Port Richey Boat Accident Attorney
Boating is a popular activity in Port Richey, with many residents owning boats. Visitors can also rent boats to enjoy a day out on the water with friends and family. When an accident occurs, injured victims face serious challenges, including obtaining medical care when they are far from shore. At our law firm, we help boat accident victims with their legal needs. Wendy Doyle-Palumbo is a seasoned personal injury attorney. She can meet to discuss the accident, your injuries, and your concerns. Call to speak with our Port Richey boat accident lawyer.
What Caused Your Boat Accident?
Whether you can seek compensation will depend on who is liable for your accident. Here are some common reasons boats capsize or crash.
- Operator Inattention. The person operating the boat could be distracted by a cell phone or GPS device. They might even be focused on talking to the guests on the vessel. Any divided attention can lead to a boat accident as operators fail to see other vessels or wake waves which they should avoid. Boat operators must be focused on navigating the vessel like the driver of a car.
- Intoxication or Drug Use. The effects of alcohol are compounded by the weather. The bright sun beating down on a person’s head can make them dizzy even without alcohol. Combine a few beers, and a boat operator can crash.
- Reckless Operation. Boat operators must act with reasonable care in how they navigate their watercraft. They should pay adequate attention and not take dangerous or reckless actions. Unfortunately, too many people behind the wheel of a boat will travel too fast or try to pass another craft too closely.
- Operator Inexperience. Some boating accidents stem from operators lacking the experience to navigate the craft. They might misjudge distance or speed and crash into a wake wave or run aground. Operator error is a leading cause of boat collisions.
- Mechanical Failures. A boat accident might be caused by mechanical failures on the boat. Faulty wiring could start a fire, which then forces people to jump overboard or suffer burn injuries. Other mechanical issues make the vessel hard to manage, leading to a collision or running aground.
Do you have questions? Call our office. We can begin the work of identifying the cause of an accident. We might inspect the vessel or talk with witnesses to find out why you were injured. Please share your own memories, but supporting evidence is best when trying to bring the strongest claim possible.
Discuss Your Boat Accident with Our Legal Team
Many boating accidents cause brain injuries, whiplash, fractures, and back injuries. Hundreds of people drown each year in Florida in watercraft accidents. Their family members might also have a legal right to bring a wrongful death claim. Reach out to our firm if you or a loved one was involved in a crash while out on the water. Our New Port Richey boat accident lawyer can discuss your legal rights in more detail during a private consultation.