Wisconsin Boating Accident Lawyers

Wisconsin’s plentiful rivers and lakes provide many opportunities for recreational boating activities on a jet ski, water skis, or a boat or yacht. Unfortunately, some of those activities turn into tragedy when recreational boating accidents occur. The injuries can be serious, and often become deadly when out on the water, far from shore.

If you have a Wisconsin boating accident claim, you may wonder who will fight for you as you try to recover compensation for your medical expenses and other losses. Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm is here to fight on your behalf. We provide boating accident legal assistance in Wisconsin to help you recover what you deserve from your serious injury or if a boating accident resulted in the wrongful death of a loved one. Contact us today to set up a free consultation with a Madison boating accident lawyer from our law firm.

Common Causes of Boating Accidents in Wisconsin

While many Wisconsin residents enjoy boating activities, there is always a risk that injuries can occur. Following what the Coast Guard recommends for safety on the water is the best way to avoid becoming a statistic. Here are the most common reasons why Wisconsin boating accidents occur:

Operator Inexperience or Error

A boat requires the same care to operate as a motor vehicle. Inexperienced operators may not know how to safely pilot vessels, leading to boating accidents. They’re not the only ones, as even an operator with years of experience can cause a devastating accident on the water. Just as drivers make errors on the road, boat operators can do the same in lakes and rivers.

Distracted Boating

Boaters who are busy looking at their phones or navigation systems may not spot a personal watercraft in their way until it’s too late. They may crash into swimmers, rocks, or other obstacles in the water.

Recklessness by Boat Operators

Every person piloting a boat has a duty to operate the vessel with reasonable care. Wisconsin law prohibits boaters from traveling at excessive speed or engaging in behaviors that frighten or endanger others, both in their own boats and on other boats on the water. Whether they are using a personal watercraft such as a jet ski, fishing boat, speed boat, or any other type of boat, engaging in these reckless behaviors is considered negligent, and if it leads to a boating accident, the injured party can file a personal injury lawsuit.

Boating Under the Influence

Many Wisconsin boating accidents are sadly caused by operators who drink while driving their vessels. State law also prohibits this behavior and views it with the same seriousness as someone who is drinking and driving on the road. The law also allows consent to an alcohol or drug test as a prerequisite for the operation of a boat or vessel. Those who cause boating accidents while intoxicated will face criminal charges as well as a personal injury lawsuit.

Equipment Failure

Boat owners have a duty to maintain their vessels to keep them safe for operations. As a boater, you need to check whether your equipment functions properly before you get on the water. When a boater fails to take these precautions and there is an equipment failure, it can have tragic results.

For boat operators taking a tour group out on the water, their liability will likely make them one of the parties in a boating accident claim. For boat rental companies that do not maintain equipment or a boat manufacturer who produced a defective product, the claims can be even more complicated than other boating accident cases, making the need for a boating accident lawyer even more critical.

Lack of Preparation for Safety and Adverse Weather

Safety measures must be planned ahead of boating activities. This means making sure that there is a life jacket for every passenger, that a boat is never overloaded with more passengers than its capacity, and that it has medical supplies and flares for an emergency.

In addition to being ready for any emergency, all boaters should monitor weather conditions, and if bad weather is expected, it’s best to postpone the excursion. Boaters who don’t prepare for these events could wind up with injuries in a boating accident or cause injuries to passengers or other boaters.

For Wisconsin accidents that take place on the water, make sure you have the right representation to navigate the complicated legal process. Victims of these accidents should take advantage of our free consultation to find out more.

Boating Accident Injuries

Wisconsin boating accidents often leave victims suffering from serious injury. A boating injury can occur from contact with the propeller or a hard surface, and some of these injuries may lead to permanent disability or death.

Broken Bones

Boating accidents commonly cause broken bones because of the sudden force that is exerted on victims. Multiple bones can fracture, some even shattering and requiring extensive surgeries.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

In many boating accidents, victims are thrown into the water. Some may bump their heads while others may simply lose consciousness; both scenarios may leave the brain deprived of oxygen. This type of boating injury can result in massive medical bills and will likely alter the course of a person’s life. If you were in a boating accident and sustained a traumatic brain injury, it could leave you with a permanent disability, resulting in lost income, medical expenses, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Boating accidents can leave victims with damage to the spinal cord. Some may have nerve damage that they can recover from with lengthy medical treatment. Others may never be able to walk again.

When negligent behavior during recreational activities results in boating accidents, those who suffer injuries should not be left with the financial fallout. Boating accidents can leave you with medical bills and the potential for lifelong medical costs. Even worse, they could result in the death of a loved one.

For help getting a settlement claim from the insurance company to cover medical bills and other losses or to file a wrongful death claim for the loss of a family member, contact a boating accident lawyer from our firm today.

Legal Rights of Boating Accident Victims in Wisconsin

When boating accidents happen, you may not know that you have the right to file a personal injury case for the harm you’ve sustained due to the liable party. Personal injury law allows victims to obtain compensation to make their lives as whole again as possible after traumatic accidents. As your well-being depends on being able to have money to live and support your family, taking legal action for the injuries you suffered is your right.

You also have the legal right, after a boating accident, to seek representation through injury lawyers. While you are not mandated by law to hire legal counsel in Wisconsin, boating accidents are incredibly complex. They require examining the contributing factors in boating accidents, gathering evidence, and negotiating with the insurance company to get a fair settlement. Our experienced attorneys offer a free initial consultation at no obligation, allowing you to learn more about your options and how we can fight for you in your boating accident case.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Boating Accident

For those who have suffered injuries in boating accidents, it is imperative to stay calm and take the right steps. If you ever find yourself in this scenario, take the following actions:

Prioritize Safety

Accidents while on the water are always sudden. One minute, everyone is having a good time, and the next, tragedy strikes. You may only notice property damage to the boat in those first few seconds and not realize you or others are hurt. In seconds, it may dawn on you that you and other passengers have injuries and need help. Do what you can to keep yourselves safe and then reach out for help.

Report Accidents on the Water

Even if there only seems to be property damage, contact the authorities immediately. Something that looks minor could impact the boat and make it inoperable. The boat may also start taking on water, which can cause it to slowly sink.

Seek Immediate Medical Treatment

When you report the accident, make sure to tell them if anyone is hurt or if you suspect you sustained injuries. You may think you’re fine, but it’s better to have a full medical examination and get peace of mind than to ignore a potentially life-threatening injury.

Gather Physical Evidence

It’s a fact that physical evidence will be much more challenging to obtain while on the water. Remember, your health and safety should be the top priority, but if it is possible, try to take photos and videos of the accident scene and your injuries. Along with your medical records, this will help show the insurance company the validity of your claim.

Meet with Personal Injury Lawyers

Accidents on the water will have several factors that complicate them. Since water can wash away evidence or evidence can sink, injury lawyers are an asset as they can help you using their resources. You’ll have someone who can hire experts to track down evidence by other means or recreate the accident to prove who was at fault. Injury lawyers allow you to have someone negotiate with the insurance company while you rest and recover from your injuries.

The Role of Wisconsin Boat Accident Attorneys in Securing Compensation for Your Boating Accident Claim

Wisconsin boating accidents can be horrific and tragic, often leaving boating parties grieving the loss of friends and family. When accidents like these occur due to the negligence of others, it is vital to prove liability. You may have a tough time doing this on your own, making the need for an attorney essential.

Let Pemberton Personal Injury Law in Wisconsin take over this fight. We provide a personalized approach and are backed by a track record of success. Schedule a free consultation with our team today, and we can help you determine how to proceed.