Trenton Boat Accident Lawyer

The Jersey Shore is known worldwide for its large boating community. Unfortunately, this also means that boating incidents within the state’s waterways are common and often result in serious injuries and damages. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury while on the water, you might have a legal right to compensation.

However, navigating the legal system could prove difficult without assistance from a Trenton boat accident lawyer. By retaining a skilled personal injury attorney, you could focus on your recovery with the knowledge that a legal professional is working to get you the compensation you deserve.

Common Causes of Boating Wrecks

A boating wreck does not have to occur solely on a boat, per se. Legally, the term refers to general maritime incidents, which means a “boating accident” could involve any type of watercraft—from jet skis to cruise ships, barges, and ferries. In the same vein, such an incident could happen in any body of water, including shallow harbors and open water alike.

Often, these wrecks result from the careless or reckless behavior of someone on the waterway. Common types of boat accidents stemming from operator negligence include:

• Capsizing
• Collisions between two vessels
• Grounding or stranding
• Onboard fires or explosions
• Sinking

Recoverable Damages in Trenton

After an incident on the water, the resulting injuries could range from lacerations, burns, and fractures to spinal cord trauma, traumatic brain injuries, and even the possibility of a fatality. Because of this, compensation sought in an injury case should cover economic damages such as medical bills, physical therapy, lost time at work due to injury, and lost earning capacity.

In addition, recovery for emotional and physical damages could also be sought. This might include compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other traumas. A compassionate Trenton boat accident attorney could help you assess the entirety of your damages in order to request adequate compensation.

How Is Liability Determined After a Boat Collision?

For a civil claim to be successful, it is almost always important to demonstrate legal negligence. To do this, it must be shown that the defendant had a legal duty of care, that this duty was breached, and that this led directly to an accident that resulted in your injuries.

There are a number of ways that this breach of duty could be shown. For example, under New Jersey Revised Statutes §12:7-46, it is illegal for a person to operate a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Therefore, proof of boater intoxication could be clear legal grounds for negligence.

Other possible examples of negligent behavior include operating a boat while on a cellphone, boating without a license or while underage, and speeding on the waterways. A Trenton boat accident lawyer could help you to gather evidence of how a boater’s negligence led to your accident.

How a Trenton Boat Accident Attorney Might Help

When someone else’s negligence causes your injuries, you have a legal right to seek compensation. If you or a loved one were injured in a boating incident, you might benefit from the services of an experienced Trenton boat accident lawyer.

A determined injury attorney could investigate every aspect of your claim by interviewing witnesses to the accident and evidence from the crash, gathering police and medical reports, and consulting with maritime experts. Call us today to discuss your case and how you might best proceed towards a positive resolution.