Fort Myers Boat Accident Lawyer
Fort Myers is a wonderful place to enjoy a wide range of boating activities. For instance, a great number of people take to the water each day to engage in activities like fishing, diving, sightseeing, and various watersports. Unfortunately, when people act carelessly in the operation of their vessels, harmful crashes can happen.
At-fault parties can be sued for boating accidents they cause. There are multiple forms of negligence that can lead to such accidents. Our attorneys can help investigate the cause of your collision and prove that the defendant is at fault.
If you suffered a boating accident in Fort Myers, get help obtaining the financial compensation you deserve. Get in touch with our Fort Myers boat accident lawyers by calling Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369. Our experienced attorneys can review your case for free.
Common Causes of Boating Accidents in Fort Myers
There are several types of negligent conduct that may lead to boating accidents. You can contact our Fort Myers boat accident lawyers for help determining if your collision stems from one of the following causes:
Speeding
Most vessels become more difficult to control when operated at high speeds. Accordingly, boaters travelling at excessive speeds will have difficulty avoiding crashes as they approach other watercraft and various stationary hazards. For instance, a speeding boater may not be able to react in time to avoid a collision with a dock. Fortunately, speeding boaters can be held accountable for injuries related to accidents they cause.
Faulty Repairs
Most boat owners are aware that their vessels require routine maintenance to maintain decent performance. However, when parts are not properly repaired, serious accidents can occur. For instance, a harmful crash may happen because a boat’s throttle was carelessly repaired. Our Fort Myers boat accident lawyers can help determine if your crash happened because of a faulty repair.
Drunk Boating
Drunk boating is a very common cause of boating accidents in Fort Myers. When drunk, boaters will exhibit blurry vision, poor motor skills, and reckless decision-making abilities. Accordingly, drunk boaters will have difficulty operating their vessels safely.
Still, many people take to the water while their senses are impaired by alcohol. Accidents caused by drunk boaters are particularly common over holidays, when many people are able to take off of work. There are several types of evidence that can be used to prove that drunk boaters are at fault for boating accidents. If you suffered a crash caused by a drunk boater, you should contact our attorneys for help building your case.
Distracted Boating
Distracted boating is another common cause of boating accidents. Boaters can become distracted when they take their eyes off the water, hands off the wheel, or attention away from the task of driving. Examples of activities that may distract boaters include the following:
- Texting
- Viewing a digital navigation system
- Chatting with other passengers
- Talking on a cellular phone
- Picking music for a stereo
- Drinking or eating
- Taking photos or videos for social media
Victims of accidents caused by distracted boaters can incur a wide range of painful and debilitating injuries. Our experienced Fort Myers boat accident lawyers can help hold distracted boaters accountable for collisions they cause.
Defective Parts
Furthermore, some boating accidents occur because of defective parts. For instance, an injurious crash may happen because a boat was equipped with a poorly manufactured drive shaft. In such cases, negligent manufacturers and sellers can be sued for boating accidents caused by their defective products.
However, proving that a product was defective can be a complicated task. Extensive amounts of evidence are usually required to show that a product was flawed. The assistance of our Fort Myers boat accident lawyers can be highly valuable when pursuing a claim against a defective product’s manufacturer.
Other Types of Negligent Behavior
There are many other types of negligent behavior that can lead to boating accidents. For instance, a passenger may be thrown overboard because the vessel they were on was overcrowded and weighed down. Furthermore, a careless driver may cause a devastating accident because they hit another vessel’s wake at unsafe speeds. In any case, our attorneys can help victims of boating accidents seek the monetary damages available to them.
Types of Damages Available in Fort Myers Boating Accident Lawsuits
There are multiple categories of monetary damages available to plaintiffs in boating accident lawsuits. The types of compensation awarded in your case will depend on several factors. During your free case assessment, our Fort Myers boat accident lawyers can help explain which of the following damages may be sought:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
In order to recover the aforementioned damages, you must prove that they are related to your boating accident injuries. You can reach out to our experienced attorneys for help fighting for the full range of compensation available in your case.
Settling a Boating Accident Lawsuit vs. Taking a Boating Accident Lawsuit to Trial in Fort Myers
In most boating accident cases, plaintiffs will have to choose between reaching settlement agreements or taking their lawsuits to trial. When parties to a case reach a settlement agreement, the defendant will pay an agreed-upon amount of payment to the plaintiff and their case will be dismissed. There are potential advantages to settling early. For instance, parties who settle early can save on the additional costs associated with taking a case to trial. Also, plaintiffs who reach settlement agreements may recover compensation sooner.
Still, settling early is not always the best decision. Defendants are usually represented by insurance companies who will attempt to settle cases quickly and cheaply. By taking your lawsuit to trial, you have the chance to obtain additional damages. Our Fort Myers boat accident lawyers can help evaluate any settlement offers made in your case, so that you may confidently decide if going to trial is right for you.
If You Were Injured Because of a Boating Accident in Fort Myers, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you suffered a boating accident, seek support from our experienced Fort Myers boat accident lawyers by calling Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369 to review your case for free.
