What Should I Do If I’m Involved in a Boat Accident?
If you are involved in a boat accident, you should seek medical attention, even if you believe you were unhurt. Some injuries, such as concussions, may not have symptoms immediately, so it is important to have a healthcare provider check you over as a precaution.
You will also need to report the accident to the local authorities and, if it is possible and safe to do so, retain evidence from the accident scene such as:
- Photo or video evidence of the accident scene and your injuries
- Witness contact details
- Boat operator contact details
- Passenger contact details
If someone else was responsible for causing the accident, you could be eligible to file a compensation claim. The evidence you gather at the scene, medical records, and other official reports are important documents used to prove a personal injury claim.
What Are Common Causes of Boating Accidents?
Many boating accidents are caused by alcohol use or inexperienced boat operators who fail to maintain boating safety. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, other leading causes of accidents on the water include:
- Excessive speed
- Operator inattention
- Improper lookout
- Hazardous waters
- Navigation rules violation
- Collision with a fixed object or another vessel
- Force of wave or wake
- Poor weather conditions
- Mechanical failure
Our South Carolina accident attorneys can help you to investigate how the accident occurred and protect your rights in a personal injury claim.
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving South Carolina, call 803-222-2222
Can I Claim Compensation for My Injuries After a Boating Accident?
Boat accidents can result in long-term or permanent injuries that significantly affect a survivor’s future. In the worst cases, these types of accidents are sadly fatal. Otherwise, common injuries can include traumatic brain injuries, lacerations, burns, whiplash, carbon monoxide poisoning, spinal cord injuries, fractures, broken bones, and lost limbs.
While the circumstances of boat accidents vary from case to case, compensation is available to cover financial losses, which can include:
- Current and future medical bills and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Lost or damaged property
- Any other losses related to the accident, such as home or vehicle adaptations
In fatal boating accidents, our attorneys help surviving family members file a wrongful death lawsuit if evidence shows the responsible party was negligent. While no amount of money can make up for the grief caused, it can help families to adjust financially in the absence of their loved one.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me 803-222-2222
How Do I File a Claim for Compensation If I’m Hurt in a Boating Accident?
Before filing a compensation claim, it can be beneficial to learn about your legal options during a free consultation with a boat accident lawyer in South Carolina. Managing a complex legal case and dealing with insurance companies while recovering from injuries can be stressful. Our legal team is here to address that responsibility for you by:
- Handling all administration and providing you with regular case updates
- Answering your questions promptly
- Investigating the cause of the accident
- Identifying liable parties
- Gathering and preserving evidence to support your case
- Calculating your financial damages
- Managing communications and settlement negotiations with insurance companies
- Representing you in court if necessary
We provide our legal services on a contingency agreement, meaning there are no upfront costs to pay as we use our financial resources to build and pursue your claim. We only take our fees if we obtain a favorable outcome for your case via settlement or court verdict.
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How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in South Carolina is three years per S.C. Ann. § 15-3-530. Therefore, filing your case as soon as possible is always beneficial to ensure you keep within this strict deadline. Further, the sooner you act, the quicker we can gather and preserve the evidence required to support your case before it is lost, forgotten, or destroyed.
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Are There Any Boat Accident Lawyers Near Me?
Yes! Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., has offices spanning South Carolina, and we provide home and hospital visits if your injuries prevent you from traveling to us. So, if someone else’s negligence caused your injuries in a boating accident, our attorneys are here to help you build and pursue your compensation case.
With over 25 years of experience helping people with their injury cases, we understand the challenges you and your family face at this difficult time. We take care of everything you need to build and pursue your case so that you can focus on your recovery. To learn more about your legal options during a free consultation, contact Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., at (800) 313-2546.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
