Phoenix Boat Accident Lawyer
Recreational Boating Accidents
Boasting picturesque scenery and plentiful wild game and fish, Phoenix area lakes such as Apache Lake, Canyon Lake, and Saguaro Lake are popular outdoor leisure destinations. Along with these beautiful lakes, the Phoenix area offers many rivers. Fishing and recreational boating are extremely popular pastimes, even year-round. When tragedy strikes on the water, the claim for compensation can be complicated. If you or a family member has been injured in an accident, you need the swift and effective legal guidance of skilled Phoenix Boating Accident Attorneys. Call the team at the Law Offices of Joel W. Black, LLC. We have over 50 years of combined experience in personal injury cases.
Who Is Liable
While many factors may contribute to a boating accident, responsibility can lie in the following areas:
- The negligent driver of a boat you are a passenger on or other passengers who acted in a negligent or reckless manner
- Other reckless or careless boat operators on the water
- A person or company you rented a boat from
- The boat manufacturer or manufacturer of boat parts
- The negligent person or shop who may have made recent repairs to your watercraft
Boating Accident Damages
In the state of Arizona, operators of boats, (just like car, motorcycle, or truck drivers) have a legal obligation to operate their watercraft in a safe manner to ensure the welfare of the passengers aboard and other boaters they may come in contact with. When negligence behavior occurs they generally come with dire consequences. The injuries sustained in a boating accident can range from minor to severe and can even result in death. Sometimes, personal property may be involved and you may have sustained damage to, or a total loss of, your boat. You have the legal right to seek compensation after an accident. Here are some of the damages you may be able to recover for:
- costs of medical treatment, present and future
- loss of income during recovery
- loss of earning capacity
- pain and suffering
- loss of companionship, if a death occurs
- property damages to your boat or other personal property
Getting Help
Liability may not be clear. That is where having skilled Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys in your corner advocating for you comes in. We know boating accident law and have experience litigating these types of cases. Even if the responsible party owns up to their negligence, their insurer may try to get you to settle for an amount that is well below the value of your claim. Even your own personal medical insurance carrier is only interested in their own bottom line. “Big Box” insurance companies will attempt to get rid of you and your claim for compensation as quickly as possible. While a settlement may be tempting and seem like a lot of money at the time, it may not cover all the actual damages as well as punitive damages.
Punitive damages, those above and beyond what is financially incurred by the victim, are intended to punish the guilty party for reckless or inappropriate behavior. Punitive damages in a civil action also can function as a deterrent for others. If a crime has been committed, such as boating under the influence, pursuant to ARS 5-039, the state may pursue a criminal action.
Seek Legal Guidance
We understand what you are going through. An injury can turn your life upside down. It is important that you are able to focus on recovering from your injuries and getting your life back on track. We will fight for your family’s economic security and for the justice you deserve. Don’t delay reaching out to our skilled team. Like most states, Arizona has a law known as the “statute of limitations” that sets a time limit on when you are able to file and bring about an injury case. We are conveniently located in Phoenix and we offer free confidential initial consultations. Call us today at (602) 277-1393 or fill out our online case evaluation request. We are here to help you in your time of need.