Boat Accident Injury Attorney in Baton Rouge

From sporting to recreation to transportation and everything in between, our state has a bustling maritime side. Unfortunately, this makes boating accidents a larger problem than in most other states.

And because maritime laws are found at the state, federal, and international levels, these can also be some of the most challenging cases for which to seek compensation.

Injuries sustained on the water can be as minor as some scrapes and light burns, or they can be as severe as brain trauma and spinal cord injuries.

Regardless of the severity of the injury, it’s easy for an accident on the water to turn catastrophic in a matter of minutes. You may find yourself with growing medical bills and a lengthy recovery. You may be faced with a changed lifestyle and additional care needs in your future, lost wages, and an inability to maintain the life you once had.

You may even be faced with the funerary costs of a loved one. For many victims, seeking compensation is the only way to handle these expenses.

Not just any lawyer can handle these claims. Guilty parties could downplay your injuries, claim they had nothing to do with the accident, and try to lowball you when it comes to finally offer any compensation.

When you are already injured, scared, and thrown off guard, it is easy to get disheartened by such callus treatment. This is no way to spend your recovery worrying about where your next paycheck will come from or how you will be able to cover your bills.

Our injury attorneys believe in taking a compassionate approach, taking as much of the burden of filing a claim off your shoulders.

What Are The Common Causes Of A Boat Accident In Louisiana?

You will always face some risks when traveling by boat, in the same way, you face risks when driving on a roadway. Everyone has a duty to be as safe as possible on the water, but accidents do happen. There are numerous factors that can contribute to an accident, including:

Careless or Reckless Boating: Just like there are reckless drivers, you might be unfortunate enough to encounter a reckless boater. Sporting and recreational captains are the most common perpetrators of careless driving.

• Allowing passengers to sit in undesignated areas, jumping a wake with other boats nearby, failing to maintain a safe distance from other watercraft, and failure to yield to other watercraft are all considered carelessness and can lead to an accident.
• High Speeds: Some boats have speed in their name, but that doesn’t mean that standard laws in Louisiana and safe speeds do not need to be followed. It is easy to lose control of a boat at high speeds, making accidents that much more of a concern.
• Bad Weather: Even when you listen to the forecast and take precautions, there is a chance that you could run into bad weather on the water. High winds and rains can make the waters choppy and treacherous. Make sure you have a float plan in place and are taking normal precautions.
• Alcohol Use: Boat operators are still subject to DUI laws. Not only could your privileges be revoked, but you could also face up to 5 years in prison for reckless endangerment and breaking the law.

Who Can Be Held Responsible For Your Watercraft Accident?

Any accident can leave you angry and distraught, looking for someone to blame or some way to get back even a small portion of what was taken from you. Initially, monetary compensation may not feel like a fair trade for your pain and suffering.

But for many, this compensation is what they and their loved ones need to be able to pay medical bills incurred from the injury or adjust to a new way of living, sometimes with additional therapy or in-home care.

We understand that your accident has left you reeling and we are here to help you through the tough legal challenges and recovery that you are now facing.

First things first, you need to know the responsible party in your injury claim. Before our attorneys in Baton Rouge file your boating accident suit, we’ll work to determine the parties involved in your suit. This could be the operator, but it could also be crew members or passengers. This will also lead us to determine the cause of the accident, such as intoxication or reckless behavior.

Maritime Law in Baton Rouge

Louisiana’s maritime law also shows that you can hold an owner liable if you are able to show that the boat or watercraft was not properly maintained, thus causing the accident. This negligence applies even if the owner is not on board the craft at the time of the accident.

Likewise, if a malfunction is to blame for your case, we will help you to seek compensation from the part or boat manufacturer responsible for the fault. Your case can get even more complex if you experience an injury that is potentially due to several underlying factors of negligence on the part of various parties.

Maritime law has found a way into some of the most complex cases we have undertaken or brought to trial throughout the history of our firm. You’re already feeling overwhelmed by the circumstances in which you find yourself; you don’t need the additional strain of attempting to learn the facets of a complicated legal system to boot.

That’s why Babcock Injury Lawyers has worked hard to create a name as a caring and persistent team of legal experts. No matter how complex your Baton Rouge case is, an attorney on the team has the experience to help you settle your compensation claim from your boating crash injuries.

We’re confident in our ability to provide a top-of-the-line legal and personal experience when you most need it.

Get In Touch With a Baton Rouge Boat Accident Attorney Today

The aftermath of your accident can go well beyond repairs and medical treatment. You may even experience the loss of a loved one due to the negligence of another on the water. And without the proper legal knowledge, you may not know how to properly file your case, resulting in a loss of compensation that you and your family dearly need to make a full recovery from the experience.

You need to build a water-tight claim that puts clear responsibility on the appropriate parties and highlights both the economic and non-economic compensation that you are entitled to in a fair case.

It’s not easy to practice Louisiana boating accident law; why not get support and legal assistance from a renowned Baton Rouge attorney at Babcock Injury Lawyers?

Call us at (225) 240-4053 a Baton Rouge boat accident lawyer, today to schedule your consultation, free of charge.

Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Cases and Boating Accidents

You have one year from the event of a boating accident to file a personal injury claim according to Louisiana state law CC 3492 Louisiana Civil Code section 3492.