San Diego Boat Accident Lawyer

California has more registered boat owners than any other state in the country, and it is no wonder why. With the Pacific Ocean and the San Diego Bay quite literally at our feet, many people in the Golden State like to head out for a fun day on the water. Unfortunately, these trips sometimes end with more than just a suntan and good memories. A day boating sometimes results in an accident, which can cause serious injury or even death. When an accident on the water is caused by a negligent boat operator, or any other act of negligence, injured individuals can file a claim against the at-fault party. Boat accident claims are extremely complex, though. If you have been hurt, it is important to speak to a San Diego boat accident lawyer that will know the challenges these claims present, and how to overcome them.

Boating is an activity that can be done year-round in San Diego, so it is no surprise that it has a high rate of boating accidents. These crashes have many common causes, and they include:

• Impaired boating accidents: Being on the water is a lot of fun, and it may be tempting to have a drink under the sun. It is important to resist the temptation, as it is illegal for boat operators to reach any level of intoxication while operating a boat.
• Speeding: Speeding is just as likely to cause a crash on the water as it is on the roads. Speeding makes a boat much more difficult to control, and it can also increase the chance of serious injury or death during a crash.
• Defective equipment: Defective boat parts cause accidents more often than people think, and accident victims cannot always identify when they do. A San Diego boat accident attorney will review blueprints and schematics, and speak with experts to determine when defective equipment caused a crash.
• Propeller accidents: Propeller accidents often occur when there are swimmers in the water and a negligent boat operator gets too close to them.

If you have been in a boat accident caused by any of the above causes, you may have a valid legal claim.

If you have been hurt in a boat accident, it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. After any accident, important evidence can go missing over time, but this is especially true after a boat accident, where important evidence can get washed away in the moments following a crash. A lawyer will get to work right away to conduct an investigation and preserve that important evidence so your claim is as strong as possible.

You also only have a certain amount of time to file your claim. That timeframe is known as the statute of limitations and the law that governs yours will depend on the facts of your case. Under state law, you have only two years to file your claim, while under federal maritime law, you have three years from the date of the crash to file.

If you have been injured in an accident on the water, our San Diego boat accident lawyer at Brod Law Firm has the necessary experience to help with your case. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation with our skilled attorney.