Naples Boat Accident Lawyer
Naples is a recreational boater’s paradise. There are relatively few regulations governing who can operate a boat and there are plenty of places to take your boat out for a day on the water.
Unfortunately, many people are injured because of other boaters’ negligent actions. Careless boaters can be held liable for accidents they caused. However, the process for pursuing monetary damages can be complex. The assistance of a boat accident lawyer can be highly valuable when fighting for fair compensation.
If you were injured because of a boat accident in Naples, get help recovering the payment available to you. Reach out to our experienced Naples boat accident lawyers by calling Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369 to review your case for free.
Elements of a Naples Boat Accident Lawsuit
Boat accident victims can bring lawsuits against the parties who caused their accidents. However, in order for any boat accident lawsuit to prevail, the following elements must be established:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant did not adhere to that duty of care
- You were injured because of the defendant’s breach of their duty
- You sustained damages as a result of your injuries
Analyzing these elements within the context of your case can be difficult without the assistance of our experienced Naples boat accident lawyers. During your free case review, our attorneys can help determine if the aforementioned elements are present.
Common Causes of Boat Accidents in Naples
Many boaters in Naples lack the proper training and experience to operate their boats. Accordingly, there are many different forms of negligent conduct that lead to boat accidents. Collisions are particularly common in places where boaters must operate in tight quarters, like docks and marinas. However, serious accidents can still occur on the open water. Our experienced Naples boat accident lawyers can determine if your accident occurred because of one of the following causes:
Drunk Boating
Drunk boating is a very common cause of boat accidents in Naples. Drunk boaters will have difficulty handling their boats and reacting to various hazards appropriately. Unfortunately, many boaters in Naples still choose to operate their boats while under the influence of alcohol. Drunk boating accidents are particularly common on holidays, when the waters are packed with renters and other inexperienced operators. Such accidents can cause a wide range of devastating and sometimes fatal injuries.
Speeding
Speeding is another common cause of boating accidents. Boats become difficult to handle at high speeds. Speeding boaters are more likely to cause collisions with other boats and stationary objects like docks and bridges. Fortunately, speeding boaters can also be held liable for accidents they cause. If you were injured because of a speeding boater, you should contact our experienced Naples boat accident lawyers for help determining the appropriate next steps.
Faulty Repairs
Anyone who has owned a boat knows that they require routine maintenance. When parts are not repaired properly, severe accidents can occur. For example, a devastating collision might occur because of a defective repair performed on a vessel’s throttle. Our team can investigate whether an accident occurred because of a faulty repair.
Defective Parts
Boat accidents can also be caused by defective parts. For instance, a crash may happen because a boater experienced unexpected battery failures. In that case, if it is determined that the battery failed because it was defective, then the victims may bring a claim against the defective part’s manufacturer.
Parts can be defective through their marketing, manufacturing, or design. However, proving that a part is defective can be a complicated task. Extensive amounts of evidence are typically necessary to support such a claim. Accordingly, the support of our Naples boat accident lawyers can be very helpful when seeking to hold a manufacturer responsible for a crash caused by a defective part.
Failure to Provide Proper Safety Gear
Additionally, many boat accident injuries occur because boaters were not provided with proper safety gear. For example, a victim may suffer a drowning accident because a boat rental company did not provide their customers with enough life jackets. If you suffered a boat accident injury because you were not provided with appropriate safety gear, you may be entitled to multiple forms of monetary damages.
Distracted Boating
Distracted boating is also a cause of many boat accidents in Naples. Boaters become distracted when they take their eyes off the water, hands off the wheel, or attention of the task of driving. The following are examples of activities that often distract boaters in Naples:
- Looking at a navigation system
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Talking with other passengers
- Choosing music for their stereo
- Eating or drinking
Collisions caused by distracted boaters can be catastrophic. Our attorneys can help victims of such accidents build their cases.
Other Forms of Negligence
There are many other forms of negligent behavior committed by at-fault boaters. For instance, passengers may suffer injuries because a boater hit another boat’s wake at excessive speeds. Further, passengers may suffer boat accident injuries because the vessel they were on was too crowded or weighed down. In any case, our experienced Naples boat accident lawyers can help injured parties determine the appropriate path to compensation.
Common Types of Boat Accidents that Occur in Naples
There are many different types of boating accidents that can occur. The following are common types of accidents that happen in Naples:
- Accidents at marinas and docks
- Collisions with stationary objects like bridges, piers, and reefs
- Overboard accidents
- Prop-strike accidents
- Jet ski accidents
- Capsizing
The process for recovering compensation in a boat accident lawsuit may differ depending on the type of accident that occurred. However, no matter the type of accident, our Naples boat accident lawyers can provide victims with guidance and support.
If You Suffered a Boat Accident in Naples, Our Attorneys Can Help
If you were hurt because of a boat accident, seek assistance from our experienced Naples boat accident lawyers by calling Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369 for a free review of your case.
