Miami Lawyer for Boat Accidents Caused by Rocks + Pier Crashes
You would think that an experienced boat captain would be able to avoid hitting stationary objects like rocks or piers, but many boat accidents each year in the Miami area are caused by this exact type of accident. Whether the accident was caused by a captain or pilot who was not paying proper attention, who lacked the experience to safely navigate their vessel, or who was intoxicated, you might be entitled to compensation for any injuries you sustained in the crash.
For help with your boat accident case, call Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. today. Our Miami boat accident lawyers caused by rocks and pier crashes might be able to take your case and fight to get you compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages related to your boat accident. For your free legal consultation, call us at (866) 386-1762.
Holding Ships and Captains Responsible for Rock and Pier Crashes Under Florida Law
When a boat is piloted safely, the crew should be in control of the vessel. This means that, since boats have no breaks, the pilot will properly estimate their speed and avoid coming in too fast when docking or cruising near rocks or shallow waters. If they fail to do so, they could end up running aground or crashing into piers or docks.
In many cases, the individual who was actually driving the boat can be held directly responsible for any injuries sustained in one of these accidents. This means you can hold them liable in court for mistakes at the helm or other issues involving negligence in navigation or control of the ship that led to the crash. Just like in a car accident lawsuit, the driver can be held liable for the crash.
If the ship was run by some higher-up, such as the captain, a tour boat company, or a cruise line, you can also hold that entity liable for the crash in most cases. This will usually mean suing that entity in their role as the employer of the individual responsible for the crash. This is often allowed under Florida law as long as the individual was engaged within the scope of their duties when the crash occurred.
The captain or company can also be held liable for their own mistakes in allowing the crash to occur. If the ship crashed because it had preexisting damage that was never repaired or a problem with systems aboard the ship, these could be contributing factors in the crash that these entities can be held responsible for. Additionally, if they hired a negligent crewmember that they should have known was dangerous, they could be held partly liable for negligent hiring or retention.
Injuries for Ship Crashes Caused by Rocks, Piers, and Docks in Florida
The injuries you suffered in a boat accident involving a crash into a pier, rocks, or a dock could be different depending on what type of vessel you were on at the time. If you were on a small boat, the crash could have been very severe, potentially sinking the boat and causing serious trauma to the passengers. These injuries could include traumatic brain injuries, back injuries, broken bones, cuts, scrapes, and other injuries.
If the crash involved a large ship or a cruise ship, the injuries might be less severe. In many cases, large ships absorb much of the shock of an accident. Still, passengers could suffer a surprise shock and fall to the floor or hit their head on a bulkhead during a crash. In many cases, these injuries still involve serious head injuries, back injuries, and broken bones sustained in the fall.
Seeking Damages After Your Ship Crashed into Rocks or a Pier in Florida
If your boating accident occurred in Florida waters, you can usually file a claim in Florida for the damages you suffered. This claim will be filed against the responsible parties and their employers, and the damages you can claim will usually include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by the crash.
Damages for medical bills can be claimed to cover the cost of any emergency transportation, emergency treatment, follow-up visits with your doctor, and ongoing rehabilitation or physical therapy costs. The damages for lost wages can be used to cover any wages you missed because of the injury, including wages from time off work while you recovered from the initial trauma and ongoing lost earning capacity damages if you cannot return to work in your full capacity.
Damages for pain and suffering are separate from the damages for medical bills and are used to compensate you directly for the experience. Serious injuries often bring intense pain, which can leave a victim with emotional distress and mental anguish as well. These damages can be paid in a lawsuit, as can damages for reduced enjoyment of life and lost enjoyment in activities you used to be involved in.
In addition to these damages, your spouse and family might be entitled to compensation for lost spousal benefits, lost help with the household, and other harms.
Putting a monetary value on some of these damages is difficult, and it is important to work with an attorney who represents you to help determine what your case is worth rather than relying on any values given to you by insurance companies or cruise lines.
Call Our Pier Crash and Rock Accident Lawyers for Boating and Shipboard Injuries
If you were involved in a boat accident where the vessel struck rocks, ran aground, or crashed into a stationary object like a boat or a pier, you might be entitled to substantial financial compensation. Call Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. to discuss setting up a free legal consultation where you can learn more about your potential case and what your injuries might be worth. For your free case consultation, call us today at (866) 386-1762.
