Hundreds of people lose their lives or sustain injuries every year due to boating accidents. According to Statista, last year in the U.S. boating accidents accounted for more than 650 deaths. Any one of the following parties can be responsible for a boating accident:
- Boat Operator
- Owner
- Manufacturer
- Rental Company
- Passenger
But, there are a few cases where, due to unforeseen circumstances, it can be challenging to determine liability. Let’s understand how each party can be responsible for the accident and what it means for a passenger on the boat.
Parties That Might Be Responsible for Boating Accidents
Many critical factors can contribute to a boating accident, such as operator negligence, harsh weather conditions, malfunctioning equipment, etc. Victims who sustain injuries in a boating accident can file claims against the responsible parties.
But finding the party responsible for the boating accident can be difficult since water can ruin traces of evidence. Nevertheless, the parties that can be liable for the boating accident include:
The Operator of the Boat
The person operating the boat might not take necessary safety measures to keep the passengers safe. Therefore, they could be held responsible for their careless behavior and would be liable to pay for all the damages.
The operator might be intoxicated, driving recklessly, or disregard boating laws, leading up to the accident. If any passenger behaves recklessly, which could cause an accident, then it is the operator’s responsibility to stop them. Failure to do so will make the operator liable for the accident.
Owner of the Boat
The owner can also be responsible for the accident if they don’t have proper safety measures to keep the passengers on the boat safe. They can be responsible if they deliberately give the boat to an inexperienced operator.
The Passengers of the Boat
If any passenger’s irresponsible or reckless action becomes the cause of the accident, they will be liable for the damages. Any passenger’s action that prevented the operator from carrying out their duties will also make them responsible for the accident.
Manufacturer
In some instances, the boat manufacturer can also be responsible for the accident. A manufacturing fault can be the reason behind the boating accident. Therefore, the responsibility would fall on the boat manufacturer.
Rental Company
Lastly, the rental company can also be liable to pay for the damages and injuries. There can be a slight maintenance issue that the rental company didn’t check and fix. So, if the accident was the result of a maintenance issue, then the rental company would be responsible for it.
Seek Assistance from an Experienced Boating Accident Attorney
If you find yourself in a boating accident where you weren’t the captain, it is best to discuss your case with a reputable attorney.. Vanessa E. Dream, Esq. and her legal team of professionals at Dream Team Law can go over all of the essentials and help you get the compensation you deserve. Vanessa E. Dream, Esq. is an experienced, reliable attorney with a proven track record of success. She fought for her country, and she will fight for you. Contact her at 1-855-255-TEAM.
