Boat accidents are often among the most serious because of the lack of security for passengers and the impact of boating collisions. If you believe that someone’s negligence caused one of these accidents, you may be able to recover total compensation in a personal injury claim.

For help from a Florence boat accident lawyer with decades of experience, connect with a talented personal injury attorney from Busald Funk Zevely.

What Are the Common Types and Causes of Boat Accidents?

Many boat accidents occur in Kentucky lakes for various reasons, causing debilitating and fatal injuries in many instances. The nature of these accidents often leads to more extensive injuries, particularly when passengers are unseated and unsecured, with open decks on many of these vessels.

The following are some of the most common kinds of boat accidents in Florence:

  • Passengers falling overboard
  • Swimmers getting run over by a boat
  • Boating collisions involving two or more vessels
  • Collisions with fixed objects, such as docks and underwater objects
  • Grounding abruptly in shallow waters, which could throw passengers
  • Capsizing and sinking, leading to various injuries and drowning in many cases

Multiple causes could be behind these collisions. Some reasons these accidents occur include:

Speeding

Boaters may speed, either intentionally ignoring or failing to acknowledge posted speed limits in the water. Boaters should also have a general knowledge of how fast they are able to travel based on state law. For instance, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, boaters must travel at idle speed when passing another boat with an occupant who is currently fishing.

Improper Lookout and Operator Error

Boaters or designated lookouts must be on the lookout for other boats, swimmers, objects, and other elements that could pose a risk to the boat, its occupants, or others. Inattention could lead to improper lookout, and operators might also be liable for other forms of operator error to cause an accident.

Impaired Boating

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) is a serious offense. Whether under the influence of alcohol or another substance, boaters should not be on the water if they are intoxicated to any extent. Similar to driving under the influence, impaired boating could lead to lapses in judgment and reduced awareness.

Mechanical Failure

Mechanical failure may also cause a boating accident, which could fall under the responsibility of the boat’s owner or a mechanic who failed to properly spot and address a mechanical issue.

An experienced Florence boat accident attorney could identify one or more of these causes and the parties liable for the accident resulting from them.

What Compensation Could You Recover After a Boat Accident?

Following a boat accident, a person may pursue economic and non-economic damages with the help of a boat accident attorney in Florence.

Economic damages include any losses that cause financial harm, such as medical bills, lost income, property damage, or other related costs.

Meanwhile, non-economic damages apply to less tangible losses like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish.

Reach Out to a Florence Boat Accident Attorney If You Were Injured in a Crash

If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a boat accident, speaking with a Florence boat accident lawyer is a critical step to take to increase your chances of recovering total compensation.

Connect with Busald Funk Zevely to discuss your options when it comes to a claim or lawsuit during a free consultation.

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