Prince George’s County Boat Accident Lawyer
Although it might seem an accident over water would be less likely to cause serious harm than one that happens on concrete or asphalt, the opposite is true in many cases. Every year, collisions between maritime vessels cause hundreds of severe injuries to Maryland residents, many of whom end up suffering long-term financial and personal losses.
Boating accidents caused by someone else’s negligence could serve as grounds to retain a personal injury attorney and pursue a claim. If you want the best possible result for your case, seek counsel from a seasoned Prince George’s County boat accident lawyer.
Proving that Another’s Negligence Caused a Boat Accident
To some extent, the duty of care a boater owes people aboard other vessels and in the water around them is the same duty that motor vehicle drivers owe other individuals on roads. In both circumstances, the operator has a legal obligation to follow applicable laws regarding safe travel, keep their complete focus on the area around them, and react reasonably to any hazards they encounter.
Accordingly, just as it would be in a motor vehicle on the road, someone who travels faster than local maritime laws allow, operates a boat while intoxicated, or ignores their surroundings is operating their craft negligently. If injured as a result of this negligent operation, a person may seek restitution for all economic and non-economic repercussions of that incident, including:
- Medical expenses
- Vessel repair and replacement costs
- Lost work income
- Lost future earning capacity
- Lost enjoyment and quality of life
- Physical and psychological pain
It is worth noting that Maryland Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings §5-101 allows a maximum of three years for anyone hurt in an incident to start pursuing civil litigation after a boating crash occurs. Assistance from a dedicated watercraft accident attorney in Prince George’s County could be essential to constructing a solid case within this short filing period.
How Contributory Negligence Could Prevent Recovery
Another part of Maryland civil law that could impact boat accident litigation is the concept of contributory negligence. In most states, an injured plaintiff who bears some percentage of fault for causing or worsening their losses may still pursue litigation against a defendant who is primarily to blame for an incident. A plaintiff’s final damage award would be reduced based on their own degree of fault.
In Maryland, though, courts adhere to an uncommonly harsh pure contributory negligence standard that prohibits all forms of recovery by anyone found even slightly to blame for their accident-related damages. Effectively contesting allegations of comparative fault with an experienced lawyer’s support is critical to recovering compensation after a vessel crash in Prince George’s County.
Consider Working with a Prince George’s County Boat Accident Attorney
Accidents on the water can be dangerous, and the consequences that these incidents have could last for months or years afterward. If you were hurt while boating because someone else acted carelessly, seeking fair financial recovery could be the only way to preserve your future.
Retaining a Prince George’s County boat accident lawyer could be a crucial first step when pursuing the compensation you deserve. Schedule your initial consultation today.
