Connecticut offers many boating opportunities for people on lakes, rivers, and the Long Island Sound. The state has almost 100,000 registered recreational motorized vehicles, plus thousands more vehicles registered in other states and non-motorized vehicles that do not require registration. No wonder there are so many boating accidents in Connecticut. While many of these accidents are minor, others result in significant injuries. People who are ejected from the boat and hit the water at high speeds can have as much force as hitting concrete. Plus, the water itself creates an additional hazard, with many accident victims at risk of drowning, hypothermia, or other related injuries.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a boating accident, you may have a personal injury case against the person who caused the accident. Determining whether you have a valid claim and potentially liable parties often requires legal help. A Connecticut boat accident lawyer at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, can review the facts of your accident, determine whether you have a claim, and advise you on your next steps.
While boating accidents can involve significant force, their location on the water means that the most significant risk in an accident is drowning. People are at a higher risk if they are not wearing life jackets. In addition to drowning, people are also at risk of:
The nature and type of injury determine the compensation available to victims. People may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages replace financial losses that result from an injury. They include:
Non-economic damages compensate for subjective losses and include emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium.
A well-practiced boat accident lawyer in Connecticut can explain all potential avenues of recovery.
While waterways do not have clearly marked traffic lanes or signals, some rules govern traffic on the water. Boaters need to understand things like right-of-way, yielding, and speed in low-wake zones. In addition, boating while intoxicated is prohibited. However, even cautious boaters may be subject to accidents. Active water—which may have waves, currents, and other motions—can impair visibility and make it more challenging to control a boat’s location.
While some boat crashes are unavoidable, most are due to negligence. Other boat operators may be negligent. In addition, defects in the boats, failure to maintain them, or other equipment issues can contribute to accidents. Since many vessels are rentals operated by people other than the ones responsible for their maintenance, there may be multi-party liability following a boat wreck.
When there are multiple potential defendants, a skilled Connecticut boat accident attorney can help you determine which claims to pursue. At D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, we understand that not every claim is worthwhile. Instead of taking a scattershot approach, we focus on the claims most likely to result in money in your pocket.
Suppose you or a loved one have been injured in a boating accident. In that case, you may wonder about your potential to recover from those injuries. Connecticut does not require boaters to carry liability insurance, which can make it more difficult for you to get compensation after a collision. However, many boat owners and operators carry liability insurance. Even those who do not have insurance may have sufficient financial resources to pay for your injuries.
One of the roles of a Connecticut boat accident lawyer is to help you decide what avenues of compensation you should pursue. During a free, no-obligation consultation, an attorney at our firm can help assess fault, identify liable parties, and examine their ability to pay damages. Call now to schedule yours.
