When you are a boater, you know to equip your boat, restrict alcohol, and forbid unlicensed persons from navigating for you. Unfortunately, some boaters are not responsible and cause injuries to others sharing the waterways.
Negligent boaters put their passengers, other boaters, paddleboarders, swimmers, and water skiers at risk of devastating injuries and sometimes death. When your day begins with an exhilarating boat ride and ends in the hospital because of someone’s negligence, a Gretna recreational boat accident lawyer could help you seek compensation for your losses. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will not charge you anything until we win your case.
Boating Laws
Once an interested boater turns 16, they can apply for a license. To operate a recreational boat, they must pass a state-approved course or be in the company of a boater who has.
Some, but not all, state boating laws include:
- Vessels must keep right when passing
- Motorboats passing sailboats must maintain a direct course
- When crossing paths, the vessel on the right has the right-of-way
- With exceptions, motorboats must yield right-of-way to non-motor vessels such as sailboats
- Vessels can be overtaken on either the left or right, but the vessel overtaken has the right-of-way
Boaters must follow many other regulations. Failing to do so and causing an accident could lead to a negligence lawsuit. A Gretna recreational boat accident attorney advocates for an injured person after a water collision caused by a negligent operator.
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504-500-1111Negligence Causes Recreational Boating Accidents
All boaters have a duty to act responsibly, which is measured by how a reasonable person in the same situation would behave. When someone else is injured because the boater’s action was irresponsible, the injured party may be eligible for compensation.
For example, the state treats boaters who are drunk or high while operating their crafts like they treat drunk or drug-impaired drivers. The Coast Guard patrols waterways looking for impaired boaters and charges them for their criminal acts. When someone is harmed because of an impaired boater, civil actions for compensation are also appropriate. Although insurers are the first avenue for compensating injured parties, a Gretna recreational boat accident attorney could hold impaired boaters accountable and work to get the injured person the most money possible.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are granted by a jury in two forms: economic and non-economic. Economic damages replace what an injured plaintiff has lost and can be calculated, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages assign a dollar amount to a subjective loss, such as how it feels to be disfigured, suffer constant pain, or to lose the ability to enjoy life.
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504-500-1111How Long Does an Injured Plaintiff Have to File a Lawsuit?
Time is limited to file a personal injury lawsuit, including for injuries suffered in a Gretna recreational boat accident. According to Louisiana Civil Code Section 3492, with few exceptions, plaintiffs have one year from the date of the boat accident to sue the person responsible.
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504-500-1111Contact a Gretna Recreational Boat Accident Attorney Who Could Win Your Case
Recreational boating is a popular pastime year-round. When a negligent boater injures you, we will advocate for you. We champion those who deserve compensation and have a track record of getting it.
A boating accident can keep you out of work and cost thousands of dollars in medical bills. Your emotional distress can be debilitating. A Gretna recreational boating accident lawyer understands how much adequate compensation will mean to you and we could direct our efforts toward getting it.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
