Sacramento Boat Accident Lawyer

When Negligence Causes an Accident, Our Attorneys Are Here to Help

During a hot California summer, there’s nothing better than a day out on the water. However, this cool pastime comes with risks not everyone is prepared for. Whether you’re fishing, entertaining, or just out for a ride, a boat accident can strand you far away from the nearest help. The danger increases when others on the water are careless and negligent. If you’ve been injured in a boat accident, make sure you have the right legal team on your side.

Call our Sacramento boat accident attorneys at (916) 229-6755 for a free consultation. We’re dedicated to helping you find justice after an injury.

Boating Accident Causes and Liability

Each year, hundreds of people die in boating accidents, and thousands more face the risk of injury. Many factors can contribute to ill fortune on the waters. Boaters are uniquely vulnerable both because the water can be deadly and because they are far from land and, therefore, help. Small mistakes made in the minute or even during preparation could lead to tragedy. The most common boating accidents in 2018 were:

• Collision with another recreational watercraft
• Collision with a fixed object
• Craft becoming flooded or swamped
• Accidental grounding
• Falls overboard

However, this is just a preview of the factors that can lead to injuries or death on the water. Though determining the cause of an accident may not be easy, it’s the first step to receiving the compensation you need for your recovery.

Operator Negligence

Much like driving a car, piloting a boat safely requires attention to many different elements at one time. Anyone who takes the helm should be licensed, but even this cannot remove the risk of mistakes or poor choices. Distractions or mishandling of a boat may cause a collision, capsize, grounding, or another injurious event.

Equipment Error and Failure

Buoyancy takes a lot of work, especially when boats are equipped with heavy engines and/or made to hold many people. Should the hull of the boat fail, there is no way to stop it from sinking. If an engine spontaneously shuts off, a craft will be stranded. Or, if steering, braking, or similar components break down, the captain may have no way to avoid a crash.

Alcohol Use

Drinking while you’re behind the wheel is against the law—even in boats. Sadly, each year, many people take the chance with their, and others’, lives. Alcohol is the primary cause of 19% of fatal boat accidents, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Whether you’re in a boat that’s being driven by someone who’s had too much to drink or you’re hit by another craft with an inebriated captain, you could have cause to bring a claim against them for their recklessness.

Commercial vs. Personal Craft Injuries

If you’re injured on a paid-for cruise, the parties you’ll hold liable will be different than those you’d bring to account after an accident on your friend’s malfunctioning jet ski. Any company that owns and/or operates boats commercially must have insurance to cover their business. Personal craft, meanwhile, are typically covered by homeowner’s insurance. In the case of an injury caused by an equipment failure, you would work with either the manufacturer’s insurance (if the defect was in the design) or the maintenance and repair company that failed to do their job properly.

Whether the liability seems simple or complex in your case, reach out to our team to see how we can help. Whether you’re making a claim against an insurer or cruise ship company, having qualified legal support can make all the difference.

Were You Injured in a Sacramento Boating Accident?

As boating accidents vary in type, the injuries suffered by victims cover a wide range. Those involved in a crash or collision on the water may experience:

• Fractured or broken bones
• Traumatic brain injury
• Burn injury (rarely) or electric shock
• Slip and fall
• Loss of limb
• Wrongful death

If you or a loved one has been hurt in one of these ways and/or suffered other serious injuries in a boating accident, you may be able to sue for compensation. With the high price of medical care, many accident victims need significant financial help to access quality care and achieve a full recovery. We’re here to advocate for you.

Call Del Rio & Caraway, P.C. at (916) 229-6755 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We provide small-firm attention and quality advocacy.