Here in Atlanta, we are fortunate to be so close to so 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, call an Atlanta boating accident attorney at John Foy & Associates, one of Atlanta’s largest personal injury law firms. We’re specialists in personal injury law. 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 Accident Lawyer Can Help You Recover Losses
When you get in touch with a boat accident lawyer in Atlanta, the first thing they’ll do for you is listen to your story. They’ll go over your case with you to find out what the best course of action is, then they will do their best to get you the compensation you need to recover from your accident. Things that your boat accident attorney in Atlanta 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 accidents involve Jet Skis. Often drivers are renters who don’t ride Jet Skis very often and are not comfortable 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 each year. And they go to have fun which means alcohol use. Boaters tend to be relaxed when they should be driving defensively.
Assume that a good number of people have been drinking, and because you are driving on water, any collision can result in drowning.
Atlanta Boat Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-400-4000
Compensation You’ll Receive from a Boat Accident Claim in Atlanta
If another boater is determined to be at fault in an accident, you have the right to recover the following:
- 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 either the expenses you’ve already paid or those that you’ll have to pay in the future. You should have an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side who knows how to tally up all of 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:
- Hospital 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 you have been emotionally and physically affected by your Atlanta boat accident. These are commonly known as non-economic damages.
Your attorney will need to quantify them using the per diem method or multiplier method, whichever yields a higher monetary worth, to calculate the value of your non-economic damages accurately. 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
Establishing Liability in a Boating Accident Case
Most often, the person liable for a boat accident is the negligent boat driver. If a driver in any way caused the accident, whether by driving too fast, driving recklessly, or not looking where they were going, they could be responsible for paying 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, manufacturers of faulty or dangerous equipment could be liable for damage that their products caused.
In Georgia, there’s another party that could also be held responsible: the victim. The state’s modified comparative negligence rule (Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-12-33) states that even if someone was less than 50% at fault for their accident, their compensation can 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 compensation you’re owed.
For a free legal consultation with a boat accidents lawyer serving Atlanta, call 404-400-4000
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 periods of statutes of limitations.
Don’t forfeit your right to sue by waiting too long to call a personal injury attorney.
Contact a Boating Accident Attorney in Atlanta Today
The Atlanta boating accident attorneys at John Foy & Associates are a large, established law firm, so we can afford to take our time and get you the best settlement. We have the resources necessary for your personal injury claim.
It’s as simple as calling us or contacting us online to find out what John Foy & Associates attorneys can do for you. Your consultation is free and private.
Call or text 404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
