With thousands of miles of rivers and 53 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama is a popular site for commerce, boating, fishing, and maritime recreation. Although the use of these waterways is a boon to our economy and an amazing way to explore the outdoors, boating accidents are all too common. At Moore Law Firm, our boat accident attorneys have more than 35 years of experience in representing clients who have been injured or have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a boating accident, our personal injury lawyers can assess your case and determine whether filing a boating accident claim to recover damages is appropriate.
Causes And Types Of Boating Accidents
Whether you’re using a Jet Ski, fishing, water skiing, or taking a sunset cruise, recreational and commercial boating accidents can happen at any time. There are many factors that may be involved in a boating accident, including:
Boating Under the Influence: Although operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, people do it quite frequently on Alabama waterways. Intoxicated passengers can even cause serious accidents that may lead to catastrophic injury or death.
Boating while distracted or tired: Just like distracted or drowsy driving, using your phone or being fatigued while operating a boat is a grave mistake and can cause serious injury.
Defective parts: Boat parts that fail or don’t work correctly are often the cause of accidents involving explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Our boating accident attorneys have handled hundreds of personal injury cases involving product liability claims. We understand how to pursue all possible avenues of compensation to ensure you get the care you need.
Reckless boating: Failure to follow laws, rules, and proper safety protocols when operating a boat, water skiing, tubing, or jet skiing can have disastrous consequences. Even if the operator of the boat was not intoxicated, they may still have been operating the boat in a reckless manner and therefore be liable for your injuries. This includes the operator of a boat that you were a passenger aboard, or the operator of another boat who may have caused an accident.
Failing to follow weather advisories: There’s a reason that the National Weather Service issues marine watches and warnings—to help those who spend time on the water stay safe. Disregarding wind, rain, and hurricane alerts can lead to serious crashes, capsizing boats, and other deadly situations.
Poorly trained crew & improper safety procedures: When those who work on excursion boats and cruise ships are inadequately trained or don’t follow safety rules, it can put everyone’s lives at risk. Both the crew members themselves and the company or individual that owns the boat may be liable in these types of cases.
All of these factors may result in collisions with other boats or objects, capsizing, waterskiing, tubing, and wakeboarding accidents, drowning, and other types of boating mishaps.
Injuries Sustained In Boating Accidents
In some boating accident cases, victims may be lucky enough to come away with only a few minor injuries. However, marine accidents can also lead to serious injuries, including:
- Puncture wounds, lacerations, and scarring
- Torn muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissue injuries
- Fractured or crushed bones
- Neck, back, and spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Amputation
- Burns
- Electrocution
Victims who fall overboard and spend prolonged periods of time underwater can suffer from brain damage and other problems, or even death. Whether you’ve been injured in an accident involving a private boat, commercial vessel, or cruise ship, our personal injury lawyers at Moore Law Firm are here to help you sort it all out and recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
Boating & Maritime Law
Because there are different federal, state, and local laws that govern different types of waterways, boating accident lawsuits can be complex. Our team is well-versed in maritime law, the Jones Act, and other state & federal laws and regulations that apply to Alabama waterways and the Gulf of Mexico. If you’ve been injured or have lost a loved one in a boating accident, it’s critical to contact a seasoned personal injury attorney right away. Under Alabama law, victims only have two years to file a civil claim for any injury or wrongful death caused a boating accident that was the result of someone else’s negligence, unless dealing with a minor or incapacitated person.
How Our Attorneys Can Help With Your Boating Accident Claim
After a boating accident, coping with your injuries or the loss of a loved one can be challenging. Our boating accident attorneys are here to take the weight off your shoulders so you and your family can focus on healing. Our team gathers critical evidence and may engage the help of professionals who are experts in the field of boat accident analysis and reconstruction. Our personal injury lawyers handle all negotiations with insurance companies and fight aggressively to protect your rights. If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, our skilled litigators use their experience to create effective legal strategies that demonstrate to a judge or jury why the defendant is legally responsible for your injuries. We may help you recover compensation for damages such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future loss of income
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship and consortium
If the person or entity that caused your injuries acted in a particularly outrageous or egregious manner such as operating a boat while intoxicated, your attorney may also recommend that you pursue punitive damages. Punitive damages are not intended as compensation for your injuries—they are designed to punish the defendant and deter them and others from acting in a similar manner going forward.
The Cost Of Legal Representation
When faced with mounting medical bills and missed time off work, many victims wonder how they will pay for legal representation. At Moore Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. We don’t collect attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is free. In our first meeting, we’ll discuss your case, assess whether or not you have a viable boating accident claim, and answer any questions you may have.
Contact A Boating Accident Lawyer Today
Although recovering monetary compensation for our clients is our primary goal, helping injured victims and their families reclaim their lives after an accident is our passion at Moore Law Firm. Our responsive team gives you the individualized attention you deserve while providing skilled and compassionate legal support. Call us today at 251-445-7602 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Mobile boating accident attorney.