Have you been hurt in a boating accident near Destin, Florida? If so, you might be facing significant treatment for your injuries and medical bills that are rapidly piling up. If your injuries prevent you from working, it’s even worse. Not only are those medical bills looking uglier by the moment, but you’re probably worried about how to keep your regular bills paid, too. Seek help from a Destin boat accident lawyer from The Bruner Law Firm.
If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence in a Florida boating accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. You need legal help. At The Bruner Law Firm, we know this can be a very challenging time, but as a Destin boating accident lawyer, we have experience with this type of personal injury case. We can bring our quarter of a century of experience in personal injury law to your case, and we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve with the expertise of a Destin personal injury lawyer.
Contact The Bruner Law Firm today at (850) 243-2222 for a free case evaluation and speak with a boat accident attorney in Destin to learn more about your options.
Common Causes of Destin, FL, Boating Accidents
Boating accidents are common in Florida for a simple reason: There are more recreational boats in our state than in any other. Because boating is a popular recreational activity in Florida, the state has a relatively high rate of boating wrecks and collisions.
That’s not to say these incidents are unavoidable. Many boating crashes are the result of the actions or carelessness of boat operators. They can cause wrecks by:
- Operating boats while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Operating boats in areas where they are not permitted
- Not using proper lighting in low-light conditions
- Disobeying speed limits
- Overloading boats with guests, equipment, or both
- Not having necessary safety equipment on board
- However, a boat’s operator isn’t always the party responsible for a wreck. For example, a boating accident might result from mechanical failure. In these circumstances, the responsible party might be a designer or manufacturer who overlooked a defect.
Boating Accident Injuries Resulting from Boating Accidents
Boating accident injuries may cause various potential injuries. Common examples include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Fractures
- Drowning
- Electrocution
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation
- Lacerations
You may count yourself lucky if you walk away from a boat wreck without any signs of injury. However, lack of symptoms doesn’t always mean you’re unharmed. Always see a doctor after a boating accident to confirm you don’t need treatment. Keep a copy of your medical records and bills.
Compensation Available After a Destin Boat Wreck
Your losses after a boating accident injury may be compensated through a personal injury claim and may fall into one of these two categories:
- Economic losses
- Non-economic losses
A loss qualifies as economic if it has a specific dollar value attached. Common examples of economic losses include medical bills and lost wages.
Economic losses may also consist of losses a victim will sustain or incur in the future. For example, maybe you need ongoing medical care for your injuries. Perhaps your injuries have permanently limited your earning potential. It may be necessary to calculate the value of such future losses when negotiating a settlement.
You might also have to assign dollar values to non-economic losses. A non-economic loss is an intangible, subjective loss that has no specific dollar value. Examples of non-economic losses include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Even though non-economic losses don’t come with a price tag, an experienced boating injury lawyer has the skills to arrive at an accurate assessment of their value.
Seeking Compensation After a Boating Crash in Florida
If someone else caused the wreck that harmed you, you can seek the compensation you deserve by filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Pursuing compensation typically involves these steps:
- Determining the cause of the wreck – You need to know who is liable before you can file an insurance claim. Determining liability requires figuring out how the wreck happened through an investigation.
- Gathering evidence – Your attorney will gather all available evidence to support your claim, including any evidence that proves that the insured party was at fault.
- Documenting losses – Your claim will require documentation to demonstrate the extent of your losses to prove to the insurance company why you deserve the compensation you’re seeking.
- Negotiating – Insurance companies are businesses. An insurance adjuster might try to convince you to accept an unreasonably low settlement. Don’t accept any offer until your attorney has reviewed it. Your attorney is your best safeguard to protect you from accepting an insufficient settlement amount. They can negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
Negotiating an out-of-court settlement is often the best course of action for many reasons. Going to court may be costly, and there’s no guarantee a jury will find in your favor and award damages. However, filing a lawsuit and going to court might be necessary if the insurance company refuses to offer what you deserve. Working with an experienced boating accident attorney can significantly improve your chances of securing the compensation you need by effectively demonstrating the damages and losses incurred.
The Deadline for Filing a Florida Boat Accident Lawsuit
How much time you have to file a boat accident lawsuit in Florida can depend on such factors as where the accident occurred. If the accident occurred within state waters, you have two years from the time of the wreck to file a lawsuit. If the wreck occurred in waters where maritime or admiralty law applies, you typically have three years to file a lawsuit. You won’t be able to file a lawsuit to pursue damages if you miss the filing deadline.
How Can a Boat Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Personal injury lawyers can ease your burdens after a boating wreck. Your lawyer can:
- Review your case and explain your legal options
- Investigate, identify the at-fault party, and gather evidence of their liability
- Gather documentation of your losses (such as medical bills, pay stubs, etc.)
- Calculate the potential value of your claim
- Handle all claim paperwork and correspondence
- Submit a strong claim with supporting evidence by the insurance company’s deadlines
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Meet any legal and procedural deadlines and requirements
- Represent you in court if necessary
Contact a Boat Accident Lawyer Serving Destin
No one can change the past. However, at The Bruner Law Firm, Destin personal injury lawyers, including a Destin boat accident attorney, can provide for your current and future needs. Get started today by contacting us online or calling us at (850) 243-2222 for a free case review. Our law firm can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
