When a boating accident occurs, the force of the collision on the open water can have detrimental impacts on one’s wellbeing. If you were involved in a boating accident, you could be suffering from severe injuries that place limitations on your ability to provide for you and your family. In these events, you have legal rights and protections under Florida law. A Baldwin personal injury lawyer can share with you what these protections are and strategize a plan of action on your behalf.
After determining who is responsible for your losses and navigating the legal process, you may be able to recover the cost of your medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and psychological anguish. When you work with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, you do not have to undertake your legal burdens alone. To get started with a free, no-obligation case review, call us today.
Determining the Cause of Your Accident
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the leading causes of boating accidents include operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed, and alcohol use. It is an unfortunate reality that many boating accidents can be tied back to a negligent party’s actions.
Your Baldwin boating accident lawyer will be tasked with reviewing the evidence in your case and determining how your accident happened. This will be crucial to assigning liability and pursuing the cost of your collision-related expenses.
In the course of their investigation, your lawyer may review the following forms of evidence:
- The police report made at the scene of the accident
- Photos and videos demonstrating your injuries or property damage
- Eyewitness statements
- Testimony from an accident reconstruction specialist
- Surveillance footage, if available
- Your medical records
To set your case in motion, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today.
How a Baldwin Boating Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Under Florida Statute 327.30, the operator of a maritime vessel is required by law to operate their watercraft safely. Depending on the details of your situation, the party responsible for your injuries may have been charged with a crime. This has no bearing on your ability to file an insurance claim or lawsuit.
However, the state’s statute of limitations does. Under Florida Statute 95.11, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. Your lawyer will explain how this relates to your case and what needs to be done to promote its’ success.
Some of the tasks your legal team will undertake on your behalf include:
Investigating the Accident
Once we take on your case, we investigate the accident and look for evidence of fault and liability. By doing so, this will provide clarity into who can be held responsible for your financial losses.
Calculating Your Damages
As we mentioned before, if your case is successful, you may be able to pursue the cost of medical bills, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. These are known as “economic damages,” since they have a value that can be verified with supporting documents.
You are also granted the ability under Florida Statute 766.118 to pursue the cost of noneconomic damages, which can include:
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
- Dismemberment
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of household benefits and parental guidance
- Psychological trauma
You may be able to pursue the cost of damages that we have not listed here. Your lawyer will assign value to each of your losses to help you receive as settlement that leaves you with no out-of-pocket expenses.
Filing a Lawsuit
Many personal injury cases are settled without having to go to trial. However, if your legal team cannot reach a fair settlement agreement with the responsible party, you have the option of taking your case to court. From there, how much you can receive for your expenses will be at the behest of a judge’s ruling. Again, you have a limited time to take your case to court under the state’s statute of limitations.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today
When you hire the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, you partner with a team of dedicated professionals who can manage your case and advocate for your rights. To get started with your case, call us.
We Can Help.
