If you suffered injuries or the death of a loved one because of a boating accident, we may be able to help. The team at Bogin, Munns & Munns, along with a The Villages boating accident lawyer, can help you and your family build a case. A boating accident can happen in many ways. A driver could be ignorant of boat traffic laws, simply not be paying attention, or even operating a boat while intoxicated.
When you cannot get adequate compensation from an insurance claim alone, a lawsuit may be your best option. Whether you are pursuing a personal injury case or a wrongful death lawsuit, we can assist. Call us today at (352) 391-6031 for your free consultation.
Boating Accidents Can Happen Anywhere
People go boating all over Florida, and The Villages is no exception. It can be a fun way to spend the day on the water, but boating comes with major responsibility. Just like driving any other vehicle, operating a boat is a serious task. Boaters need to remain mindful of their surroundings and stay up to date on the waterways’ laws and regulations.
According to the United States Coast Guard (USCG), alcohol was the top known contributing factor of fatal boat accidents in 2019. Drinking and boating are entirely preventable. Alcohol or drugs make it difficult for a person to react and stay alert while driving a boat, just like it would while driving a car.
As far as non-fatal boating accidents, the USCG states that operator inattention is the top known contributing factor. That simply means that the person driving the boat was not paying attention to the task at hand. They failed to recognize what passengers were doing, where other boats were in relation to theirs, or the changes in the environment.
Other factors include speeding, improper lookout, inexperience, and violating rules. These behaviors are all preventable. An inexperienced driver should be sure they have a more experienced operator with them before heading out, for instance.
No one can control the weather, of course, but failing to head back to land once weather turns dangerous could be considered negligent. If you believe that one of these negligent behaviors caused your accident, you could pursue damages.
Injuries Suffered Because of a Boating Accident
Some people can come out of a boating accident unscathed. Others are not so lucky. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reports 453 injuries from boating accidents in 2019. Most of those injuries were lacerations or cuts. Other possible injuries include head injuries, contusions, spinal injuries, and internal injuries.
Of course, death is also possible. According to the FWC, Florida had more boating fatalities than any other state in 2018. When a fatality occurs from a boating accident, it is usually because the victim falls overboard and drowns. Many of the drivers did not have any formal boating education.
To consult with an experienced boating accident lawyer serving The Villages
855-780-9986
Do Not Delay
Lawsuits for boating accidents must follow the state statute of limitations. Accident victims have up to two years from the date of their accident to file a lawsuit for damages.
If you miss this deadline, you may no longer be able to seek compensation for your injuries and losses. You have enough to deal with on your own, let us manage the deadlines and other necessary tasks.
There are exceptions to these time limits. A The Villages boating accident lawyer on our team can investigate your case and let you know if you meet one of these exceptions.
Call Bogin, Munns & Munns today at (352) 391-6031 for a free case review.
Damages You Could Recover
Nearly any of the costs you incurred because of the accident could be included in a lawsuit. This includes both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are things that you can easily give a dollar value. On the other hand, noneconomic damages are those that may not have an assigned value, but they are still impactful to your quality of life.
Some economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Funeral and burial expenses, if filing a wrongful death lawsuit
- Diminished earning capacity, which compensates you if the injuries you suffered will prevent you from earning the same salary that you did before the accident
Noneconomic damages are less tangible, but you could still recover with an insurance claim. These can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Humiliation
- Loss of consortium, or the loss of some aspects of your relationships as a direct result of the accident, such as the intimacy of a spouse
- Loss of companionship if you are filing a wrongful death case to compensate for the loss of your loved one
- Loss of parental companionship and guidance if the victim was a parent to minor children
This is not an all-inclusive list. A lawyer will be able to help you determine which costs you are eligible to include in your case and an appropriate dollar amount to pursue.
You will need to prove that the other boat driver was being negligent to recover damages from them. Bogin, Munns & Munns can assist you with the legal aspects of building a strong case.
The Villages Boating Accident Lawyer Near Me
855-780-9986
Call Our Team Today
If you were involved in a boating accident that was not your fault, you have a right to seek compensation for the damages you have suffered. Someone else’s negligent behavior while operating a boat could make them liable for the costs of the accident.
That means they could owe you for medical bills, lost wages, and more. You do not have to suffer more because of someone else’s reckless behavior.
Get your case started today. It only takes a phone call. Our team can offer a free consultation, and we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you will not owe us anything out of pocket unless we win your case for you.
Bogin, Munns & Munns wants to put a The Villages boating accident lawyer on your team. Call us now at (352) 391-6031. You do not have to fight for compensation on your own.
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