” applies to all boat drivers, including those young enough to need a Boating Safety Education ID Card and those cited for recklessly operating a watercraft.
Any violation of this duty that directly leads to a collision with another vessel, a swimmer, or even someone on the shore could constitute legally actionable “negligence,” especially when the crash is the leading cause of an injury requiring professional medical care. Likewise, a vessel operator who injures a passenger by carelessly operating their boat or failing to have appropriate safety equipment on board could also be considered reckless.
Establishing negligence is essential when bringing a claim for damages that result from boat accidents. Fortunately, guidance from a knowledgeable attorney in Inverness could be vital to collecting evidence of a boating collision, building the strongest possible case against the negligent driver, and avoiding legal and procedural obstacles that could delay a settlement.
Recovering Compensation Within Filing Deadlines After a Boat Crash
One of the main obstacles a boat crash victim might face while seeking financial restitution is the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Florida. Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3), the most amount of time someone typically has to file a civil suit is four years after sustaining their injury if the accident occurred prior to March 24, 2023, or two years if after that date. This can be a deceptively short period to construct a comprehensive case.
A successful case, though, can demand compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including the following:
- Medical bills
- Vessel repair or replacement costs
- Lost income and diminished earning ability
- Physical pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Psychological and emotional trauma
A capable lawyer could identify all compensable losses and pursue fair restitution for crash victims after a boating accident in Inverness.
Get in Touch with an Experienced Inverness Attorney After a Boat Accident
Especially at high speeds, boat accidents on the water can be even more dangerous than traffic accidents. That said, after a watercraft incident, you can—and should—take legal action against the responsible party by demanding that they compensate you for the harm their negligence caused.
A dedicated Inverness boat accident lawyer could be your ally throughout your legal proceedings. Call today to schedule an initial consultation and begin filing your claim as soon as possible.
