Gainesville Boat Accident Lawyer

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Boating Accident Lawyer in Gainesville, Florida

The Gainesville area offers many lakes and other bodies of water to enjoy a day outside with family and friends. Although Gainesville is not on the coast, it is close to several lakes. Residents may also drive to the beach to partake in boating or water sports. There are risks associated with these peaceful and enjoyable pastimes, however.

A boat operator should be just as responsible as a motor vehicle driver at all times when they are in control of their vessel. These precautions protect boaters, their passengers, and everyone out on the water from catastrophic consequences. However, operator error or inexperience causes many of these accidents.

Poor weather conditions or a defective product can also cause an accident and serious injuries. The state’s extensive beaches, high tourism rate, and many lakes might even contribute to boating accidents. Determining the cause of a crash and liable parties can require a complicated investigation.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a boating accident or any related water accident, such as a jet ski accident, please do not hesitate to talk to an attorney at our firm.

At Steven A. Bagen & Associates, our lawyers represent clients throughout Gainesville and all the surrounding areas in boating accident claims. We handle cases involving both lake and ocean accidents. Your initial consultation with a Gainesville boat accident lawyer at our firm is free, and the sooner we can become involved, the better.

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A Gainesville Boating Accident Lawyer with Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. Can Help You

Our Gainesville personal injury lawyers know how to deliver results for our clients. For over 30 years, Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. has helped Florida residents who have suffered an injury in accidents. We have won hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients, and the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys has recognized our commitment to client satisfaction.

We received the Super Lawyers designation, which they give to fewer than five percent of attorneys in the country. American Trial Lawyers also recognizes us as a Top 100 Personal Injury Firm.

We have experienced legal professionals who can protect your rights, with over 100 years of combined experience in our firm. No fee is guaranteed – we don’t collect payment until you do.

Gainesville Boating Accident Attorneys

When pursuing a personal injury claim in Florida, you can choose from a wide range of boat accident lawyers.

Make your decision based on:

• How close are the lawyer’s offices to you?
• Does the lawyer have experience representing boating accident victims?
• Can the law firm handle your boating accident case?
• Is your lawyer experienced in both negotiations and litigation related to boating accidents?
• How does the law firm handle payments? Do they work on a contingency basis?

After a serious boating accident, an injured boater needs someone by their side to help pursue justice and compensation. At Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., we can help you.

We have handled all kinds of boating accident cases in Gainesville. We have represented both large and small boat accident victims in Florida. We understand and can pursue claims under Florida statutes and federal maritime law, whichever applies to your case.

Accident victims should always seek help from boating accident lawyers after an injury. We are an ideal choice when a serious boating accident occurs in Florida due to our history of representing accident victims throughout the state.

Contact us today or visit our office if you have any questions. Regardless of where you live in Florida, we’ve got you covered. Our Gainesville boating accident attorneys can provide legal guidance and support when you need it most.

We offer free consultations to all boating accident victims. We will meet with you in person or virtually to discuss your accident, injuries, plans, and goals. Furthermore, we provide you with honest feedback on all your legal options so that you can make an informed decision.

Causes of Boating Accidents

Boating accidents in the U.S. are more common than you might expect. Per statistics provided by the United States Coast Guard, thousands of recorded accidents cause millions of dollars in property damage every year and many injuries.

Don’t feel alone if you have suffered an injury in a boating accident. If you understand the potential causes of your accident, you can determine whether someone else made an error or was negligent in ultimately causing your injury.

For example, launching a boat is probably not a good idea if the water is rough or visibility is poor. Another party may be liable for your injuries if a boat operator’s poor judgment puts you at risk.

Before embarking on a journey, the owner or operator of a vessel must ensure their craft is safe. Boats and watercraft that do not undergo a proper inspection can result in mechanical problems and injure passengers.

Having drugs or alcohol in a person’s system while operating a boat is dangerous, and some levels of intoxication make it illegal to operate the boat. The United States Coast Guard reports alcohol is the leading cause of boating accidents in the United States, contributing to more than 20 percent of deaths.

There may be a lot of distractions during a boat excursion, and distractions at the wrong time can have devastating consequences. A distracted pilot may have caused your accident, and that distraction can lead to liability.

Captains can ensure the safety of passengers—for example, by keeping enough life vests on board. You can take legal action against the boat owner or operator if they fail to take proper safety measures before your accident.

What Are the Most Common Types of Boating Accident Injuries?

A boating accident can happen in a variety of ways.

These accidents are common:

• Getting injured on board or at the dock as a result of slipping and falling
• Drowning
• Getting into collisions
• Getting knocked overboard
• Injury caused by propellers

Choosing to go boating involves a certain amount of risk for everyone on board, as there are many different types of accidents you can experience. As a result, the operator’s and crew’s responsibility is to ensure passenger safety.

Many parties can be liable for boat crashes, and we seek to determine all sources of liability for our clients.

Losses, Injuries, and Suffering

Injuries caused by accidents can result in many damages, and victims should know their rights and the value of their boat accident claim.

