Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers in Waterford, CT
A summer afternoon spent on a boat in Waterford’s sparkling waters is a special kind of paradise. However, an idyllic day on the water can quickly turn tragic when a boat accident occurs. Boats travel across the water at high speeds, and occupants or individuals in the water have no protection from impact and flying debris. As a result, injuries are often severe or even deadly. These accidents are typically preventable and often a result of negligence. If you or a loved one were injured in a boat accident, a skilled Waterford personal injury lawyer can help you identify liable parties and get compensation for your injuries through a personal injury claim.
Like motorists, boat operators and passengers are required to follow certain safety rules and regulations. Failure to follow these laws can cause accidents or lead to more serious injuries when an accident occurs. An attorney in Waterford could review a boat accident to determine if a negligent boater broke the law and caused an accident.
Boat operators must obtain a Safe Boating Certificate (SBC) or Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO), available through state-approved safety courses. During operation, all operators must follow posted signs regarding wake zones, navigation, and speed. It is illegal to operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Any vessel must have a U.S. Coast Guard safety-approved life jacket for everyone on board. Anyone under age 13 must wear a life jacket at all times unless they are below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
Certain age restrictions exist for operating boats, personal watercraft (jet skis), and tow skiers or tubes. No one under age 12 is permitted to operate a boat unless they are supervised by someone 18 or older with a SBC or CPWO. Individuals under age 16 can only operate a personal watercraft if they have a CPWO and are supervised by someone 18 or older with a CPWO. Every watercraft and vessel operator towing a skier or pulling a tube must be at least 16 years old and have a state boating certificate.
Boat accidents occur for various reasons related to the actions of boat operators or passengers or the condition of the vessel. Some of the most common causes of boat accident injuries include the following:
Determining the cause of an accident is critical in proving liability. In many cases, boating accidents are caused or partially caused by the negligent actions of operators, passengers, or boat manufacturers. A Waterford lawyer could determine who is liable for a boat accident and hold them accountable.
Boating accidents can be especially tragic, causing severe injuries and even death. Victims of these incidents may face extended hospital stays, surgeries, and other expensive medical treatments and miss substantial time from work. If you or a loved one was injured in a boat accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for the costs of medical care and missed work. A Waterford boat accident lawyer at Polito & Harrington could examine your case and help you understand your legal options for pursuing compensation. Do not face the tragic aftermath of a boat crash alone. Call us today to schedule your consultation.
We are committed to provide personalized attention to each and every client’s case – no matter how large or small– because that is each client’s only case. We are proud of our firm’s reputation of combining integrity and compassion with an unflinching dedication to getting the right result. We will do what we say.
