Boating and Jet Ski Accident Attorneys in Mobile

Fight for Justice with a Maritime Lawyer in Alabama

When you board a ship, jet ski, or boat, you expect that everything is in good working order and that the operator and crew are competent and knowledgeable. Unfortunately, far too often operator error, carelessness, or defective or unsafe products and machinery aboard a watercraft can result in serious and sometimes fatal accidents. This can include everything from minor fires to explosions, collisions, and even the sinking or grounding of the vessel.

Since 1958, Cunningham Bounds has helped countless individuals pursue compensation. Over the years, we have become known as a top personal injury firm in Mobile, Alabama, due to our commitment to excellence and our track record of success. We have obtained billions in verdicts and settlements.

Contact Cunningham Bounds today to schedule a free consultation with our boating and Jet Ski accident lawyers.

Common Causes of Boating and Jet Ski Accidents

Many people incorrectly believe that if they board a ship or boat, they are responsible for any associated risk. This is not always true. Sometimes the operator, boat owner, manufacturer, maintenance provider, or crew are responsible.

Sadly, many of the boating accidents that lead to severe injuries or wrongful death could have been avoided. In addition to physical injuries ranging from hypothermia to broken bones to drowning, victims also suffer significant emotional loss, economic loss, and diminished quality of life. To help you recover, our firm will investigate the cause of the accident and hold any negligent parties responsible for their reckless actions.

Many accidents result from the following:

• Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol
• Improperly trained operators
• Recklessness
• Lack of life jackets
• Faulty equipment

Who Is Liable for My Boating Accident Injuries?

After a boating or Jet Ski accident, injuries and deaths can also occur as a result of defective or unsafe products and machinery, such as:

• Defective steering controls
• Engines
• Propellers
• Fuel tanks
• Wires
• Safety equipment

Maritime law is complex and differs greatly from that of land-based law. That means there may be many different parties involved in your boating accident claim – and depending on the location of your crash, there may be many different applicable laws at play in your case.

If you have been injured in a boat accident and want to understand your legal rights, talk to us. At Cunningham Bounds, our Mobile boating accident lawyers have an in-depth understanding of the ship and boat safety laws and nautical rules. We can help you claim the compensation to which you are entitled.

5 Steps To Take After A Boating Accident

Being out on the water is one of the best ways to enjoy summer. However, boating also comes with risks. Even when you take every safety precaution possible, you may still be in an accident due to factors outside your control. If you are involved in an unexpected boating accident, here’s what you should do.

Check for Injuries

The first step you need to take after an accident is to check yourself and other passengers for any injuries. Severe injuries will require immediate medical attention. However, it is also important to note that some injuries may not immediately be noticeable. Additionally, adrenaline rushing through the body after an accident tends to mask injury pain. In this case, you may not feel hurt but have a severe injury.

Even if you don’t feel hurt or see any physical injury, don’t make any definitive statements that you aren’t injured. If you do discover injuries in the next few days and choose to file a personal injury claim, the fact that you unknowingly said you weren’t injured at the scene can hurt your case.

Call For Help

The next thing you should do after an accident is call for help to prevent further damage or injury. You may call the local police, the Coast Guard, or 911 for medical attention or even flag down another boat on the water.

Collect Evidence

In all of the chaos after an accident, you may be tempted to skip this step and rely on your memory and passenger statements. However, collecting evidence is crucial to prove liability and damages.

When possible, take pictures of:

• Damage to your boat and the other driver’s boat
• The other driver’s contact and insurance information
• The scene of the accident from different angles
• Injuries
• Anything you believe may have caused the accident (beer cans on the other boat)
• Safety devices onboard

You and the other driver may report conflicting information about the accident; having photographic evidence can clear up confusion and help tell the true story of what happened.

File an Accident Report

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you are required by law to file a report.

You must file a marine police report if:

• A person is killed
• A person disappears from the boat
• A person is injured for more than 72 hours
• The accident resulted in over $2,000 of property damage

You have ten days after the incident to submit a report.

Contact an Attorney

Working with a personal injury attorney can help ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to after an accident. Insurance companies know that you want the settlement process over quickly and will offer you less than you deserve, hoping you will take it without further negotiation. When you work with an attorney, they can handle communication with the insurance companies and guide you on a fair settlement.

Call (251) 299-0101 today. We are available and ready to help you explore your legal options.