Falling out of a boat and into a lake or ocean does not make for a softer landing than an impact against concrete or asphalt on land. Boaters know how dangerous accidents can be, as well as how much harm a single reckless or careless operator can cause to people on other nearby vessels or in the water.
You have the same right to seek civil compensation from a negligent boater who causes you harm as you do from a negligent motor vehicle driver who causes a wreck. You also have the same help available from our experienced personal injury attorneys. In the wake of any kind of accident away from land that results in serious injury, contacting an Eatontown boat accident lawyer for legal support should be one of your top priorities.
What Does Negligence on the Water Look Like?
Just like drivers on public roads have a duty of care to obey traffic law and keep their focus entirely on driving, boat operators in navigable waterways have a similar duty to act safely and lawfully while around swimmers and other vessels. Any breach of this duty that directly leads to an accident—from an overtly illegal act like speeding through a no-wake zone to a simply careless one like getting distracted at the wheel—can potentially be the basis for a civil lawsuit.
Someone found at fault for a boating accident can be made to pay financially for every negative effect that accident will have on the injured person suing them, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Vessel repair or replacement costs and other out-of-pocket expenses
- Mental trauma and anguish
- Costs of medical treatment for accident-related injuries
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Lost work wages and long-term earning potential
Alternatively, an Eatontown boat accident attorney can help you seek compensation through a wrongful death claim for losses stemming from a family member’s fatal boating accident.
Getting Past Legal and Procedural Roadblocks
Comparative fault can change a case’s outcome. If you’re found partially at fault for causing a boat accident through your own negligent behavior, New Jersey law allows a court to reduce the total amount of money you receive for your damages—or even permanently close your case without paying you anything at all—based on your assigned share of fault for the accident.
Even if someone else is to blame for your boat-related injuries, you have limited time under New Jersey law to sue them. You typically do not have more than two years to start the legal process after initially getting hurt. Contacting a skilled lawyer as soon as possible after a boat accident near Eatontown can be vital to protecting your long-term best interests.
Get Help from an Eatontown Boat Accident Attorney
Boat collisions and other accidents away from land can be just as dangerous as car crashes and even more dangerous in some situations. If you’ve been hurt through an incident like this and believe someone else is at fault for causing it, you shouldn’t delay in exploring and taking full advantage of your right to pursue civil restitution from that person.
Working closely with an Eatontown boat accident lawyer is essential to getting the best case result possible and making sure you get the money you deserve for the harm you shouldn’t have sustained. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to get started. You don’t owe us anything until we win the compensation you deserve.
