A boating accident can have devastating effects on a person’s life. Injuries sustained from a boating accident can be severe, resulting in significant pain, medical bills, and lost wages. Fortunately, if you were injured in a boating accident in Alabama, you have legal rights to compensation for your injuries. In this article, we’ll discuss the potential legal options available to you after a boating accident in Alabama.
Table of Contents
Understanding Boating Accidents in Alabama
Alabama’s lakes, rivers, and coastlines are popular for water enthusiasts, which means increased likelihood of boating accidents. Boating accidents can occur due to various reasons, including intoxicated boating, excessive speed, failure to follow boating rules and regulations, equipment failure, and more.
Alabama state law defines boating accidents as "an occurrence associated with the operation of a vessel" that results in certain types of damage, including physical injury or death, property damage, and more. In Alabama, boaters must report any accidents that result in injury, death, or more than $2,000 worth of damage within 48 hours of the incident.
Legal Options for Boating Accident Victims in Alabama
If you are injured in a boating accident in Alabama, you have legal options to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Here are some of the potential legal options available to you:
Personal Injury Lawsuit
A personal injury lawsuit is an option for those who have been injured in a boating accident resulting from someone else’s negligence or recklessness. Negligence on the person’s part who was driving the boat can include excessive speed, alcohol or drugs affecting judgement, careless navigation, or not following boating rules.
To succeed in a personal injury lawsuit, a victim needs to prove the defendant owed a duty of care to the victim, breached that duty, and the breach caused injuries. Working with an experienced Alabama personal injury attorney can be invaluable in determining whether a personal injury lawsuit is the right course of action.
Admiralty and Maritime Law
In cases where a boating accident occurs on navigable waters, you may need help from attorneys with knowledge of admiralty and maritime law. Typically, these legal cases take place in federal court, and your experienced attorney can help navigate the complex legal process.
Insurance Claim
In many scenarios, insurance may be the quickest route to receiving compensation. To maximize the chances of such a claim’s success, contact an attorney experienced in handling insurance claims with boating accidents. Even with comprehensive coverage, insurance companies may try to protect their interests by offering less compensation than you may deserve.
Damages Recoverable After a Boating Accident in Alabama
The types of damages that can be recovered after a boating accident in Alabama include:
Medical Expenses
If you were injured in a boating accident, you may be eligible to recover the costs of medical bills incurred. This can include expenses related to emergency room treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, medication, and ongoing treatment.
Lost Wages
Injuries sustained from a boating accident may result in missed work or an inability to return to work at all. Injured victims in Alabama can seek compensation for lost wages if their injuries prevented them from working.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering refers to physical discomfort, emotional distress, and a lower quality of life caused by your injuries and accident. By consulting with an experienced attorney, injured victims can pursue compensation for pain and suffering from their boating accidents.
Property Damage
If property damage was incurred during a boating accident, Alabama law allows you to seek compensation for the damage of personal property.
Conclusion
Being in a boating accident can be a traumatic experience, which is why victims should understand their legal options and rights. An experienced Alabama boating injury attorney can assist you in determining the best course of legal action to receive compensation for your losses. Recovering from a boating accident can be challenging, but compensation obtained from a successful legal claim can provide peace of mind in such difficult times.