Beverly Hills Boating Accident Lawyer

Beverly Hills Boating Accident Attorney

The coastline of California is the fifth largest in the country, spanning 840 miles; thus, there is a lot of activity going on off the coast near Beverly Hills. In fact, boating-related businesses and recreational activities contribute more than $13 billion to the state’s economy, and associated industries, consequently, create more than 40,000 jobs. It’s no surprise that, when boating accidents occur, individuals are sometimes injured from the negligence or carelessness of another boater. In this case, anyone involved in a boating accident in which they were injured by another boater’s negligence should speak with an experienced boat accident attorney.

The Beverly Hills boating accident law firm of Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, is dedicated to finding justice for our clients who have been injured due to the fault of another’s negligence on the waters. We advocate for our clients using our team-based approach to litigation, and our knowledge and experience yield results. We have successfully obtained millions of dollars in personal injury claims, and our success continues.

Boating Accidents

In 2022, there were over 4,000 U.S. boating accidents counted by the Coast Guard, totaling $63 million in property damage. As a result, 636 people died, and 2,222 people were injured. What makes these numbers even more shocking are the top five contributing factors in these accidents, which are listed below, followed by other common causes of boating accidents.

• Inattention of the operator
• Inexperience of the operator
• Improper lookout
• Excessive speed
• Machinery failure
• Consumption of alcohol
• Reckless behavior
• Bad weather

This means that many of these accidents, injuries, and deaths could have been avoided. In many cases, when a boater causes an accident in which injuries are incurred, the injured party has the right to file a personal injury claim against the neglectful boater. If you or a loved one was injured due to the fault of a boater, a personal injury lawyer can help you determine if your accident constitutes an injury claim.

Advantages of Hiring a Boat Accident Attorney

Having a Beverly Hills personal injury attorney representing you in your boat accident injury claim can make a big difference in the overall outcome of your case. There are many advantages to hiring an attorney to help you with your claim. Below are some of the most beneficial.

• Help explain the laws as they relate to your case and your injury.
• Gather evidence to establish causation, liability, and the full scope of damages.
• Estimate a fair settlement amount, and better negotiate with insurance adjusters to get a settlement as close to that amount as possible.
• Facilitate communication with the liable party and the insurance company, as well as law enforcement officers, eyewitnesses, and other parties who are involved in your case.
• A well-established boating attorney can connect you with medical professionals with sufficient credentials to make a statement or testify on your behalf.
• Coordinate expert witness testimonies as necessary.
• Litigate if a settlement is not reached.

Common Boating Accident Injuries

Getting hurt while boating can result in a multitude of injuries, some of which may not exhibit physical and/or outward symptoms. It is important that anyone who has been injured while boating sees a medical professional to receive a proper and documented diagnosis as well as appropriate treatment for their injuries. Some of the most common injuries associated with boating accidents and personal injury claims related to boating incidents are below.

• Concussions
• Drownings
• Fractures
• Hypothermia
• Lacerations
• Spinal injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

Responsibilities of Boaters

State law dictates that boaters off the coast of California adhere to certain regulations to keep the waterways safe. When boaters break these rules of the waterway and cause an accident, they can be held liable for injuries and property damage that occurs as a result of a boater’s negligence or carelessness. Many personal injury claims are a result of boaters breaking these laws. Some examples of these laws include:

• Overtaking – This occurs when two motorboats on the waterway are heading in the same direction and one boater wishes to pass the other boater. When passing, there is a certain horn or whistle alert that the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) requires boaters to use in this specific situation. Consequently, there are other alerts and sounds required for other boating actions. When boaters don’t communicate properly with other boaters, the risk of an accident occurring increases.
• Narrow Channel Sharing – Oftentimes, boats must share narrow channels of waterways and should never impede other boats’ safe passage. To safely share the channel way, boaters should keep to the right and note that anchor lights in these areas are different than they are in open water docking areas. When boaters do not exhibit caution in these areas, or are not familiar with the regulatory measures that keep waterborne traffic safe, accidents are more likely to occur.
• Limited Visibility – If there is limited visibility on the water due to fog, rain, or some other obstruction, and a boater cannot see in front of their vessel, a long warning horn of at least six seconds signals to other boaters that visibility is low and that other boat operators may not see them. When boaters hear this sound, they are supposed to communicate back to the boat with their own long-press horn signal. By communicating back and forth in this manner until they are out of danger of potential collision, they can successfully pass by each other and avoid an accident.

A personal injury lawyer who is experienced in these types of accident claims can determine if you have a case following an injury that you received due to the carelessness of another boater.

Establishing Liability

In many cases, it is difficult to establish liability in boating accidents because there are fewer witnesses and fewer opportunities to recover evidence of the causation of an accident. Nevertheless, an experienced and knowledgeable boating accident attorney is skilled in this area and can use their knowledge base from previous cases, and contacts from their network of professionals, to gather enough evidence to validate the liability of the other boater.

If a boater causes an accident, someone gets injured, and they were not in compliance with state boater card requirements, this can be very useful in establishing liability for the accident. Beginning in 2025, all boaters will be required to carry this card. Until then, a graduated schedule of ages requiring a boater’s card is in effect. Additionally, any other violation of waterway laws, such as DUI, other state laws, federal laws, or federal maritime laws, can also be very helpful in obtaining a favorable outcome in a personal injury claim involving an at-fault boat operator.

FAQs About Beverly Hills, CA Boating Accident Laws

What Is the First Thing That You Should Do After a Boating Accident?

The first thing that anyone should do following a boating accident is to check if anyone is injured and administer care if possible. Provide your name and address to the other boaters as well as your vessel registration number. If a death occurs or an individual disappears, the accident should be reported immediately.

What Is the Most Common Type of Boating Accident?

The most common boating accidents that occur in California waters are head-on collisions. There is more than twice the amount of head-on collision boating accidents than the second most frequent cause of boating accidents, which is sinking accidents. The most common type of vessel involved in accidents is an open motorboat, which is more than double the amount for the second most common vessel, a cabin motorboat.

What Is the Most Common Cause of Fatal Boating Accidents?

The most common cause of fatal boating accidents off the coast of California are incidents in which individuals fall overboard. This applies to both boat operators and passengers. This type of fatality occurs often in fishing vessels, but in many cases, these fatalities are the result of alcohol. Even when the boating operator is sober, anyone on board who is drinking alcohol is more likely to fall overboard. It is not advised that anyone drink alcohol on board a vessel, but if they absolutely must drink alcohol, they should always wear a life jacket.

Do You Have to Report Boating Accidents in California?

In California, you only have to report a boating accident to the DBW if:

• The accident causes someone’s death.
• The accident causes the disappearance of someone.
• There is an injury that requires medical attention outside of simple first aid.

Furthermore, you must report any boating accident if there’s more than $500 in damage that was done to a boat.

Finding the Right Beverly Hills Boat Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a boating accident due to the negligence of another boater, you shouldn’t hire just any personal injury lawyer. Rather, you need an attorney who is experienced in boating accident claims specifically. Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, has recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and we can help you file your claim, arrange a settlement, and litigate on your behalf if necessary. Contact Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, today to discuss your case with one of our reputable and reliable legal team members.