OFFSHORE BOAT DROWNING AND ACCIDENT LAWYERS

CONTACT ONE OF OUR NATIONWIDE ZINDA LAW GROUP OFFSHORE BOAT DROWNING LAWYERS TODAY AT (888) 240-9319 TO DISCUSS YOUR UNIQUE CASE

People travel offshore in a boat for many different reasons. You may be planning to go fishing, to visit other islands, or you may just want to enjoy the wind and the waves and the fresh air. Every time a boat leaves the shore, however, the occupants are at risk of drowning or other similar accidents.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury while on a boat offshore, Zinda Law Group may be able to help. Zinda Law Group personal injury lawyers have the ability and resources necessary to evaluate your offshore boat drowning or accident case and help advise you of your legal rights.

Our attorneys may fight on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (888) 240-9319 for your 100% free consultation. You do not pay us a thing unless we are successful in winning your case.

CAUSES OF BOAT ACCIDENTS

There are many different causes of boating accidents. For example, the boat operator may be speeding, drinking, or otherwise negligent, causing a collision. No matter the cause, Zinda Law Group may be able to help get you or your loved one the maximum amount of compensation available for a case like yours. Below are examples of common causes of boating accidents:

Negligence

Negligence occurs when a boat operator acts in an unreasonable manner. You may be able to receive compensation for your injuries if you can prove that you sustained damages as a result of that negligence. Common examples of boating accidents caused by negligence include:

• Navigating a boat in inclement weather
• Colliding the vessel with other another boat or a fixed object
• Overcrowding or overloading the boat
• Hitting a big wave or wake at excessive speeds

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

Laws for drinking and operating a boat are similar to those for drinking and driving a motor vehicle. Every state in this country has laws regarding alcohol consumption and boat operation, with the majority of the states applying their laws to all boats, regardless of whether the vessel has a motor. Legal penalties for drinking and driving a boat may include:

• Loss or suspension of a boating license
• Hefty fines
• Jail time
• Criminal charges
• Seizure and impoundment of the boat

Driving a boat while drinking or while under the influence of drugs is always a bad idea. The American Boating Association has reported that in 2019, there were 4,168 accidents, including 613 deaths and approximately $55 million dollars in property damage, as a result of recreational boating accidents. Of those accidents, alcohol use was the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.

Lack of Required Equipment

Multiple federal and state laws detail what safety equipment and other necessary features must be present on board any boat. Although there are certain exceptions, examples of the U.S. Coast Guard minimum requirements for recreational boats include:

• Approved personal flotation devices must be worn by each person on board or being towed on water skis, tubes, etc. on boats smaller than 16 feet.
• Approved personal flotation devices must be worn by each person on board or being towed on boats between 16 feet and 65.6 feet. These sized boats must also carry one throwable flotation device.
• Every boat less than 65.6 feet in length must carry an efficient sound-producing device.
• Boats smaller than 16 feet must carry an approved visual distress signal for nighttime use.
• Boats between 16 feet and 65.6 feet must carry approved visual distress signals for both daytime and nighttime use.

Although lack of proper safety equipment may not cause an accident, it may lead to substantial injury to the passengers, or even an accidental drowning, in the case of an accident. It is important to always be aware of, and follow, the boating laws in your state before going out on the open waters.

Excessive Speeds

While operating a boat in excess of the posted signs is illegal, the operator must still consider what speed is reasonable given the waterway traffic, weather, and number of swimmers in the water nearby. Operating a boat at excessive speeds may create unnecessary dangers and injury to the occupants of the boat, or to others. For example, speeding may cause unexpected waves, causing other boats to flip, or it may increase the risk of losing a passenger, resulting in a drowning accident.

If you were involved in a boating accident, or have lost a loved one due to an offshore drowning incident, it is important to contact an offshore boat drowning attorney as soon as possible. Our team at Zinda Law Group has the experience and resources necessary to investigate your claim, determine who is at fault, and fight on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve. We have the ability to answer any of your legal questions and to guide you through each step of the often-confusing legal process.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO AFTER AN OFFSHORE BOATING ACCIDENT?

Following a boating accident, you may be left feeling hopeless, hurt, and confused. It is important, therefore, to understand what to do immediately following an offshore boat accident. Following these relatively simple steps may help you to stay calm, preserve crucial evidence, and protect your physical and mental wellbeing.

Seek Medical Attention

If you have been involved in a boating accident, it is important to seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. No matter how minor you believe your injuries are, a medical professional will have the ability to diagnose all of your injuries, including those you may be unaware of. Further, an official medical report may serve as crucial evidence in your boat accident lawsuit when determining compensation.

Document the Scene

After you and the other passengers are safe, the next step is to document the scene of the accident. This includes taking pictures of anything that may be important in your future lawsuit. For instance, you may want to take photographs of any damage to the boat, any injuries you have sustained, and the environment surrounding the accident.

Along with taking pictures, you may also want to write down everything you can remember about how the incident occurred, what happened immediately following the accident, and the insurance information of the other party. Although you may feel that you can remember all of these details later on, it may take weeks, months, or even longer for your case to get in front of a judge. Writing down this information may stop you from forgetting crucial facts in the future.

Contact an Experienced Offshore Injury Attorney

Lastly, you should contact an experienced offshore boat drowning and accident attorney before bringing your wrongful death or personal injury claim. The sooner you are able to contact a boat injury attorney, the sooner your lawyer can help investigate your case, locate important witnesses, and gather the necessary evidence to support your claim.

If you have suffered from a boating accident, or have lost a loved one due to an offshore drowning incident, contact Zinda Law Group today. Our experienced attorneys have helped countless individuals get their lives back on track after suffering from a traumatic event, and we may be able to help you too.

IS THERE A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY NEAR ME?

If you have been injured in a boating accident, you may be wondering whether there is an affordable personal injury attorney near you. Of great benefit to you is the fact that Zinda Law Group has offices near offshore boating launch locations across the south and southwest, and our experienced team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to discuss your potential boat accident claim. Examples of the cities and surrounding areas where we practice include, but are not limited to:

• Bryan College-Station
• Corpus Christi, Texas
• San Antonio, Texas
• Houston, Texas
• Miami, Florida

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, contact Zinda Law Group today. We have the resources and ability necessary to investigate your claim, determine who is at fault, and fight on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

CALL AN EXPERIENCED ZINDA LAW GROUP PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS

Whether boating for pleasure, for travel, or for business, anytime a boat leaves the shore and enters the open seas, the captain and other boat occupants are at risk of drowning. After an accident happens, the boat owner may attempt to minimize his or her liability for the resulting death or related injuries. An experienced offshore injury lawyer may be crucial, therefore, in getting you the compensation you need to pay for the damages you or a loved one have incurred.

At Zinda Law Group, we have the experience necessary to help the families of offshore boat drowning victims file successful boating accidental drowning claims. Our team has the ability to determine who is at fault and to hold the negligent parties accountable for the injuries and losses they have caused. Contact Zinda Law Group today at (888) 240-9319 for your 100% free consultation.

You will not pay us a dime unless we are successful in winning your unique case. That is our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.

Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.