Atlanta Boating Accident Attorney
Hasner Law might be able to help you recover compensation if you have been injured in a boating accident in or near Atlanta, GA. We understand how traumatic an accident on the water can be, so we’ll stand by your side every step of the way as we demand a financial award on your behalf.
All you have to do is give our Atlanta boating accident lawyers a call at 678-888-4878 to schedule a free consultation and learn more.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer at Hasner Law Can Help After Your Boating Accident
Few things are scarier than getting into an accident out on the open water. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a small pond or a huge lake – the situation can be terrifying, no matter what. You expected a leisurely and fun day, not one ending in tragedy. Don’t let whoever is responsible for your boating accident, injuries, and suffering off the hook. Call Hasner Law and ask our Atlanta personal injury attorneys to hold them accountable.
At Hasner Law, our legal team has more than 80 years of combined experience helping injury victims in and around Atlanta. We understand that, because of your accident, you’ll need time to recover and get back on your feet. To give you the opportunity to do that, we’ll take your legal case off of your plate.
We’ll investigate your boating accident to determine causation and fault. Our attorneys will work with law enforcement to ensure that we gather all relevant evidence. To better understand your case, we’ll bring in experts who can shed light on your injuries and help us know what your case is most likely worth.
You won’t have to worry about dealing with an insurance company – we’ll handle all communications and negotiations. If necessary, our accomplished trial lawyers will take your case to a jury. Simply put – we’ll do what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve.
Advocating For You After Your Boat Accident
Atlanta might be landlocked, but there is no shortage of lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams nearby. Lake Lanier, Robin Lake, Lake Acworth, Lake Allatoona, and the Chattahoochee River are just a stone’s throw away. Many offer beaches and plenty of opportunities to hit the open water for some recreational fun.
However, things can go sideways when people forget to be careful while boating in Atlanta. Accidents happen, and people like you who were just trying to have a good time get hurt. If this has happened to you, the boating accident attorneys at Hasner Law are here to help. We represent clients who have been injured in Atlanta in:
- Jet ski accidents
- Kayak accidents
- Canoe accidents
- Water skiing accidents
- Commercial boating accidents
- Recreational boating accidents
- Personal watercraft accidents
- Party boat accidents
- Pontoon boat accidents
- Sailboat accidents
- Motorboat accidents, and more.
Contact our team for immediate legal assistance if you’ve been injured in a boating accident in Fulton County. We’ll gladly review your case and answer any questions that you might have as you consider your legal options.
What Causes Boat Accidents and Injuries in Atlanta?
Every year, there are dozens of boating accidents in the state of Georgia. In recent years, accidents have been happening with greater frequency. Between 2015 and 2018, the number of boating accidents in the state increased by more than 13 percent. However, it’s important to note that while total accidents increased, the number of fatal accidents has actually declined.
Why are boat accidents so common in Georgia? According to the United States Coast Guard, the leading causes of these accidents include:
- Collision with a recreational vehicle
- Collision with a fixed object
- Flooding
- Swamping
- Falling overboard
- Grounding
- Speeding
- Inexperienced operators
- Operator inattention
- Inadequate (or missing) safety equipment
- Boating under the influence (BUI), and
- Defective vessels or safety equipment.
Other causes of boating accidents in Atlanta can include inclement weather, limited visibility, navigation rules violations, and overcrowded waterways.
Negligence and Your Atlanta Boat Accident
Most boat accidents are the result of negligence. Negligence means that someone owed you a duty of care but breached it in some way, which caused you to get hurt. In Georgia, more than one person (or party) might be negligent and cause your boating accident. Under state law, you can potentially hold each and every one of them accountable. This might include:
- Boating operators
- Boat passengers or occupants
- Boat rental companies
- Boat manufacturers or retailers
- Employers of negligent parties
- Government agencies, and more.
It might also be true that you contributed to your boat accident in some way. If this is the case, it’s important to speak with a qualified Atlanta personal injury lawyer. The fact that you share fault – or are being blamed by other parties – could hurt your ability to recover compensation.
That’s because Georgia has modified comparative negligence rules. If you’re allocated 50 percent or more of the blame for an accident, you’ll be barred from getting compensation. If you’re allocated less than 50 percent of the blame, your award will be reduced accordingly. For example, if you share 15 percent of the blame, your damages will be capped at 85 percent of your losses.
The attorneys at Hasner Law have been navigating the complexities of personal injury cases like yours for decades. We’ll stand up for you and fight to limit the impact your role (if any) has on your case.
What Damages Are Available to Boating Accident Victims in Georgia?
After a boating accident in Atlanta, you might have a legitimate personal injury claim for damages against at-fault parties. In Georgia, you can typically recover both economic and non-economic awards.
Economic Damage
Economic damages are awarded to make up for the financial cost s of your accident. These damages can include what your injuries cost you today and what they’re likely to cost you in the future.
Economic damages can include:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Property damage
- Lost income and wages while you recover, and
- Temporary and/or permanent disability.
In receiving economic damages, you should be put back in the financial position you were in before you got hurt.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are paid to compensate for the injuries and consequences of your accident that are hard to value. These injuries don’t come with a receipt. In fact, the value of non-economic damages can vary from person to person and from case to case.
These can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium, and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
These damages are often the source of arguments and disputes between parties. That’s why Hasner Law brings in experts to back up our demands. We’ll get experts on the record to explain how your injuries will likely impact your life. This will make it more difficult for insurance companies and negligent parties to discount the trauma you’ve endured.
How Long Do I Have to File a Boat Accident Lawsuit?
After a boat accident in Atlanta, you will have a limited amount of time to demand compensation for your injuries. Under Georgia state law, the statute of limitations for these types of cases is typically two years from the date of injury.
This might be the date of your accident, or it might be weeks or months down the line when you discover that you’ve been hurt. If you’re filing a wrongful death lawsuit after a fatal boating accident, the clock begins to run when your loved one dies.
You could have additional time to file a claim if you were under 18 when you were injured or if the person who caused your accident can’t be located. Alternatively, you might have a reduced window of time in which to assert your rights if you believe a government agency or actor is at fault. One thing is certain – you will lose the right to recover a financial award if you do not initiate legal action on time.
Our Atlanta Boat Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help
You might be entitled to compensation if you’ve been injured in a boat accident in Atlanta, Georgia. Hasner Law will fight tirelessly to help you maximize your financial recovery. Simply give our Atlanta law office a call today to schedule a free case assessment with our boat accident team. We’re always here to take your call, no matter the time of day.
Our Atlanta, GA personal injury law firm also provides:
- Aviation Accident Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
- Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
- Brain Injury Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
- Bus Accident Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
- Car Accident Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
- Construction Accident Attorneys in Atlanta, GA
- Atlanta, GA Dog Bite Lawyers
- Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
- Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
- Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Atlanta, GA
- Premises Liability Attorneys in Atlanta, GA
- Truck Accident Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
- Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Atlanta, GA
- Atlanta, GA Wrongful Death Lawyers
