Little Rock Boat Accident Lawyer
A Little Rock boat accident lawyer may be able to help those who have been injured as a result of a boating accident. According to the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism, thousands of people travel to the lakes and rivers across the state to enjoy a variety of water activities, including boating, canoeing, rafting and kayaking. Although the use of Arkansas’ lakes, rivers and other waterways is one of the most popular forms of outdoor entertainment in the state, there is a risk of injury or even death due to a potential boating accident. Affected individuals and their families may be able to recover compensation with the help of a personal injury attorney.
If you have been injured, or if a loved one has been killed, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a Little Rock boat accident lawyer at the Johnson Firm today. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at 501-777-7777 or email us at info@johnsonfirm.law.
There is no cost to speak with us. If you choose to pursue a claim, you pay no upfront fees or expenses. Our fees are based solely on the recovery made on your behalf. If there is no recovery, you pay nothing.
Recreational Boating Accidents
According to the United States Coast Guard (USCG), there were 4,463 recreational boating accidents that involved 701 deaths, 2,903 injuries and approximately $49 million in property damage in 2016. Compared to the previous year, the number of recreational boating accidents increased by 7.3 percent, the number of fatalities by 12 percent, and the number of injuries by 11.1 percent.
Primary contributing factors of recreational boating accidents in 2016 include:
- Operator inattention
- Operator inexperience
- Improper lookout
- Excessive speed
- Machinery failure
- Alcohol use
- Weather
- Navigation rules violation
- Hazardous waters
- Force of wave/wake
In the United States, alcohol use was the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents in 2016.
Boat Accidents in Arkansas
In Arkansas, there were a total of 47 recreational boating accidents that involved 10 fatalities and 23 injuries. According to the USCG, the total number of boating accidents in Arkansas has decreased each year since 2012.
Boating accidents often occur because operators or passengers underestimate the dangers associated with watercraft or do not fully understand local, state and federal laws. Safe navigation of waterways is everyone’s responsibility, and all boat and personal watercraft operators are equally responsible for taking action to avoid collisions.
In order to prevent collisions, every operator should:
- practice good seamanship
- keep a sharp lookout
- maintain a safe speed and distance
According to Arkansas law, the owner or lessee of a boating vessel is responsible for any injury or damage caused by the negligent operation of a boat or vessel, including situations in which the owner knowingly allows others to operate it.
What Should I Do When a Boat Accident Occurs?
Arkansas state law requires that all reportable accidents be investigated. The following steps should be taken if you are involved in a boating accident in Arkansas:
- Stop the boat or personal watercraft
- Determine if anyone may be injured or in danger as a result of the accident
- Seek medical attention for those who are injured
- Notify immediately the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission or local law enforcement if a person is injured, dies or disappears, or if there is extensive damage to the vessel or other property
If you are involved in a boating accident in Arkansas and have suffered serious injuries, it is important that you contact an experienced Little Rock boat accident lawyer to help guide you through the legal process.
What Happens After You Hire a Boat Accident Lawyer?
If you have been injured, or have lost a loved one, as a result of a recreational boating accident, a boat accident lawyer with Johnson Firm can help guide you through the legal process. Once you have contacted a lawyer, you will be asked about the accident, any related injuries, as well as any additional information.
You are not obligated in any way to hire an attorney. However, if you and an attorney agree to representation, you will be asked to sign a fee agreement that explains the terms and conditions of the representation as well as the fee to be charged in the event of a recovery on your behalf.
In some cases, an attorney may be able to settle a claim without having to go to trial. If a case cannot be settled, filing a lawsuit on your behalf may be necessary. In this instance, you may need to provide additional information and testimony in a deposition.
Should your case go to trial, your attorney will appear with you in court to represent you in front of the judge or jury. While the amount of compensation you recover depends on the facts of the case, it is important to remember that compensation is never guaranteed and the results of another bicycle accident lawsuit may not indicate the outcome of a similar case.
How a Little Rock Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help
When negligence results in injury, an injured party suffers loss in various ways. The law allows an injured party to pursue damages to recover those losses. Common types of damages recoverable in a personal injury case include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of ability to earn
- Scarring and disfigurement
The families of those who have died may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
If the actions causing injury are malicious or so reckless that intent to harm can be inferred, the responsible party can be liable for punitive damages to punish wrongful conduct and deter similar conduct in the future.
Victims of negligence and their families are encouraged to seek the counsel of a Little Rock boat accident lawyer to learn more about their rights and remedies.
