The state of Georgia is home to a wide variety of navigable lakes, rivers, and waterways, many of which are a day trip away from the state’s metropolitan center of Atlanta. Although boating can be a fun and relaxing experience, water activities come with many risks. Negligence while operating a boat can result in serious injuries not just to the operator, but also to their passengers and other people nearby.
If an accident on the water left you dealing with serious physical, financial, and/or personal losses, contact an Atlanta boat accident lawyer and discuss your legal options. With guidance from an experienced personal injury attorney at the Gunn Law Group, you can give yourself the best chances of securing fair compensation for your ordeal.
Establishing Fault for a Boat Accident
Just like with cars or trucks, negligence while operating a boat can result in serious accidents. Accordingly, anyone who causes injury to someone else on the water by violating state laws for safe boat operation, failing to pay attention to their surroundings, or failing to have appropriate safety gear on board may bear civil liability for the incident.
However, simply alleging that someone else did something reckless or careless at some point prior to a boating accident is not sufficient to secure compensation. A boat accident victim and their Atlanta attorney specifically must define the following:
- The duty of reasonable care the defendant owed them under the circumstances
- How the defendant violated their duty
- A causal link between that violation and the accident
In a successful claim, a plaintiff and their lawyer could demand restitution for all economic and non-economic forms of harm stemming from the watercraft accident. An Atlanta boat crash attorney at our firm could identify what damages may be compensable in a particular situation and help build a strong case for civil recovery.
Potential Obstacles in Atlanta Boat Collision Claims
Under Official Code of Georgia §51-11-7, any person found to bear 50 percent or more of the blame for an accident is ineligible to recover any civil compensation from another partially liable party. Furthermore, under O.C.G.A. §51-12-33, a plaintiff less than 50 percent at fault can only recover for a percentage of their losses proportional to their degree of blame. As such, it is critical for boat crash victims to work with dedicated legal counsel in the area who could collect evidence of negligence by other parties and protect their rights to pursue compensation.
Additionally, it is important to remember that O.C.G.A. §9-3-33 gives most injured victims a maximum of two years after an incident to file suit. There are many legal nuances in these types of cases, making it essential to work with a local boating accident attorney who understands how to avoid these procedural pitfalls. At the Gunn Law Group, our lawyers can help file claims on time and advise victims throughout the legal process.
Get in Touch with an Atlanta Boat Accident Attorney Today
Each year, accidents involving boats or personal watercraft cause many serious injuries in state of Georgia. Unfortunately, just because these accidents are somewhat common does not mean they make for simple or straightforward personal injury claims, especially if you proceed without support from a seasoned legal professional.
Representation from an Atlanta boat accident lawyer could make all the difference in the outcome of your lawsuit or settlement demand. Call the hardworking team at the Gunn Law Group today to learn how we can fight for you.