For many people, nothing beats spending time with friends and family boating and enjoying other watercraft. However, it is not uncommon for an enjoyable day in the sun to quickly turn tragic if an individual behaves recklessly.
When a boat accident leads to severe injuries and damages, it can upset every aspect of your life. Financial losses, pain and suffering, the loss of independence, the loss of employment could all happen within what seems like a blink of an eye. If the careless or reckless behavior of a watercraft owner or captain led to your injuries, contact our Covington boat accident lawyer today to go over the details of the accident. Personal injury attorneys at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy can be your advocates throughout the claim process.
Boat Accident Causes
A boat accident may occur for many reasons. One careless or reckless action could lead to a severe or even deadly watercraft wreck within seconds.
Common causes for boating accidents include:
- Hazardous waters such as strong waves and wakes
- Dangerous weather
- Inexperienced boat operators
- Navigation rule violations
- Excessive speed or reckless boat operation
- Boat operator and passengers under the influence of drugs and alcohol
Many catastrophic injuries happen because the individual comes in contact with the watercraft’s spinning propellers. Boat captains also often have difficulty controlling and steering watercraft after a collision occurs. Following an accident, the injured party should contact our
skillful attorneys in Covington to discuss the details of the watercraft collision and the harm they received.
Statute of Limitations in Covington
Kentucky Revised Statutes § 413.140 states that the injured party in a boat accident case has up to one year to file a personal injury case with the civil court. The exception to this is if the injured party is under the age of 19. In that circumstance, the one-year deadline would begin on their 19th birthday. If the plaintiff does not file the legal action within the statute’s guidelines, the court could dismiss the case, potentially losing the injured party their right to pursue compensation for their damages. Our qualified lawyers can ensure you file the essential documents pertaining to your boat accident case with the court within the strict guidelines set by the state.
Meet with a Skilled Boat Accident Attorney in Covington Today
After a boat accident causes a severe injury, you will have the burden of proof to demonstrate that the negligent party was the direct cause of your accident and injuries.
Boat owners and operators have the legal responsibility of care to ensure the passengers on their boats are safe. This duty includes ensuring the captain is sober and well-trained to operate the watercraft. When boat operators fail to do this, a civil court could hold them responsible for damages they caused to their passengers or the passengers or affected watercraft. If the negligence of a boat operator led to your injuries,
contact an experienced Covington boat accident lawyer at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy right away to discuss your claim.