You can suffer devastating injuries requiring extensive medical treatment. Medical bills can lead to significant financial loss following a boating accident. The effects of some injuries sustained can last for weeks, months, or years. You may be entitled to recover financial compensation for your various losses by filing a claim, even though nothing can replace your suffering.

Our Gainesville boating accident lawyers can calculate your losses and seek the necessary compensation for you.

Who Is Responsible for a Boating Accident?

Federal maritime law governs boating accidents in international or interstate waters, but state civil law governs most local collisions. To hold another individual financially responsible for damages after a Gainesville boating accident, a victim and their attorney must prove legal negligence.

Similar behaviors that constitute negligence in car wrecks often cause waterborne accidents. For instance, boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs can result in the same criminal penalties and civil liability as driving under the influence.

It Is the Boat Owner’s Responsibility to Maintain the Vessel

According to Florida Law, boat owners are liable for the negligence of anyone operating their vessel who has their implicit or explicit consent, even if the owner is not physically present. In Gainesville boat accident claims, this can significantly impact who serves as the defendant, as our skilled attorneys can explain in more detail.

Boat Rental Liability

Florida has a very popular recreational boating industry that involves visitors to the state. Unfortunately, many people injured in boating accidents have never been on a boat before.

People may rent boats without a valid boating safety certificate or the necessary knowledge for safe operation. Negligent rental practices can result in the party responsible for renting a vessel to an unqualified person being held liable.

Florida Boating Regulations

Florida’s recreational and tourist industries depend on boating, so adding more regulations will only frustrate customers. Thus, those born before 1988 don’t need a boating license or boating safety courses. Boating accidents are more likely to occur in Florida because many boaters lack the required licenses and training.

Most Floridians are unaware that accidents that occur on public waterways fall under federal admiralty law. In some cases, Florida’s federal courts can hear the case due to their different judicial procedures. Rather than claiming negligence based on traditional personal injury standards, it might be necessary to file an admiralty claim.

Separate laws govern different types of accidents. Our Gainesville boating accident lawyers know which standards to use when requesting compensation from the court.

How Can Our Gainesville Boating Accident Attorneys Help You?

In the event of a boating accident, you need someone to advocate for you. Focus on your recovery and care after an accident. There will be a lot of doctor’s appointments and therapy sessions on your schedule, and you will have a hard time managing anything else.

Our Gainesville boating accident attorneys can take the legal burden off your shoulders.

Among the services provided by our team of lawyers are:

• Investigate the boating accident thoroughly
• Investigate the crash’s cause
• Identify the responsible party
• Identify the facts
• Obtain eyewitness testimony
• Negotiate with insurers
• Make use of medical experts

What Is the Impact of Uninsured Boating?

The law does not require liability insurance for boats in Florida, which is a problem that boat accident victims face. Your insurance policy might not cover your immediate medical needs and bills if you suffered an injury on a boat.

You may have no choice but to sue the negligent boat operator directly, and they may not have the funding to cover your costs.

We can clarify whether the boat owner or rental company was at fault if you suffered an injury in a Gainesville boat accident. If a party demonstrated negligence by entrusting their boat to someone without any experience or training, you might recover compensation from them in addition to the boat operator.

What Compensation Can You Seek?

Following a successful legal claim, you may be eligible for different types of compensation.

The compensation might include:

• Payment for past and current medical expenses, including doctor visits, medication, etc.
• Compensation for emotional suffering
• Expenses associated with lost wages caused by an injury

While nothing can change the fact that you suffered injuries in a boating accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your losses. Despite how complicated it may seem, you can rely on our lawyers for assistance throughout the legal process. Legal counsel can help you better understand your options.

Per Florida Statutes § 95.11, you have as long as four years to start the process of filing a personal injury claim. Keep your legal options open by consulting a lawyer as soon as possible.

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Talk To A Gainesville Boat Accident Lawyer From Steven A. Bagen & Associates Today

When a lawyer gets involved early in an insurance claim or lawsuit after a boating accident, they can handle all aspects of the claim properly. A lawyer can help you avoid unintentionally admitting liability or losing your chance to recover financial compensation if you do not act within the state’s statute of limitations.

Injuries or losing a loved one in a boating accident may have a dramatic and devastating impact on your life. At Steven A. Bagen & Associates, our attorneys believe in helping accident victims and their families seek justice and money to rebuild their lives.

Contact a Gainesville boating accident attorney at our firm today at (800) 800-2575 for a free consultation and more information about how we can help you.

Client Testimonial

“My experience was beyond satisfactory, from the first call with Mr. Bagen for consultation, to working with Megan to achieve the end goal. I definitely want to thank them for their hard work and dedication to my case along with the warm and friendly care. My calls were always returned in a timely manner, and no matter the question I had Megan always helped. I would highly recommend.

Once again I can’t thank you guys enough!” – Teresa S.

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Gainesville Office

6241 NW 23rd Street
Suite 300
Gainesville, FL 32653

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Phone: (800) 800-2575