Atlanta
Boat Accident Lawyer

Here in Atlanta, we are fortunate to be close to many recreational lakes. But a relaxing day out on a lake can turn horrific with a boating accident. Drivers of boats and Jet Skis have the same responsibility as auto drivers.

If another boater’s negligence has injured you, you call an Atlanta boating accident attorney at one of Atlanta’s largest personal injury law firms. We have been serving Atlanta for more than 20 years. Our only mission is to help you recover medically and to get you the best possible financial recovery.

How an Atlanta Boat Crash Lawyer Can Help You Recover Losses

When you get in touch with a personal injury attorney in Atlanta, the first thing they’ll do for you is listen to your story. They’ll review your case with you to find the best course of action; then, they will do their best to get you the compensation you need to recover from your crash. Things that your boat accident attorney in Atlanta, GA, may do include:

• Gather evidence of the other party’s wrongdoing
• Calculate the full extent of your damages
• Negotiate with the insurance company
• Represent you in court in the rare event that your case goes to trial

The best thing about your boat accident attorney’s services is that they won’t cost you anything upfront. Our team works on a contingency-fee-basis, which means their fees only come after you’ve gotten compensation. That way, there’s no risk of hiring a boating accident lawyer in Atlanta for a claim that isn’t successful.

Common Types of Boating Accidents

Both nationally and in Georgia, many water sports crashes involve Jet Skis. Often operators are renters who don’t ride Jet Skis often and are uncomfortable handling a large water machine. Jet Ski drivers tend to be young and more reckless.

Add to this equation that millions of people visit our Georgia lakes yearly. And they go to have fun, which means alcohol consumption.

Boaters tend to be relaxed when they should be driving defensively and avoiding excessive speeds. Assume that many people have been drinking, and because you are driving on water, any collision can result in drowning.

Compensation You’ll Receive from a Boat Accident Claim in Atlanta

If another boater is at fault in a crash, you could recover several different types of damages. By recovering damages, you can afford the costs you’ll have to pay to cover your injuries. There are two main types of claims you could file:

• Property damage claims are to replace or repair the cost of your damaged boat or Jet Ski
• Bodily injury claims are to recover any costs for medical expenses, wages lost from the accident, and general pain and suffering

That compensation can be the expenses you’ve already paid or those you’ll have to pay in the future. You should have an experienced personal injury lawyer who can tally up all your damages.

Economic Damages

Boat accident damages can be quite costly. Financial losses are often exorbitant. Fortunately, you have the right to recover your economic damages in court and potentially through an insurance claim.

Some examples of economic damages you could recover in your Atlanta boating accident claim include:

• Medical bills
• Costs of prescription medications
• Physical and occupational therapy fees
• Lost income and diminished earning potential
• Future medical expenses
• Medical equipment fees
• Other healthcare costs
• Hikes to your insurance premiums
• Costs of boat repairs or boat replacement costs

Non-Economic Damages

However, you are also entitled to compensation for how your Atlanta boat accident emotionally and physically affected you. These are commonly known as non-economic damages.

Your attorney will need to quantify them using the per diem or multiplier method, whichever yields a higher monetary worth, to accurately calculate the value of your non-economic damages. Some examples of non-economic damages you could be entitled to include:

• Chronic pain from your injuries or treatment
• Physical suffering you endured
• Emotional distress and psychological trauma
• Loss of support, companionship, love, and protection
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering

Establishing Liability in a Boating Accident Case

Most often, the negligent boat operator is liable for a boat accident. If a driver in any way caused the accident, whether by driving too fast, driving recklessly, or not looking where they were going, you could sue them and demand they pay your damages or, more likely, their insurance company could pay.

There is a chance that a separate third party could be liable, though. For example, if a boat owner knew their craft was dangerous or faulty and didn’t disclose that to someone using their boat, they could be responsible. Similarly, faulty or dangerous equipment manufacturers could be liable for the damage their products cause.

In Georgia, another party could also be held responsible: the victim. According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-12-33, the state’s modified comparative negligence rule, even if someone was less than 50% at fault for their accident, their compensation could be reduced proportionally.

A skilled Atlanta boating accident lawyer will be able to investigate your case and show exactly who was at fault for your accident and why you should receive all the financial compensation you’re owed.

Atlanta’s Deadline for Boat Accident Claims

The statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim is two years in Georgia. However, there are exceptions to the law that only an attorney would know. Cities, counties, municipalities, Indian reservations, and cruise ships all have much shorter statutes of limitations.

Don’t forfeit your right to sue by waiting too long to call a personal injury attorney. Your deadline to file could differ depending on your case’s details. And the earlier you file, the higher your chance to recover the maximum compensation.

Also, when you file your boat accident claim early, you give you and your boat accident lawyer in Atlanta, GA, more time to gather evidence to build a strong case. Having strong evidence increases your likelihood of recovering compensation.

Contact a Boating Accident Attorney in Atlanta Today

The boat accident attorneys in Atlanta, GA, at John Foy & Associates, are a large, established law firm, so we can afford to take our time and get you a fair settlement. We have the resources necessary for your personal injury claim.

It’s as simple as calling or contacting us online to find out what our Atlanta boat accident attorneys can do for you. Your consultation is free and private.