Boating is a pastime enjoyed by millions of Californians throughout the year. It’s an unfortunate reality, however, that hundreds of people are injured or killed every year in California due to boat accidents. What’s more, the overwhelming majority of these accidents are preventable. 

Just like we have rules of the road for those who drive cars, we also have rules of the water that must be followed to keep boating fun and safe. When these rules are not followed, injuries to boat operators, passengers, surfers, skiers, and swimmers can happen.

The leading causes of boat accidents in California are: 

• Collisions with other boats;
• Poor driving by the operator; 
• Slip and falls;
• Alcohol;
• Poor maintenance;
• Operator inattention; 
• Operator inexperience; and 
• Speeding 

Filing A Boat Accident Claim in California

If you have been injured in a boat accident in California due to another person’s negligence or faulty equipment, you may be entitled to be financially compensated for your injuries. Filing a boat accident claim will allow you to recover compensation for damages, such as:

• Past and future medical bills; 
• Past and future lost income;
• Lost or damaged personal property; and 
• Pain and suffering 

But, to be successful in a California boat accident claim, you will need an attorney, like those at eAccidents, who knows the ins and outs of California boat accident litigation, and who can help you obtain the recovery that you need and deserve. 

Who Can You Sue For Your California Boat Accident Injuries? 

Many boat owners carry liability insurance to cover injuries that are sustained on their boats or that they cause while operating their vessels. If you are injured because the boat hit another object, such as a dock, pier, or another boat, there is a good chance that the boat owner’s insurance company will cover their liability or negligence.

If the accident wasn’t the boat owner’s fault, perhaps because the boat was hit by another boat, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the other boat operator to recover your losses. Either way, you must understand who you are suing and why they are responsible for your injuries after a boat accident.

Before proceeding with legal action, you should go over the facts of your California boat accident case with an experienced California boat accident attorney to determine who might be held responsible for your injuries. The following questions can serve as an excellent starting point for pinpointing who might be liable:

• Were the boat operators irresponsible in handling their vessel? 
• Were the operators boating under the influence?
• Was the accident caused by human error?
• Was the boat seaworthy and properly equipped with safety gear?
• Was the boat defective in some manner?
• Was the operator trained and licensed?

Any of these details can be invaluable for establishing with whom liability lies, whether that be the operator, the owner, the manufacturer, or even a public entity. 

How An Experienced California Boat Accident Attorney Can Help

An experienced boat accident attorney can assist you with obtaining the answers to the questions above, as well as, with acquiring the evidence needed to support your California boat accident claim. What’s more, an experienced boat accident attorney can help you identify the various sources of compensation available to you. 

Sometimes the boat owner’s home insurance policy will include coverage for boat accident liability. However, homeowners insurance policies are not required to include coverage for liability for personal injuries, which can affect whether a homeowners policy or boat liability insurance policy will provide coverage for a boat accident injury. 

The knowledgeable and experienced California boat accident lawyers at eAccidents can help you figure out what insurance the boat owner holds that might apply to your case. 

Consult With an Experienced California Boat Accident Attorney

If you would like to receive more information about compensation for injuries sustained in a boat accident in California, consult with the experienced California boat accident attorneys at eAccidents. Our boat accident attorneys offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

What’s more, we handle boat accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will only be required to pay us if and when we obtain a recovery for you. 

If you or a loved one was injured in a boat accident in California, contact eAccidents today at 844-400-0123 for a free case evaluation. We will discuss all of your options, answer your questions, and help you develop the best course of action for your California boat accident case.