San Diego, California Boating Accident Lawyers
The San Diego, California boating accident lawyers at Jeffrey Estes Injury Lawyers work with individuals who have been seriously injured in boating accidents. San Diego’s waterways are excellent places where people can enjoy recreation opportunities. Unfortunately, when people drink and boat, or when boaters fail to receive proper boating training, or fail to follow maritime rules, accidents can happen. If you or someone you love was hurt in a boating accident in San Diego, or in the waterways near San Diego, the boating accident lawyers at Jeffrey Estes Injury Lawyers may be able to assist you with seeking damages and compensation for your injuries.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a boating accident due to another boater’s negligence, you and your family may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Victims may also be entitled to make an insurance claim. However, when seeking a settlement from negligent parties or insurance adjusters, it helps to know what your claim is worth and what your rights are. The boating accident lawyer San Diego, California at Jeffrey Estes Injury Lawyers may be able to help you. Our attorneys work with victims and families to help them seek compensation for their losses following boating accidents in San Diego, California.
California has numerous lakes, rivers and the longest stretch of the Pacific coast in the country. However, with the opportunity for recreational boating and other activities comes the increased risk for accidents and injury. Fast-moving boats and jet skis can cause serious injuries and accidents by capsizing, sinking or colliding with another watercraft or a water skier.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, in 2015, there were 4,158 boating accidents, resulting in 626 deaths and over 2000 injuries. The vast majority of boating victims drown and 71% of boating accident deaths occur in conjunction with a boating operator who did not receive boating safety instruction. Boating accidents occur for many reasons, but the main causes of these accidents are distracted boating, inexperience, machinery failure, and excessive speed. Like car accidents, drinking and operating a boat can also result in serious injuries or deaths. Boating accidents can involve a boat sinking or capsizing, can involve a crash with another boat, a fire onboard the vessel, or a person overboard. Some of these accidents can occur if two boats collide and sometimes these accidents can occur if maintenance wasn’t performed properly.
If you have been hurt in a boating accident in San Diego, you may only have a limited amount of time to seek damages for your injuries and losses. The boating accident lawyers in San Diego, California at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates work with boating accident victims to help them get the compensation they may deserve under the law. We can investigate the causes of your boating accident, identify negligent parties, and navigate complex maritime and state laws to help you receive the compensation you may deserve. Reach out to our boating accident attorneys today.
Steps to Take After a Boating Accident in San Diego, California
If you’ve been hurt in a boating accident, you may have a range of questions and may be facing many new challenges. The minutes and hours after a boating accident are incredibly crucial for safety and to protect your rights. If you’ve been in a boating accident, what steps can you take? Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Report the accident to police or local coast guard. Having an official report of what took place can be important if you need to make a claim later with insurance or negligent parties.
- Seek medical attention and help others get medical help. If you or someone has been hurt, getting to safety and seeking medical attention should be your top priority.
- Report the accident to insurance. Insurance companies may require that you report the accident as soon as possible.
- Contact a boating accident lawyer in San Diego, California. If you have questions about your rights, have questions about an insurance claim, or aren’t sure what your claim is worth, you may want to speak to a boating accident attorney in San Diego, California. A boating accident lawyer can review your case, estimate the value of your claim, help you navigate complex maritime laws and other local laws, and assist you with negotiating with insurance companies and negligent parties.
The aftermath of a serious boating accident can be devastating for everyone involved, but you aren’t alone. Reach out to the San Diego, California boating accident lawyers at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates today. We may be able to help. Personal injury firm, Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates, APC, represents plaintiffs in San Diego, Orange County, Riverside county, San Bernardino County, Imperial County, and all of Southern California in pursuing full recovery for damages resulting from boating accidents and injuries caused by the negligence of others.
Boating Accidents and Maritime Law in San Diego, California
Boating accidents are unique because boaters may be subject to maritime law. Having a lawyer who is familiar with this type of law can have a major impact on the outcome of your case. Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates are qualified boating accident lawyers in San Diego, California who can fight for your rights and help you seek the maximum recovery under the law. If you or a loved one has been injured on the water, call toll free 855-290-8080 for legal help.
Where your boating accident took place may have an impact on how you may need to go about pursuing a boating accident claim. For example, if your boating accident happened in the ocean or in interstate navigable waters, you may need to take your case to federal court where it will be heard by a judge. Yet, if your boating accident happened in a lake or other enclosed body of water in California, state law may apply. While many boating accident claims can be settled outside of court, the boating accident lawyers in San Diego, California at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates are not afraid to take a case to court. If you have been hurt in a boating accident, you may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim and take your case to court. Reach out to the boating accident attorneys in San Diego at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates today.
Holding Negligent Parties Accountable in Boating Accidents in San Diego, California
Generally, the legal issues associated with boating accidents and injuries are similar to other personal injury claims issues. Questions of negligence and causation determine what if any damages may be recovered by the injured. However, there are other factors that must also be considered. Maritime laws and boating laws are different than the laws of the road. For instance, in San Diego, boaters must respect speed limits when operating boats near swimmers or surfers. Boaters who are operating their boats near coastlines are also required to respect speed limits. Just as in driving, speeding in a boat kills. Boaters may not see swimmers or surfers, resulting in serious propeller accidents.
The age limit to operate a boat also differs from driving. According to the City of San Diego, no person under 12 years of age is permitted to operate a boat. Children between the ages of 16 and 18 must also be accompanied by an adult when operating a boat.
Boats must have proper safety equipment, including floatation devices, safety vests, distress signals, fire extinguishers, and other safety gear. Not having this equipment can result in issues should boaters be involved in accidents. Additionally, boaters must have registration cards and numbers. While many boaters receive proper training in boat operation, a surprising number of people don’t take courses to improve their safety in the water. This can create a situation where boaters are complacent or make mistakes because they simply are not well-versed in safety.
As with other motor vehicle accidents, the driver or operator is not always to blame for the accident. The cause of the injuries may be traced back to faulty boat machinery and equipment, or can be traced back to improper boat maintenance. In such a case, the boat manufacturer, or other third parties, may be held responsible for compensation.
The boating accident attorneys in San Diego, California at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates can review the details of your accident to determine its causes and to identify negligent parties. Our firm works closely with victims and their families to help them seek the compensation they may deserve. Reach out to Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates today to learn more.
The boat accident attorneys at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates, APC, represent plaintiffs with cases related to the following:
- Recreational boating accidents
- Boat collisions
- Jet skiing accidents
- Water skiing accidents
- Scuba diving accidents
- Maritime accidents
- Equipment failure
- Boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol (BUI)
- Dangerous or reckless vehicle operation
- Drowning/wrongful death
Whether your claim is large or small, personal injury attorneys Estes and Smith will do whatever it takes to investigate the facts of your case to see whether you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. Clients are only charged if their case is awarded a settlement or verdict, so there are no initial costs involved in pursuing a personal injury claim. Contact the San Diego, California boating accident attorneys at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates today for a free initial consultation.
Call for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been involved in a boat injury or other maritime accident, contact an experienced boating accidents lawyer right away. Boating accident victims may face a range of challenges. You may be suffering from serious injuries, be facing a long recovery period, or may be struggling to make ends meet after an accident. The law offers important protections to individuals who have been hurt due to the negligence of another person or party. You may be entitled to receive compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates are boating accident lawyers in San Diego, California who fight for the rights of injured individuals. We can help you seek the justice you may deserve under the law. Call our offices, or complete a contact form online to schedule a free consultation. We bill on a contingency basis, which means that you are only billed for our services if we are successful in winning you a recovery.
