How Does Personal Injury Work in a New Jersey Boating Accident?
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New Jersey is a hotbed of activity for those who love to play in the water. Boating, water skiing, surfing, parasailing. You name it, and you can probably do it in our great state.
But that means sometimes people get injured in boating accidents, and sometimes those accidents are caused by one or more negligent parties. Boating accidents can lead to personal injury cases, too.
As with any personal injury case, you’ll have to prove that the other party was negligent. Often, this will be due to a violation of New Jersey boating laws. For example, was the boat using its lights properly? Was the driver of the boat that caused the accident operating under the influence of liquor, narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs, or habit-producing drugs? We also look at whether the boat was seaworthy and properly equipped. The operator may also be liable if they weren’t properly licensed and trained in the use of their boat.
Another way we might help prove fault was if the driver of the boat was operating in a “reckless or careless” manner, which is defined as operating the vessel in “any manner which unnecessarily interferes with the free and proper use of any waters, or unnecessarily endangering other craft therein or the life or limb of any person upon any craft in the water, including, but not limited to, exceeding manufacturer capacity plate specifications.”
Boaters are not required to carry liability insurance the way that drivers are. This can make recovery difficult, but not impossible. Almost anyone who owns a boat will have at least some personal assets that can be used to pay your personal injury claim.
Note that more than one party can be at-fault for a boating accident. For example, if a defective boat part caused the problem then we can go after the manufacturer of that boat to get your injuries paid for. It is your attorney’s responsibility to locate every potentially liable party and to hold them accountable.
If you are in a boat accident, take the following steps.
- Notify the police. You can call them for boat accidents just like you can for car accidents.
- Collect contact information for everyone involved in the boating accident.
- Take pictures if possible.
- As soon as you can, stop and document the details of the event while they’re still fresh in your mind.
- Seek medical attention, and follow all medical instructions.
Contact our office as quickly as you can. The sooner you involve us in you boating accident case the stronger your case is likely to be.
We also help out family members who lose loved ones to boating accidents. If your loved one was killed in a boating accident, contact our office to begin your wrongful death case. While we can’t replace your loved one we can help you recover from financial losses associated with their death.
See also:
4 Myths About New Jersey Personal Injury Cases
4 Reasons a Judge Might Dismiss Your NJ Personal Injury Case
How Does a Personal Injury Attorney Respond to a Low Settlement Offer?
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New Jersey is a hotbed of activity for those who love to play in the water. Boating, water skiing, surfing, parasailing. You name it, and you can probably do it in our great state.
But that means sometimes people get injured in boating accidents, and sometimes those accidents are caused by one or more negligent parties. Boating accidents can lead to personal injury cases, too.
As with any personal injury case, you’ll have to prove that the other party was negligent. Often, this will be due to a violation of New Jersey boating laws. For example, was the boat using its lights properly? Was the driver of the boat that caused the accident operating under the influence of liquor, narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs, or habit-producing drugs? We also look at whether the boat was seaworthy and properly equipped. The operator may also be liable if they weren’t properly licensed and trained in the use of their boat.
Another way we might help prove fault was if the driver of the boat was operating in a “reckless or careless” manner, which is defined as operating the vessel in “any manner which unnecessarily interferes with the free and proper use of any waters, or unnecessarily endangering other craft therein or the life or limb of any person upon any craft in the water, including, but not limited to, exceeding manufacturer capacity plate specifications.”
Boaters are not required to carry liability insurance the way that drivers are. This can make recovery difficult, but not impossible. Almost anyone who owns a boat will have at least some personal assets that can be used to pay your personal injury claim.
Note that more than one party can be at-fault for a boating accident. For example, if a defective boat part caused the problem then we can go after the manufacturer of that boat to get your injuries paid for. It is your attorney’s responsibility to locate every potentially liable party and to hold them accountable.
If you are in a boat accident, take the following steps.
- Notify the police. You can call them for boat accidents just like you can for car accidents.
- Collect contact information for everyone involved in the boating accident.
- Take pictures if possible.
- As soon as you can, stop and document the details of the event while they’re still fresh in your mind.
- Seek medical attention, and follow all medical instructions.
Contact our office as quickly as you can. The sooner you involve us in you boating accident case the stronger your case is likely to be.
We also help out family members who lose loved ones to boating accidents. If your loved one was killed in a boating accident, contact our office to begin your wrongful death case. While we can’t replace your loved one we can help you recover from financial losses associated with their death.
See also:
4 Myths About New Jersey Personal Injury Cases
4 Reasons a Judge Might Dismiss Your NJ Personal Injury Case
How Does a Personal Injury Attorney Respond to a Low Settlement Offer?