Minnesotans love their boats, of course. There’s nothing much better than spending a beautiful day on the lake. Unfortunately, a boating accident can lead to severe injuries or worse. If that happens to you due to the negligence of someone else, you’ll need the help of an experienced attorney in order to have the best possible chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve.
At Sand Law, our attorneys are experts in all facets of personal injury law, including injuries suffered in boating accidents. Whether yours occurred due to a drunk or distracted boat operator, an inexperienced operator, or some other reason, we’ll be here to help.
Schedule a free consultation by contacting us online or calling 651-291-7263. You may be still wondering whether or not you’ll need legal representation. If so, here are five reasons why you should seriously consider hiring an attorney ASAP.
1. The Owner of the Boat Doesn’t Have Insurance
As popular as boating is in Minnesota, you might be surprised to learn that insurance isn’t required. It’s obviously recommended, but boaters who don’t have coverage aren’t violating state law.
If you’re involved in an accident involving an uninsured boater, that, of course, is going to make trying to obtain compensation very complicated. This is just one of the many reasons why you’ll need an experienced attorney on your side. So that you have a legal advocate to fight to make sure your rights are protected.
2. The Insurance Company Offered a Low Settlement
You would think that insurance companies would be more than willing to help people who pay for coverage get the money they need to pay medical bills and other expenses after they’re hurt. As you are probably far too aware, that’s often not the case at all. Insurance companies, like other businesses, prize making a profit over everything else. They’ll do all they can to either pay as little as possible, or not pay anything whatsoever.
In many instances, people injured by negligent boaters will typically file an insurance claim, only to be met with serious resistance. The insurer may try to settle for an amount that won’t come close to paying for your injury-related expenses, such as medical treatment, lost wages and others.
If you’ve been hurt in a boating accident, you should never assume an insurance company will work in your best interests. In fact, you should assume the opposite. When you hire an attorney, that will send a clear message to an insurer that you’re serious about obtaining the compensation you have coming to you.
3. There Was Negligence Involved
Accidents that result in severe injury or death often occur due to someone’s negligence. Boating mishaps are no exception. If a boat operator wasn’t following safety rules, there is a very good chance you’ll need to hire an attorney if you were hurt as a result.
Negligent operation of a boat could be due to distractions, much like when the driver of a car causes an accident due to distracted driving. The operator, for instance, could have been talking on a smartphone, or sending a text. They might have been talking to someone else. Regardless of the reason, they were paying attention to something else rather than focusing on operating the boat as safely as possible.
In order to win your case, however, you’ll have to prove that negligence. Your best chance to do that will be to hire an attorney who knows how to conduct an investigation. This investigation can produce that evidence, and make your case as strong as possible.
4. The Accident Was Caused by a Poorly Maintained Boat
The owner of a boat must be responsible enough to regularly check the vessel to make sure it’s in proper operating shape. They have to take it in for maintenance, and make sure it has plenty of lubrication. If a boat malfunctions due to a lack of maintenance, and you are hurt as a result, you’ll need an attorney to pursue compensation on your behalf.
There are also instances where the operator did everything they should and the boat still caused an accident due to a part that was negligently manufactured. In this instance, you would be suing the manufacturer. Again, you’ll need a skilled attorney to have the best possible chance of winning your case.
5. Your Injuries Are Severe
If an accident is minor, and you’re only slightly hurt and don’t even need medical attention, then you probably won’t need legal help. If, on the other hand, you suffered a serious, debilitating injury, you’ll definitely need an attorney. Boating accidents can lead to back and neck injuries, such as herniated discs, torn ligaments, and even worse. When the neck is suddenly twisted, that can result in whiplash.
There are even incidents where the electrical system of a boat will malfunction due to a defect or a collision. When this occurs, someone could be burned or electrocuted. A boating accident attorney could be a huge help in proving that negligence was the cause.
Hire a Boat Accident Attorney ASAP
So now that you know reasons why you need an experienced boating attorney, the next thing to consider is the timing. In the vast majority of instances, you’ll need to hire an attorney as soon as you possibly can. All personal injury cases can be complicated – boating accidents can be even more complex.
There are different parties that could be at fault for the injury you’ve suffered. The operator could be to blame. But you could also pursue action against a manufacturer responsible for producing a defective part.
Also, evidence will need to be gathered in order to prove your case – as quickly as possible.
At Sand Law, we have years of experience representing people who have suffered injuries in boating accidents. Our proven process has helped us achieve a long track record of success in these kinds of cases. To learn how we may be able to help you, please get in touch with us immediately. You can give us a call at 651-291-7263 for a free consultation, or you can use our online form.