Memphis, TN Boat Accident Attorneys

A boat or other watercraft collision can instantaneously turn a good time into a traumatic injury accident in an instant. These accidents can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries, particularly because the presence of water increases the chances of drowning for those involved.

There are no stoplights, signs, or traffic lanes to guide you out on the water. Additionally, the safety equipment available for watersports is minimal. As a result, the open water can be a dangerous place, especially if others in the water are reckless or negligent. Their lack of precaution can cause you or your loved ones to suffer traumatic injuries.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury while out on the water, you may be entitled to compensation. Our team at Gold Law Firm will work tirelessly on your behalf to aggressively pursue the compensation to which you are entitled. Insurance companies can often be false advocates. They are looking to make money and cut corners on your care. Gold Law Firm has a seasoned team in place to be the true advocate you deserve.

Why Do I Need A Lawyer After a Boating Accident?

As we set out on the water, we act with caution and expect our fellow boaters to do the same. However, this courtesy is often not returned. Irresponsible people on their speedboats, fishing boats, sailboats, Jet Ski’s, and other watercraft can cause serious accidents. Being injured in this way can be traumatic and frustrating. What can be even more frustrating is the pile of medical bills that can stack up after an injury. If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation.

Recovering from injuries can be trying and stressful in the best of times. Coping with the untimely death of a loved one who was hurt while boating can be much more difficult, even devastating. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in this way, you need a legal advocate. Partnering with an experienced law firm is the easiest way to navigate through a lawsuit. You and your loved ones should be able to focus on getting your lives back on track after your accident, and not be consumed by worry about how to pay for medical bills. A strong law firm will understand how to recover the maximum damages for your accident. If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to someone’s negligence while boating, pursuing compensation is your right.

Why Should I Choose Gold Law Firm?

At Gold Law Firm we have over two decades of trial experience under our belts. We are never afraid to go to trial on your behalf. Other firms will settle as soon as possible to save time and energy. But our firm is after more than a quick payday. We will put all of our resources together to aggressively pursue the compensation you are entitled to. Your insurance company is not interested in giving you the money you are due after an accident. They are looking to make as much money as possible. We will advocate on your behalf to seek justice.

Working with our team will allow you to have peace of mind, knowing that your case is being handled properly. We have decades of experience and have recovered thousands of dollars for our clients. We believe strongly in seeking justice for our clients when no one else will. We are committed to enabling you to focus on putting your life back on track. You and your loved ones have suffered enough. We are here to help. To schedule a free initial consultation, call us today at (901) 244-5003.

What Types of Compensation Are Available?

If someone else’s negligence caused your boating accident, compensation is your legal right. You should not be required to bear the financial responsibility for someone else’s irresponsible actions. Depending on the specifics of your case, compensation may be available in various ways.

Types of compensation available include:

• Medical costs
• Lost wages
• Emotional pain and suffering
• Rehabilitation costs
• Long-term medical costs

If you have lost a loved one during a boating accident, no financial compensation will ever be enough to cover your pain and suffering. The loss of a loved one is incredibly traumatic, and you should be able to focus on regaining a normal life. Unnecessary financial burden should not be a consequence you have to suffer due to the loss of a loved one.

While it can never make up for your loss, compensation is available for wrongful death in a boating accident, including payment for the following:

• Loss of wages
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of a caretaker
• Medical bills prior to death
• Reasonable funeral and burial expenses

To discuss the details of your case and potential compensation, call us today at (901) 244-5003. We will do everything in our power to obtain justice and compensation on behalf or you or a lost loved one.

Common Causes of Boating and Jet Skiing Accidents

According to 2017 statistics compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard, alcohol was the leading contributing factor nationwide in fatal boating accidents and among the top five in reported accidents overall.

Other causes include:

• Operator inexperience or inattention
• Operating a watercraft at unsafe speeds
• Unsafe operation of other vehicles in the area
• Operating in dangerous weather or water conditions
• Poor operational instruction by the rental company
• Machinery failure.

Additionally, 81 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction. Only 14 percent of deaths occurred with operators who held a nationally approved boating-safety-education certificate.

Drowning is the leading cause of death in boating accidents, making up 76%. More than 80% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket, even though the law requires life jackets to be on board for every occupant.

Common Injuries in Boating Accidents

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating or jet skiing accident, you should seek medical attention right away. Unfortunately, boating accidents are not a rare occurrence. These accidents can cause enormous property damage and devastating injuries. According to the U.S Coast Guard, in 2017 alone, there were 4,291 accidents, 2,629 injuries, and 658 deaths as a result of recreational boating accidents.

The types of injuries caused by boating and jet skiing accidents include:

• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Concussions
• Burns
• Cuts
• Dislocations
• Hypothermia
• Internal organ injury
• Scrapes/bruises
• Strains/sprains

If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a similar way, you may be entitled to compensation. Speaking with an attorney will allow you to make an informed decision on the best legal action to take after being involved in a boating accident.

Frequently Asked Questions About Boating Accidents 

Our firm is deeply committed to advocating for our clients. Here are answers to some questions we hear commonly at our firm:

How much time do I have to file a lawsuit?

In Tennessee, you have up to one year after your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. You can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased for up to one year after their death.

How does liability work for boating accidents?

A boating accident claim will be based upon the concept of negligence. A boater is negligent if they fail to uphold reasonable and commonsense safety precautions. To make a legal claim based on negligence, you must be able to prove four things: duty, breach, causation, and injury. In other words, it must be proven that the defendant was responsible for acting with caution, they failed to do so, and they caused an accident that resulted in an injury or death. All of these elements must be proven to sue on the grounds of negligence. That is why it’s essential to have strong legal representation.

What if I am partially responsible for the accident?

The state of Tennessee follows a rule known as ‘modified comparative negligence.’ What this means is that if you are partially to blame for your accident, you may still be able to collect damages. If blame is shared between both parties in a lawsuit, a court will assign blame as a percentage. If the court finds that you were 30% responsible for your accident, you can then collect up to 70% of the potential damages from the lawsuit. In Tennessee, if you are found to be 51% or more responsible, you cannot seek damages.

Can anyone drive a boat?

In Tennessee, some boats can be legally operated by people as young as 12 years old. However, minors must be accompanied by someone over the age of 18 who is ready and able to take over the controls at any time. Additionally, anyone born after January 1, 1989, must have a Tennessee Boater Education Certificate. Failing to have adequate adult supervision on board and failing to obtain necessary certification are considered negligent acts.

Talk to a Tennessee Boating Accident Lawyer Today

Suffering through the pain and distress of an unexpected and traumatic boating injury can be extremely difficult. Your grief may be intensified by the fact that someone else’s irresponsibility caused the accident. If you or a loved one has been injured in this way, you should not be held financially responsible. Our dedicated team at Gold Law Firm will vigorously pursue the compensation you deserve. We will not take the easy road and settle if you have not received a fair offer. Our team of seasoned attorneys will put all of our resources toward bringing you justice. To schedule a free initial consultation, call us today at (901) 244-5003.