Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and because we have all this open water, it should come as no surprise that we have more registered boats per 100,000 residents than any other state in the US. It should also come as no surprise that boating accidents are far more common in Minnesota than in other states, so you need to be aware of your compensation options in the event that you are injured on a boat. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at who may be liable in the event of a boating accident, and how you can go about collecting compensation.
Who Is Liable For My Boating Accident
In order to have a valid compensation claim stemming from a boating accident, you need to prove three specific elements. You need to prove that a party owed you a duty of care, that they failed to uphold this duty of care, and that the failure to uphold this duty was the cause of your accident. When you understand those elements, it’s easier to see how a few different parties could be held responsible for your boating accident. If the elements exist, you may be able to collect compensation from any of the following parties:
A Boat Driver – If the driver of your boat or the driver of another boat failed to captain their boat with due care, they were intoxicated or didn’t follow the right-of-way rules, you may be able to go after them for compensation.
A Passenger – If passengers caused issues that contributed to an accident, they could be held liable.
A Bar or Restaurant – If a boat captain was clearly and obviously over-served, you may be able to go after the establishment for knowingly serving an intoxicated individual.
A Manufacturer – If a defective product or malfunctioning equipment contributed to your injuries, you may be able to take the boat manufacturer to court.
How To Collect Compensation After A Boating Accident
If you were injured in a boating accident and believe that you can prove the three elements necessary for a valid claim, your first step should be to contact a personal injury firm like the team at Hey Workers. You will be filing a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company, and they will do everything in their power to limit their liability and reduce any potential payout. Boating accidents oftentimes result in severe injuries or death, so this is no time to try to win compensation on your own.
Instead, protect your interests by placing your faith in a team of professionals who know all of the best ways to build a strong injury claim. We also have extensive experience calculating demand letters and interpreting settlement offers, so we will ensure that you don’t end up settling your case for a fraction of what it’s worth. The insurance company will smell blood in the water if you try to pursue compensation on your own, so don’t let yourself get taken advantage of during the process.
We’ve said this before, but we’ll say it again. It makes financial sense to hire a lawyer to handle your injury claim. Injury lawyers get a percentage of what you earn in an award, meaning the more money they get you, the more money they take home. We have a significant vested interest in getting you the most money possible. You may be able to keep all $20,000 if you negotiate your own settlement, but if a lawyer could help you get $100,000 for your injuries because they understand the worth of your case and how to push back against the insurance company, you will be leaving a lot of money on the table by going it alone. Let us help you maximize your injury claim potential. Not only will it take a lot of stress out of the equation, but odds are you’ll get a much bigger award in the long run.
For more information about boating accident compensation, or to talk to a lawyer about a different type of injury case, reach out to the team at Hey Workers today at (844) 439-9675.
