Who You Can Hold Liable for a Boating Accident

In 2019, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 4,168 boating accidents that resulted in 701 deaths, 2,559 injuries, and nearly $50 million in property damage. If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, you may wonder who is liable for the damages. The answer depends on the circumstances of the accident. Contact a personal injury attorney immediately if you face a boating accident. Following is all you need to know about the liable party in a boating accident.

Operator

In many cases, the operator of the vessel is liable for any accidents or injuries that occur. This is especially true if the operator was intoxicated, inexperienced, or otherwise negligent. To determine negligence, courts will often look to see if the operator violated any boating laws or regulations.

Owner

In some instances, the vessel’s owner may be held liable for an accident even if they were not actually operating the boat at the time of the accident. This is most likely to occur if the owner knew or should have known that the operator was intoxicated, inexperienced, or otherwise negligent but failed to act to prevent them from operating the vessel.

Product Liability

In some cases, a defect in the design or manufacturing of the vessel may have caused or contributed to the accident. In these situations, the manufacturer or seller of the vessel may be held liable under product liability laws.

Manufacturer

If a defect in the vessel’s design contributed to an accident, the manufacturer might be liable. For example, if a boat capsizes because of a design flaw. Similarly, the engine manufacturer may be held liable if a boat’s engine fails and causes an accident.

It’s important to note that in some cases, more than one party may be liable for an accident. For example, if the operator and manufacturer are found to be at fault, they may be required to pay damages.

Other Parties

In some instances, other parties may also be held liable for a boating accident. This could include the manufacturer of the vessel or its equipment if there were defects that caused the accident or a party who negligently caused another vessel to collide with yours.

It is important to note that boating accidents can be complex, and determining liability may require a thorough investigation of the circumstances. If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, it is important to seek legal guidance to protect your rights and pursue compensation for your damages.

If you’ve been involved in a boating accident, you may wonder who is liable for your injuries and damages. The answer depends on various factors, including who was operating the vessel and whether there were any defects in its design or manufacture. In some cases, more than one party may be liable for an accident. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you investigate your case and determine who is liable so that you can get the compensation you deserve.