Many water vessels require safety certificates for operation, and everyone on the water has a duty to keep others around them safe. Anyone who violates this duty and causes an accident could be financially liable for every form of harm stemming from the accident.
However, knowing someone else is to blame for your boat crash and making them pay for your damages are two very different things. If you were hurt on the water, reach out to a Norristown boat accident lawyer to discuss your options. At Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, our winning attorneys know how to fight for the payment you deserve. As a boat owner, Founding Partner Jon Ostroff knows the proper safety protocols on the water and is prepared to take legal action against negligent boaters. Our firm has helped over 30,000 injured victims recover compensation after severe accidents—let us help you, too.
Essential Steps to Take After a Boat Accident in Norristown
Like with car crashes, those involved in boat accidents are legally required to stop their boats immediately, help all parties get to safety, and give basic contact information (name, address, and boat registration details) to everyone involved. You must also file a written report with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission within 48 hours of any boat accident that causes more than $2,000 of property damage or leads to anyone getting seriously hurt, disappearing, or being killed.
It is crucial to take these steps before thinking about a possible lawsuit or settlement proposal. Failing to follow the law could make you miss out on the money you need for your injuries and losses. After a collision, you should also take photos of any damage to your boat, any injuries, and the area where the accident occurred. Your local boat accident attorney can combine those pictures with witness testimony, medical documentation, and opinions from accident reconstruction experts to build the strongest possible claim on your behalf.
Proving Someone Else at Fault for a Waterborne Collision
Like most personal injury cases, boat accident claims are typically based on the legal theory of negligence. To make another person pay for your damages, you and your Norristown boat crash lawyer must prove that person was negligent. This means establishing the following:
- The other person—or “defendant”—had a responsibility to act reasonably under specific circumstances
- The other person did something careless or reckless instead
- That irresponsible act—or failure to act—was the direct cause of an accident
- That accident was the direct cause of all the losses you want to be paid for through your civil claim
Importantly, there is a two-year filing deadline set by 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §5524. It is essential to contact our Norristown attorneys as soon as possible after a boating accident so we can begin working toward the compensation you deserve.
Talk to a Norristown Boat Accident Attorney Today
Accidents on the water can be even more dangerous than accidents on the road, given the possibility of drowning. The person who caused your boating accident should be held accountable for their actions. Additionally, enforcing your legal rights can be vital to protect your best interests now and in the future.
Whether at Green Lane Park, in the Poconos, or at the shore, boating accidents can cause serious injuries. A winning Norristown boat accident lawyer from our team will be your ally from beginning to end of the legal process. Learn more by calling Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today.
