California witnesses numerous boat accidents each year. This is primarily because of the presence of almost 900,000 water vessels registered in this state. As a result of boat accidents, many people suffer from serious injuries. In fact, serious incidents can even involve fatalities. While you would think that many of these accidents occur because of certain weather conditions, the statistics point in a different direction. A majority of such incidents take place due to the negligence from one of the parties involved.
If you or one of your loved ones has met such an unfortunate incident, you should know that getting justice is certainly possible. A qualified boat accident attorney in Sacramento can help you fight the negligent party and recover damages.
As mentioned earlier, boat accidents are often a result of negligence rather than external conditions such as the weather. Some of the common causes of boat accidents include the distraction or lack of attention from the operator’s side. Falling off the boat is also a common occurrence. It can be a result of excessive alcohol consumption of people on board.
The collision of boats into other water bodies and vessels is another situation that occurs due to the operator’s negligence. In many of these cases, the negligence is a result of alcohol influence. An experienced boat accident attorney in Sacramento will work with you to understand the events that lead to the accident. Furthermore, they will find out whether the other party had been negligent.
According to the law, operators are responsible for reporting a boat accident as soon as it occurs to the authorities. They are also obligated to help the injured people and submit a report to the California Department of Boating. However, this report is only necessary when:
This report needs to be submitted to the authorities within 48 hours of the incident if there was an injury, fatality, or disappearance involved. However, if the accident only resulted in property damage, the operator has ten days to submit the report. A qualified boat accident attorney in Sacramento can file this report on your behalf.
The Jones Act of the Merchant Marine Act allows the injured party to claim for damages and receive compensation from their employer if they can prove negligence. However, their claim period is only limited to two years after the accident takes place. If you attempt to file a lawsuit after two years have passed, rejection will be imminent. If the operator of the boat has shown negligence and you have suffered injuries due to their negligence, you can recover damages and file a lawsuit against the operator or other negligent parties within two years. There are some exceptions to this law which make it possible for the injured party to claim after the two years. These include:
A qualified boat accident attorney in Sacramento will help you understand all these rules and regulations and encourage you to take the right steps at the right time.
Once your boat accident attorney in Sacramento has understood who the negligent party is, you can move on to filing a lawsuit against the party and recover damages. A skilled boat accident attorney in Sacramento will help you calculate the total damages. These damages include:
Finding the right boat accident attorney in Sacramento is extremely important for your ability to recover as much in damages as possible. A qualified boat accident attorney in Sacramento will help you understand the laws and regulations of your case and work with you to calculate the amount in damages you should be aiming to claim from the negligent party. When trying to find the right boat accident attorney in Sacramento, make sure you look at their:
We have a team of experienced and professional boat accident attorneys known for their success and compassion. At www.lawyeronmyside.com, we make sure all our clients get the justice they deserve. If you are looking for support throughout this difficult journey, contact us today to get help from a qualified boat accident attorney.
