People who boat in the area have a variety of ways to enjoy time on the water, whether it be sailing, fishing, or water-skiing. Unfortunately, a boater might ruin a relaxing day on the water if they acted in a negligent manner. Boating accidents cause extensive property damage, often result in severe injury, and are sometimes fatal.
If you were hurt in a crash on the water that resulted from another party’s carelessness, a qualified personal injury attorney could help. An Upper Marlboro boat accident lawyer could explain your legal rights and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Many scenarios could result in a boat crash that causes injuries. Colliding with another vessel, an underwater obstruction, or a dock could harm a passenger. Reckless or careless operation is often the cause of vessel collisions.
Watercraft operators must maintain their boats to ensure they are in a safe condition and if they do not, they could be held accountable for any ensuing damages. If someone does take care of their boat and an engine fire or carbon monoxide leak happens due to defective parts, a manufacturer or boat repair contractor could be responsible.
An Upper Marlboro attorney at Gelb & Gelb could investigate whether the cause of the boating crash was a defective part or deferred maintenance.
Maryland Natural Resources Code §8.712(2) requires boat operators to take a safety course unless they were born before July 1, 1972 or another exemption applies. A watercraft must have sufficient flotation devices for its passengers, and the operator must obey navigation laws. Boaters may not operate vessels while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and failure to comply with any of these requirements could be evidence of carelessness.
Anyone who gets hurt while on a boat should seek medical care as soon as possible. Retrieving medical care promptly could strengthen a plaintiff’s case if they later seek to press a claim for damages. Roger Gelb could use a medical record generated as evidence of the claimant’s injuries.
If a boat is in open water when someone gets hurt, help might be several hours away. A delay in medical treatment could aggravate or compound an injury, perhaps increasing the recovery period or making a full recovery impossible.
Common boating injuries include:
These significant injuries could have a permanent impact on someone’s lifestyle. An accomplished Gelb & Gelb attorney could help someone in Upper Marlboro calculate their losses and seek restitution for their damages in a boat wreck.
Someone who seeks damages for their personal injuries has three years from the date of their wreck to file a lawsuit. Missing the deadline is detrimental to a claimant’s suit because a court will refuse to consider a petition filed late. Furthermore, defense teams and insurance companies might lose incentive to negotiate in good faith once the possibility of a lawsuit expires.
Taking legal action early could ensure that a claimant does not miss any important deadlines. It also offers an Upper Marlboro attorney the opportunity to conduct an independent investigation of the watercraft incident and gather evidence while it is still fresh.
If you suffered damages from a collision on the water, your recovery might be slow and difficult. You do not need the additional stress of trying to manage your claim for compensation.
An Upper Marlboro boat accident lawyer at Gelb & Gelb could handle discussions with the defense team and insurance companies and file a lawsuit if needed. Reach out to discuss your case with a qualified attorney today.
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