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A day of fun on the water can quickly turn serious when boat accidents occur. Whether these accidents involve a collision with another vessel or a person falling overboard, the consequences can be significant.
If you suffered boat crash injuries, now is the time to discuss your case with a dedicated personal injury attorney. A civil suit could provide you with the best avenue for seeking justice and the financial compensation that can help. Before you consider filing a lawsuit on your own, it could be in your best interest to speak with a Chesterton boat accident lawyer.
Before pursuing legal action, it is helpful to understand how boat accidents happen and who might be at fault in those situations. These accidents can occur under different circumstances and for a wide variety of reasons. With the help of a Chesterton boat accident attorney, it could be possible to pursue an injury case based on the following types of accidents.
One of the most common types of accidents involves a boat striking a fixed object. This could involve any number of objects like submerged trees, rocks, docks, or even dry land. Boaters that travel at unsafe speeds or fail to keep an eye out for hazards are most likely to cause these accidents.
Not all boat collisions involve striking a fixed object – some accidents occur when two or more boats collide. These accidents can happen due to the carelessness of a single operator, although it is not uncommon for both operators to share fault.
There are also boat accidents that do not involve any type of collision. One of the most dangerous situations that can occur on the water is when a person falls overboard, especially if they are not wearing a life jacket. Overboard accidents can happen due to issues like reckless driving or roughhousing on the vessel.
One of the most serious situations is when a boat capsizes and sinks, producing a sudden and unexpected risk of drowning. Boats sink for a wide range of reasons, from operator error to defective boat parts. An attorney could evaluate each case to determine what led to the boat capsizing and who was responsible.
Any time a watercraft collision occurs due to an act of negligence, there is a limited window of time for the injury victims to seek justice. The time limit that governs all boat accident injury claims is known as the statute of limitations.
The deadline in these cases is two years from the date the boat accident occurs. Generally, a person filing a lawsuit after the deadline expires will see their case dismissed with prejudice. That means the court will prevent them from ever filing the case again.
Navigating the statute of limitations can be tricky. Given the high stakes, it is a good idea to rely on the guidance of legal counsel to avoid missing this important deadline. A Chesterton boat accident attorney could ensure a plaintiff files their lawsuit in a timely manner.
If you survived a boat accident, the at-fault party should face accountability for your injuries – whether it was broken bones or a traumatic brain injury. These cases are complex and you should never attempt to resolve them on your own. Put your trust in the hands of a Chesterton boat accident lawyer from McCready Law. Call us as soon as possible for a free, confidential consultation.