One of Massachusetts’s most interesting tourist attractions is the state’s wide variety of maritime museums. From Battleship Cove to the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, ships are an integral part of the state’s history and culture.
But if something goes wrong during a boating trip, the process of submitting and building a claim can be complicated and frustrating. Morgan & Morgan’s boating accident attorneys in Boston have years upon years of experience dealing with the complexities that come with these claims. In the process, we have helped clients successfully recover compensation all across the country for the losses that came with their accident.
That includes medical bills, lost wages, and the physical and emotional pain and suffering endured. The experience and resources we bring could help you receive the compensation you deserve. Were you or a loved one the injured in a boating accident? You may be entitled to more compensation than you realize. Fill out our free, no-obligation case evaluation form to learn more.
How Can a Boston Attorney Help?
The ins and outs of Massachusetts maritime laws can be tricky; the summary the government offers, while helpful, doesn’t even scratch the surface. You shouldn’t have to take all of this in yourself. With the expert knowledge of our attorneys at your service, we can examine the details of your case while you instead focus on recovering from your injury.
We perform a thorough investigation of your boating accident, to get an accurate sense of what occurred, and to establish that you were the victim of someone else’s negligence upon getting injured. There are many forms of negligence involved in boating accidents, wherein someone does not follow standard rules and laws of boating, or fails to act in a responsible way that others would in the same situation.
Evidence is collected, witnesses are interviewed, and the scene of the accident is photographed, all in an effort to prove negligence. All of these combined can be used by our attorneys to help paint a picture that proves that another party’s negligence or recklessness is what caused the accident, thus being responsible for your injury. In addition, our attorneys have the experience to handle whichever type of lawsuit you’re dealing with.
That is to say, whether dealing with Massachusetts law if the boat was close enough to shore or dealing with maritime law if the boat was further out, we have extensive experience in both. We can help negotiate in the event of a settlement offer, as well as capably take your case to trial.
Boating Accident Claims We Handle
There are a variety of ways a boating accident can occur, and we are well-equipped to handle the lot of them. The bulk of these cases are result because of someone else’s negligence. Examples of negligent acts by the operator of a boat that can cause injury are:
- Operating at too high a speed;
- Navigating particularly heavy waters;
- Colliding with other boats;
- Colliding with fixed objects;
- Overcrowding the boat;
- Speeding while hitting a large wave; and
- Failure to have safety equipment aboard the vessel.
In addition to these forms of negligence, there are also more extreme ways of endangering others on a boat, such as operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This behavior is incredibly reckless, and that party could not only be held liable but be required to pay more compensation.
Who is Liable in a Boating Accident Case?
The specifics of your injury and your accident will ultimately determine the party that can be held liable in your case. Sometimes this can be fairly simple - another boat owner crashing into your vessel would likely be held responsible if they were acting negligently.
Other factors that can go into determining the responsible party include the location of the accident, as well as the status of both the injured party and negligent party - employees/employers, guests/operators, etc.
Contact Morgan & Morgan Today
Don’t hesitate to contact a boating accident attorney if you have been injured by someone else’s negligence on a boat. Morgan & Morgan’s Boston lawyers may be able to help you recover compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. If you feel you have a case, fill out our case evaluation form at no cost.