Here in Atlanta, we’re 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 you’ve been injured by another boater’s negligence, 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’ve 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.
What Should You Do After Someone Hits Your Boat?
Treat your boating accident as seriously as you would a car wreck. If someone hits your boat, you should:
- Document what happened as well as you can.
- Call 911 and make a police report. Officers will write a report and help you get any necessary medical help.
- If your phone still works, take as many photos as possible of all the boats involved, the condition of your boat, the scene, and anything that you think might be relevant to the accident.
- Try to get the names and telephone numbers of any witnesses.
- Immediately get whatever medical care you need.
After that, before you call anyone else, call a boat accident attorney in Atlanta. Our specialists will work side by side with you and provide all the help you need.
Don’t Settle for Less than You Deserve
Most people are in a hurry to move past an accident and put it in the past. Unfortunately, insurance companies are also in a hurry to settle. In fact, the sooner they can close the case, the better served they are. Take a breath, call a personal injury attorney.
We’ll help you cooperate with all the insurance companies involved, but we will protect you along the way. Do not sign any insurance paperwork or agree to make a recorded statement without first consulting us.
Of course, we want you to tell the truth, but we want to control the flow of information. Insurance companies have no right to much of your information, for example, whether you have insurance or whether you were treated for some prior irrelevant condition.
Our investigators and associates will work hard with the complicated process of proving who is liable for the accident. Don’t wait to get a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers.
Atlanta Boat Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-400-4000
Can You Sue for a Boat Accident?
Yes, you can sue for a boat accident as long as someone else was to blame–and you had less than 50% of the fault. Boat accident claims usually revolve around negligence, which happens when someone breaches their duty of care to you. Any boat driver has a duty of care to not endanger others on the water.
While you can technically sue for your accident, you often don’t have to go that far. Most accident claims actually get settled before they ever reach court. That way, both parties save money on lawyer fees and you walk away with compensation.
If you’re not sure whether you have a valid claim, you can talk to a boat accident lawyer in Atlanta for free. At your initial consultation, an attorney can assess your case and let you know what you can do to recover the damages you lost because of your accident.
How Can an Atlanta Boat Accident Lawyer Help?
When you get in touch with a boat accident lawyer, 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 lawyer for a claim that isn’t successful.
For a free legal consultation with a boat accidents lawyer serving Atlanta, call 404-400-4000
Who Is Liable in a Boating Accident?
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 that 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 boat 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.
What Type of Compensation Can I Receive?
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.
Do DUI Laws Apply for Boat Drivers in Georgia?
The legal alcohol limit in Georgia for a driver of a boat or a car is .08. This is known as the “Jake and Griffin Prince BUI Law.” If you are injured in a DUI, you are eligible for punitive damages, which are above and beyond the typical compensatory damages of property and bodily injury claims.
Punitive damages are designed to punish the offender, especially if the driver is a repeat offender. Any DUI case can be very profitable for the plaintiff. Our staff at John Foy & Associates will research to see if the driver has prior convictions.
What Are Some of the More Common Causes of Boating Injuries and Fatalities?
Both nationally and in Georgia, many water sport 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 the fact that millions of people visit our Georgia lakes each year. And they go to have fun. That 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.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Boating Accidents in Georgia?
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.
How Do You Sue for a Cruise Ship Accident Out of State?
John Foy & Associates has handled claims against big cruise ship lines. Because accidents often happen in international waters, cruise lines have different requirements.
You need local representation that you trust. If necessary, we’ll call in an attorney from another state, but don’t worry–we only work with people we trust and respect. And you will never be double charged for representation.
We’ll do all we can to help as the local attorney. If a suit needs to be filed in another state, we are well connected and will get you someone that we are confident in.
Can You Sue for Someone Else’s Death in a Boating Accident?
Yes, you can. In Georgia, you have the right to sue when another party is at fault for a relative’s death. The appropriate party can recover the “full value of the life of the decedent” and any settlement takes into account the deceased’s age, education, and income abilities. At John Foy & Associates we will do all we can to help the family during this most difficult time.
Has Your Law Firm Handled Many Boat Accident Cases?
We’ve been practicing personal injury law in Atlanta, Ga., for more than 20 years, so you can be certain John Foy & Associates has seen its share of boating accidents. With all the lakes surrounding our city, we’ve represented many clients who have had boating accidents and have secured significant recoveries.
How Much Does a Boat Accident Lawyer in Atlanta Cost?
You don’t need money to start a personal injury claim with an attorney. We only get paid if there is a recovery. We’re here to get you the best medical care and to get your boat repaired or replaced.
The extent of your lawyer’s contingency fees will depend on the difficulty of your case, but you can rest assured that you will still get compensation for your injuries. If you don’t, we don’t get paid.
Talk to a Boat Accident Attorney in Atlanta Today
The Atlanta boat accident lawyers 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
