West Palm Beach Boating Accident Lawyer

Boating enthusiasts flock to West Palm Beach for excellent conditions and keep returning for more. With all this water traffic, boating accidents happen, and the physical, financial, and emotional consequences can be disastrous. If another person’s negligence injures you in a boating accident, an experienced boating accident lawyer in West Palm Beach can help you.

Common Losses 

Victims of boating accidents can suffer immense losses in each of the following categories:

• Property damage to their vessels and the contents therein
• Medical costs that may be ongoing
• Lost wages that may include a derailed career and losses related to earning potential
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering that can eclipse the other categories of loss combined

Working closely with a trusted boating accident attorney helps ensure that every category of loss experienced is well represented. In some cases, an experienced lawyer might also seek punitive damages as part of a boat accident lawsuit. If a defendant engaged in intentional or grossly negligent conduct to cause the crash, the courts might order them to pay additional compensation as punishment.

Liability and Punitive Damages in Boating Accidents

Determining liability in boating accident cases is crucial for pursuing fair compensation. Negligence by boat operators, inadequate vessel maintenance, or defective equipment can all contribute to accidents. Beyond compensatory damages, punitive damages may be awarded in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Operating a vessel under the influence or intentionally ignoring safety regulations are examples of negligence. The monetary damages serve to punish the offender and deter similar actions. A skilled boating accident attorney at Right To Justice can help establish liability and advocate for maximum compensation, including punitive damages.

Risk of Injury in Boating Accidents 

Victims of boating accidents – whether they are behind the wheel or are passengers on the vessel – are vulnerable to very serious injuries for all the following reasons:

• Because boating accidents take place on the water, drowning is a very real possibility.
• Poorly maintained boats are at greater risk of being in accidents, and passengers on these vessels may not be aware of their condition.
• Boats don’t have as many safety mechanisms in place as the vehicles we drive do, including seats, seat belts, and airbags for every passenger – all of which are intended to minimize the impact of accidents.
• A boat that doesn’t have the required safety gear for the number of occupants aboard leaves passengers vulnerable to more serious injuries.
• While the roads we travel over are highly regulated and patrolled, our waterways are not, so boating is a riskier pursuit.
• Passengers on boats must trust their safety to the person at the helm; when this trust is misplaced, the results can be deadly.

Negligence Behind the Wheel of a Boat 

Boating accidents are often the result of the other driver’s fault, and this negligence on the water can take any of the forms that motorists on our roadways commonly display, including:

• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Drowsy driving
• Distracted driving
• Aggressive driving
• Falling to follow the rules of the waterway

Skilled boating accident lawyers have the knowledge and legal finesse to prove the other party’s negligence in pursuing fair settlements for their valued clients. 

Never Wait to Consult an Experienced Boating Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach

In 2023, Florida lawmakers greatly reformed our state’s tort laws, including shortening the personal injury statute of limitations. You only have two years from your injury to file a lawsuit, so taking swift action is necessary.

Maaz Quraishi is a formidable West Palm Beach boating accident lawyer at Right To Justice who appreciates the opportunity to skillfully guide your claim toward a settlement that covers your complete losses and supports your brightest future. Our legal team is on your side and well-prepared to help, so please reach out and contact us online or call 561-242-4800 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you today.