When Should You Talk to a Lawyer After a Boat Accident?
By: Laborde Earles Law Firm
Tags: Lawyers, Attorney, Boat Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a boating accident, familiarizing yourself with your rights and options is essential. Victims of accidents involving motorized boats or watercraft such as jet skis must know when they should contact a personal injury attorney after a boat accident. The initial idea of speaking to an attorney can be intimidating, so let’s see what you should consider before calling one. In this article, we’ll look at some reasons you should contact a lawyer after a boating accident and what to expect from the legal process.

1. You Were Injured

The obvious reason to call an attorney after a boat accident is if you suffered pain, injury, or disability. Any of these symptoms require evaluation by a medical professional. They will also be needed for court later on in the process.

2. You Think A Liable Party Is Responsible For Your Injury

If someone else caused your injuries through boating negligence, you must contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Presenting evidence of the defendant’s fault will be essential for building your case against them. Law enforcement officers are usually tasked with writing reports about accidents resulting from negligent behavior on boats, making their testimony important during trial proceedings. Once you can identify the liable party, dealing with insurance companies and filing a lawsuit becomes part of the next steps.

3. You Know Who The Defendant Is

When you know who is to blame for your injuries, it’s time to identify them and their insurance coverage. This can be done independently or by hiring a lawyer whose job will be to ensure that all information regarding the defendant and their insurance coverage is available to you. However, lawyers can sometimes do this legwork for you during free consultations, depending on the circumstances and other factors.

4. You Need Legal Assistance To Get Compensation For Your Injuries And Damages

Most people injured in boating accidents won’t need long-term legal representation, such as court procedures and negotiations with insurance companies (although your lawyer will need to be there if your case is taken to court). However, if you don’t know how to get compensation for your injuries or damages because the insurance company isn’t open to your demands, a boating accident attorney may help.

5. You Need Help Preparing For Trial Proceedings And Negotiations With Insurance Companies

If negotiations with the defendant’s insurance company end up in trial and if this is something that you can’t deal with on your own because of lack of knowledge and experience about such proceedings, then hiring a personal injury attorney becomes necessary. Your attorney will also be able to counsel and guide you through any legal process associated with being compensated for pain and suffering as well as medical bills from a defective product or boat design/maintenance issue.

6. You Need Legal Assistance Getting Your Medical Expenses Covered By Insurance Companies

Personal injury lawyers often will secure financial help for their client’s medical bills. Even if you don’t think you need legal assistance with your medical expenses, it’s always better to ask. With the right attorney on your side, you’re likely to get more reimbursement for expenses related to treatment and medication resulting from the accident. Personal injury lawyers are also skilled at representing people in court who need compensation for lost wages or disability that results from boating accidents.

7. You Were Threatened Or Harassed After The Accident

If someone threatened or harassed you after the boat accident, they must be held accountable for their actions. This is another instance in which legal help would be necessary.

8. Unclear Circumstances Are Surrounding The Accident

If any unclear circumstances surround the boat accident, it’s best to contact a lawyer. This may include seeking legal assistance if you were unable to take pictures of the scene, did not get the names and contact information of witnesses, or have any other evidence that could be helpful later on. A lawyer will also advise you on whether or not you should speak with insurance companies and what kind of statement you should or shouldn’t make.

9. You’re Worried About How To Handle All Of The Paperwork Alone

Even if you don’t think your case is serious, it’s important to keep all the paperwork. This includes medical records, bills, and other documents that will help your injury attorney build a case. Even if you’re not sure what you should do with these documents, it’s best to hand them over to a skilled attorney — they’ll know how to handle everything from start to finish.

10. You Want To Make Sure All Evidence Is Preserved And Not Lost

Personal injury attorneys are experienced in securing evidence that could be crucial for your case during the discovery phase. It may include preserving physical evidence such as skid marks on the boat surface or taking pictures of injuries. Personal injury lawyers also have lots of experience interviewing witnesses, so they can testify on your behalf in court if necessary.

11. You’re Ready To Take Your Case To Court

If you want to take your case to court, hiring a personal injury attorney is probably the best way to go. The last thing you want is your case to get thrown out because of some minor mistake that could have been prevented by an experienced lawyer who knows how these proceedings work. Just keep in mind that if you decide this route without legal support, it may be up to you to secure evidence and testimony from witnesses — which can become quite difficult without professional help.

12. You’ve Been Injured And Can’t Work

If you’ve been injured in a boat accident and can’t work, hiring a personal injury lawyer is the best way to ensure that you receive the financial support you need. This includes getting reimbursed for lost wages and securing funds for disability. Your attorney will also be able to help you if you need to take legal action against the person or company responsible for your injuries.

13. The Other Person Involved In The Accident Has A Lawyer

If the other person involved in the boat accident has a lawyer, it’s important to have one too. This is because the other side will likely try to negotiate a settlement out of court — something that may not be in your best interest. If you hire a lawyer, they can negotiate an agreement on your behalf that’s more likely to favor you.

14. You Want To Make Sure That The Other Party Doesn’t Try To Defraud Your Insurance Company

It’s not uncommon for people to try and defraud insurance companies by claiming more damages than they sustained in boat accidents. This is another reason why it’s important to have legal support — so something like this doesn’t occur during the settlement process. A lawyer will tell whether or not the other party is being truthful about their condition or trying to take advantage of the system.

Remember, these are not the only reasons to contact an attorney after a boating accident. The list provided is merely a guideline to help you decide whether or not you should seek legal assistance. If any other problems or concerns arise following your accident, it would be in your best interest to consult a maritime injury lawyer in Lafayette.