An Overview of Boat Accidents and Injuries in San Francisco

Boat Accidents and Injuries - An Overview

According to the United States Coast Guard, in the past decade, there has been an increase in registered boats and personal watercraft (PWC) in the United States. In particular, the use of personal watercraft, such as Jet-Skis and other brands, has exploded since the 1990s. Not surprisingly, the United States Coast Guard also reports that each year there has been an increase in boating accidents that have resulted in serious injuries and sometimes death. If you have been injured on a boat, while boating or while engaged in other water sport activities, contact an attorney in your area to learn more about your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Federal Maritime Law or State Law

Generally, the legal issues associated with boating injuries are similar to other personal injury claims issues such as questions related to negligence, causation and damages. But before those questions can be answered, it must first be determined which law will control the case - federal maritime law or state tort law. The differences between federal maritime law and state tort law are significant and may impact the outcome of the case. An attorney who regularly handles boating injury cases has the experience to sort through the complex legal issues and help you achieve a fair outcome based on the facts of your case.

Rights of a Person Injured on or by a Watercraft

The potential claims of a person injured by a watercraft are determined by the injured person’s category: seaman, social guest, business visitor or bystander/swimmer/water skier. The category also determines the legal rules that will be applied to your claim.

Product Liability Claims - Personal Watercraft Such as Jet Skis

Although the majority of boating accidents occur due to the boat operator's negligence or recklessness, some boating accidents are caused by a defect of the boat itself. When an injury is caused by a defective or dangerous condition of the boat, the injured person may have a product liability case against the manufacturer of the boat. These claims allege that a manufacturer’s design defect makes the watercraft unreasonably dangerous when used in a "foreseeable manner."

Conclusion

When a water-related accident occurs, you need a thorough investigation and evaluation of its cause(s) by an experienced maritime law attorney. Complex legal and safety issues may be involved. If you have been injured on a boat, while boating or while engaged in other water sport activities, contact an attorney in your area who has experience handling boat accident and injury claims.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.

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No matter where your boating accident took place, the experienced Southern and Northern California boating injury law firm of Brodsky Micklow Bull & Weiss LLP can analyze the facts, claims, and defenses relating to your lawsuit. It can make a difference to the tactical choices made in your case whether the accident took place on a lake, river, coastal waters, port or harbor, or the open ocean.

We also handle accidents relating to all forms of personal or recreational craft or vessels, ranging from jet skis, water skis, kayaks, and canoes, all the way up to the largest private sailboats, inboard cruisers, and yachts.

Call or e-mail a San Francisco or San Diego boating injuries lawyer at Brodsky Micklow Bull & Weiss LLP for a free and confidential consultation about your claim.

Brodsky Micklow Bull & Weiss LLP - San Diego Boating Injuries Lawyers

384 Embarcadero West, Suite 200
Oakland, CA 94607
Telephone: (510) 268-6180
Fax: (510) 268-6181
Mobile: (415) 828-8100

2608 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
Telephone: (619) 225-8884
Fax: (619) 230-1350

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California ship injury lawsuit attorneys at Brodsky Micklow Bull & Weiss LLP represent working seamen, recreational boaters, cruise passengers, longshore and harbor workers, sport and commercial fishermen, offshore oil and gas workers, and anyone else injured on the high seas, coastal waterways, or inland navigable waters of the Pacific Basin, California, Alaska, Hawaii, Tijuana, Mexico, Ensenada, Puget Sound, San Francisco, San Diego, Mission Bay, Santa Barbara, Oakland, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Ventura, Moss Landing, Richmond, Sacramento, Stockton, San Pedro, Crescent City, Wilmington, Bodega Bay, Pillar Point, Oxnard, Eureka, Half Moon Bay, Guam, Honolulu, Pago Pago, American Samoa, Saipan, Coos Bay, Los Angeles Harbor, and the San Francisco Bay Area and Delta.