Things You Need to Know About Boat Accident Attorneys

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Boating accidents are always quite alarming and are most common in the deep Ocean. Sea and boating accidents are quite not new so there are laws assigned to boats, the sea, and other forms of transportation by water.

Boating accidents are caused by some little negligence while some are caused by unavoidable circumstances.

Unfortunately, when you fall a victim to a boating accident, you need to hire a boating accident attorney to help you with your maritime case. You need a lawyer who studied maritime law and has proficient knowledge about your complicated claims.

It’s time to read through things you need to know about boating accident attorneys to prepare you perhaps against the day you get involved in this situation.

Table of Contents

What is a Maritime Law?

Maritime law is simply a professional law that resolves accidents and damage that happen through the water. Maritime law is known as federal law. That is, the law covers every state in the US, and accidents are primarily resolved in a federal court.

The inception of maritime law can be traced back to the Egyptians, the Greeks, and other ancient cultures.

In the ancient culture, boats crossing oceans have been the major means of transportation from country to country so they have to provide rules for boats, ships, and their owners.

However, other states also have laws that govern their ocean that you must abide it when it comes to boating in the ocean.

Now that you’ve known what maritime law is about, let’s quickly consider the causes of boating and the necessary steps to take when you find yourself in it.

What does a Boat Accident Attorney do?

A boat accident attorney is the legal representative of victims involved in boat accidents, they’re charged with defending the victim and holding the negligent party responsible.

List of Boating Accidents Covered by the Maritime Law

Maritime Law or admiralty law cover different types of boating accident and each of these laws demand that you hire a Bono accident attorney.

The most popular types of boat accident are:-

Crash between two boats.
Crash between a boat and a fixed object.
Boat employee’s injury or death from the collision.
Commercial shipping accident that causes damage.
Illegal act.

Boat operators must have a license in some states while some states do not have an age limit for those that can operate a boat.

Common Causes of Boat Accidents

The causes of most boat accidents listed above are mostly a result of negligence that can be avoided if taken to heart.

These common causes include:-

Negligence or inexperience while operating a vessel
Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Speeding while operating a vessel
Lack of boat maintenance or machinery failure.

Statutes of Limitations Involving Maritime Law

If you want to file a lawsuit of a boat accident that involves Maritime law, there are Statutes of Limitations attached based on the types of boat accidents. The Statutes of Limitations period allotted to you during the time of the incident and the period of filing a lawsuit for the incident.

The maritime Statutes of Limitations involving boat accidents are:-

Death on the High Sea Act: This act gives the family of the victim involved three years to file a lawsuit.
The Jones Act: The Jones Act states that an employee involved with the transportation of goods for exchange to file a personal injury lawsuit within are years.
Longshore Harbor and Workers’ Compensation Act: When an employee is injured on a boat while working, they have a year to file a lawsuit for workers’ compensation.

Evidence That Helps a Boat Accident Case

For a boat accident case to yield success, you and your boat accident lawyer will need strong evidence that tells the damage done, be it damage to water boats or injury by a victim.

A few of the evidence you must have to support your claim are:

Photos of the damage done
Witness statements and the police documentation from the incident and negligence.
Medical documents of someone who’s been injured or dead.

Conclusion

A boat accident attorney is the right source to contact after being involved in bloat accidents to receive compensation for damages. Thus, you must hire an attorney that is knowledgeable and experienced in maritime law for good representation and backup.

Additionally, you can get specific free legal consultation about your situation before you get into such trouble.

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