Los Angeles Boating Accident Attorney

Boating accident is a serious matter in California.  Each year thousands of people are injured and some are killed in boating accidents.  Increasing number of registered boats and vessels in California every year plays a factor to the frequency of boating accidents.  Boating accidents take place on a privately-owned boat, a cruise ship, a jet ski, a ferry or other types of watercraft.

Damages from boating accidents can be very severe including property damage, broken bones, brain damage, drowining and wrongful death.

If you or someone close has been injured in a boating accident, you should contact our Los Angeles boating accident attorney at Peter Park Law Firm to gather evidence and file a suit if necessary before the statute of limitations.

Causes of common boating accidents

Normally, the boating accidents do not occur absent negligence of a captain or boat operator.  Many inexperienced or negligent operators simply underestimate the danger involved in operating a boat and ignore reasonable signs to avoid such danger.  Consumption of alcohol and failure to use floatation devices are also very common factors contributing to boating accidents.  Boat operators are required to comply with the state law in operating and maintaining their boat.  Failure to complay could create a risk to others in the zone and cause injury or property damages to others.

• Boat collisions – if you have been injured from a boat collision with another boat, vessel or other standing constructions or objects, talk to our Los Angeles boating accident attorney at Peter Park Law Firm.
• Rough seas – Rough waves of sea can cause a boat or cruise ship to move around and as a result, you may have been injured due to the captain’s improper warning or breaching their duty of care to you as a passenger.  If you or someone close to you have been injured in this type of incident, our firm can help you recover damages.
• Drunk boating accidents – if the boating accident was a result of another operator’s intoxication or being under the influence of drugs, our Los Angeles boating attorney can help you recover damages.

Choice of law In boating incidents, either two laws can apply – California state tort law or Federal Admiralty or Maritime law.  Although boating accident cases may appear simple due to its nature of involving fewer defendants than on land injury cases, they can be more complicated than motor vehicle accident cases because federal maritime laws often apply.  Depending on whether state law is used or the federal law is used, or whether the suit is filed in California state court or in federal district court, outcome of the case may vary greatly.  Talk to our Los Angeles boating accident lawyer at our firm about your case.