Boating accidents are more common than you might think, often leading to detrimental injuries and, occasionally, death. No traffic lanes and stop signs exist on open water in Utah or Arizona, and carelessness while boating can lead to disastrous results. If you or a loved one gets hurt on the water from someone’s negligence, you’ll need help from an experienced boating accident lawyer. Esquire Law is a respected boat accident law firm serving clients throughout Phoenix, Tucson, and Salt Lake City. Our skilled personal injury lawyers can help you pursue compensation while defending your rights and advocating on your behalf.
Receive Support Seeking Compensation After a Boating Accident
A boating injury can include anything from a scrape or burn to major spinal or brain damage. Since these injuries are due to another person’s negligence on the water, you may wish to seek compensation for your losses from the liable party.
Most people don’t have the legal know-how, time, or resources to navigate a lawsuit alone, especially when recovering from injuries and dealing with the accident’s aftermath. That’s why it’s so important to contact a nautical injury attorney to represent you inside and outside the courtroom. Our personal injury lawyers in Phoenix, AZ, Tucson, AZ, and Salt Lake City, UT, will work diligently to assist you in your pursuit of justice.
Top Causes of Boat Accident Injuries
It’s possible to avoid needing a maritime accident lawyer by adhering to safety practices while boating. Examples of best practices include wearing your life jacket correctly and not operating the vessel while you’re intoxicated or distracted.
Still, some boating incidents may be out of your control. Below are several common ways people hurt themselves on boats, lakes, and waterways:
- Lack of safety equipment and first aid kits on the vessel
- Boat operators neglect to pay attention to where they’re going
- Slips and falls on a wet boat deck
- Boating equipment failure
- Improper boat maintenance
- Reckless passengers
- Boat operators not following waterway rules
- Boat collisions with other aquatic vessels or objects under the water
- Operators under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Suppose you or a loved one sustains a serious injury during a boating accident. In that case, you must file an incident report with your local Parks and Recreation Boating Department or Game and Fish Department.
Your next call should be to a boating accident lawyer from Esquire Law. Whether you need one of our personal injury lawyers in Tucson, Phoenix, or Salt Lake City, we can provide the boating accident legal counsel and guidance you need.
Main Types of Boat Accidents in Arizona and Utah
People need watercraft injury lawyers in Utah and Arizona due to many types of water-related incidents, including the following.
Vessel Crash
Boat or vessel collisions are among the most common waterway accidents. They occur when one boat strikes another, causing property damage and physical injuries. Esquire Law’s boat accident attorneys can help you navigate the legal complexities of a vessel crash while recovering from your injuries.
Engine Fire
A potentially devastating fire can break out on your water vessel due to problems like a faulty engine or fuel leak. Inexperience in operating a boat could also lead to a damaging fire.
Our boating accident lawyers can deliver superior litigation services in Utah and Arizona if someone sustains bodily burns, ruined property, or death due to a boat engine fire. Though we strive for fair settlements, we have ample litigation experience and will fight for you in court if necessary.
Injuries and Deaths From Drowning
Death from drowning is an unfortunate consequence if you or someone else falls off a boat and enters the water without a life jacket. It’s also possible to get hit by another vessel and become unconscious or injure yourself on an underwater object, even if you have a life jacket on.
In Arizona and Utah, our boat collision attorneys from Esquire Law have years of experience advocating for the rights of drowning victims and their surviving loved ones. We can help determine liability for drowning injuries and deaths.
Wake-Related Injuries
When a jet ski, speed boat, or other vessel travels on water, it creates a “wake” or human-made wave of water. The faster the boat travels, the bigger the wake. These waves can interfere with other boaters, preventing them from efficiently and safely navigating waters.
At Esquire Law, our marine vessel accident lawyers know that some waterways in Arizona forbid wakes, which means boaters must keep their speeds in check. We can help establish liability if your boating accident was due to someone ignoring those no-wake rules.
Operation Under the Influence
Driving while intoxicated on drugs and alcohol is illegal in Utah and Arizona. The same rule applies to everyone operating an aquatic vessel.
Operating a boat while inebriated can lead to legal and civil liabilities. Thankfully, Esquire Law has plenty of experience helping victims of boating accidents involving drugs and alcohol.
What To Do After a Boat Accident
The first thing you should do following a boat accident is check for injuries. Sometimes, boaters must seek help returning to shore. Immediate medical attention may also be necessary. In Arizona, you have two days to report the incident to authorities to avoid legal penalties.
If the incident results from another boater’s negligence or carelessness, you may have grounds to pursue monetary compensation against the liable party. After doctors treat your injuries and you’re stable enough to begin recovery, contact a boating accident lawyer from Esquire Law.
Some boat accident claims are straightforward and result in a settlement. Others are more complex, making settling difficult. Whether you can settle quickly or take your claim to court, our legal team will guide you through the process from start to finish.
How Often Do Water-Related and Boating Accidents Occur?
It might be surprising to learn that the need for personal injury lawyers in Salt Lake City, UT, due to boating accidents isn’t an infrequent occurrence. According to the American Boating Association, the U.S. Coast Guard reported more than 5,200 water-related accidents in 2020 alone. More than 40 of those boat accidents happened in Utah, with 22 non-fatal injuries and nine fatalities.
How the Attorneys at Esquire Law Can Help
You don’t have to fight for your rights after a boat accident alone. We at Esquire Law have years of experience helping clients with nautical injuries seek fair compensation. Our legal team has vast knowledge of maritime law and will use our skills to evaluate your case, prove your claim, and pursue damages for your losses.
Help Set Up the Case Investigation
Count on Esquire Law and our boating accident lawyers to gather sufficient evidence for your lawsuit. We’ll do everything from interviewing witnesses to taking photographs of injuries, damages, and other essential details. Our attorneys will use our many resources to build a worthwhile case for you.
Confirm Accident Liability
Liability can extend to boaters who don’t complete essential certification courses, fail to follow maritime rules, and operate boats while under the influence. We can establish liability using our investigative skills and knowledge of maritime law in Utah and Arizona.
Determine Recoverable Damages
Every boat accident case is different, so compensation will vary. We at Esquire Law will assess every aspect of your claim to determine your recoverable damages, which could include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Lost wages
Understanding the Utah Statute of Limitations in a Boating Accident Case
You have a specific timeframe for filing a boating accident claim in Utah. According to the Utah Chapter 18 – State Boating Act, boaters must register their vessels, follow all safety regulations, and maintain sufficient safety equipment on their boats. If they fail to do so, victims of their boating negligence have four years to file a claim in Utah.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If the Boating Accident Was Partially My Fault?
Arizona follows the modified comparative negligence rule, meaning that claimants may still be eligible for compensation if both parties share liability.
What Is the Procedure for Determining Liability in a Boating Accident?
Liable parties in a boating accident are those who don’t follow reasonable safety precautions. To sue, you must prove the other party’s responsibility for boating cautiously and their failure to do so, which led to an injury or death. Making a strong case will be difficult without sufficient evidence of their negligence.
In a Boating Accident Lawsuit, What Types of Compensation Can I Pursue?
You can pursue the same personal injury damages for a boating accident as for a land-based accident. Compensation may include lost income, medical bills, and pain and suffering. A lawyer can help you calculate
Boating Accident Attorneys and Law Services in Phoenix, Tucson, and Salt Lake City
You may be eligible for damages following a water-related accident. An Esquire Law boating accident lawyer can review your case in Arizona or Utah and help you navigate the legal processes should you decide to pursue a claim. Call (602) 654-2950 today for a consultation.