Do you have a need for speed? There are many such people not just on the highways but also on waterways. And, with more people are taking an interest in boating, there are higher numbers of private pleasure crafts out on the water. Here in Louisiana, more people are also getting into jet skiing and speed boats. For those reasons, it is not surprising that the number of boating accidents has increased in recent years.
Common Boat Accident Causes
Boating accidents happen for a wide range of reasons. These include:
- Errors by drivers or operators
- Inexperience of drivers or operators
- Poisoning by exhaust fumes or carbon monoxide
- Driving at excessively high speeds
- Adverse weather conditions
- Failure of equipment
- Explosions
- Distracted driving
- Operating boats under the influence
Who is Liable?
Liability in boating accidents varies depending on the circumstances of the accident. Various factors must be considered in determining liability starting with evidence that a breach of duty of reasonable care on the part of a boat operator resulted in the accident.
When determining liability, various navigational rules are considered. Like the ‘rules of the road’, these rules govern how vessels should operate when they meet. These navigational rules are international and have been standardized for use throughout the world. This ensures that boats from different regions follow the same rules. These rules are used to determine who was at fault when a collision occurs.
Not every case is clear cut though. It is therefore important to retain experienced boating negligence lawyers to assist you in gathering evidence, filing your claim, negotiating a settlement and/or pursuing your case all the way through trial. You may also need expert testimony to prove that the defendant’s negligence caused your accident.
Common Injuries from Boating Accidents
Boating accidents vary in severity. Injuries resulting from these accidents also vary in severity. They include:
- Head trauma
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain injuries
- Disfigurement
- Lacerations
- Amputations
- Drowning
- Death
After the Accident
If you or someone you know has been involved in a boating accident, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. If your injuries happened in New Orleans or anywhere in Louisiana, please contact the experienced boat accident attorneys at Stag Liuzza. Call us today at 504-593-9600 for a free claim evaluation.
