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Why You Should Hire a Boating Accident Lawyer After an Accident in Maine

A boating accident is a life-altering event, leaving victims grappling with physical pain, emotional distress, and financial hardship. If you suffered injuries in a Maine boating accident, understanding your legal options is crucial.

A skilled boating accident lawyer can be your lifeline, guiding you through the complex waters of personal injury law. Keep reading to learn how an attorney can help you and what steps you should take next.

Why Hire a Lawyer After a Maine Boating Accident?

Navigating the aftermath of a boating accident alone can be overwhelming. A boating accident lawyer provides invaluable support and expertise.

• Investigate the accident. Experienced attorneys have the resources to investigate the incident thoroughly, gathering evidence such as witness statements, accident reports, photographs, and expert opinions to build a strong case. They also preserve crucial evidence that might be lost or destroyed over time.
• Handle insurance companies. Dealing with insurance adjusters is stressful and often results in lowball offers as insurers prioritize their company’s bottom line over your well-being. An attorney levels the playing field by protecting your rights, negotiating for fair compensation, and preventing unethical tactics that can result in minimizing your claim.
• Calculate damages. Determining the full extent of your losses can be complex. An attorney helps you calculate damages to ensure all losses are covered, including immediate medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and intangible losses like pain and suffering.
• Litigation. Boating accident cases can be complex and require a deep understanding of personal injury law. If parties cannot settle, your lawyer will advocate for your rights in court, aggressively pursuing the compensation you deserve.  

Hiring a lawyer to help you navigate the legal complexities allows you to focus on your recovery while they obtain the compensation you need and deserve. 

Common Causes of Maine Boating Accidents

Maine’s beautiful waterways can be dangerous. While boating accidents may occur due to any number of reasons, the most common causes of boating accidents include the following:

• Operator error. Operator error is the leading cause of boating accidents and encompasses inexperience, fatigue, alcohol or drug impairment, distraction, failure to follow boating regulations, or failing to have a proper lookout. Boater education and licensing requirements are essential to prevent these accidents.
• Excessive speed. Operating a boat at high speeds reduces reaction time and increases the risk of accidents, particularly in crowded waterways or when conditions create poor visibility. Speed limits are in place for a reason, and adhering to them is crucial for safety.
• Weather conditions. Sudden storms, heavy fog, strong currents, and high winds create hazardous conditions and impair visibility, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Boaters should be prepared to check weather forecasts before heading out, and they should be willing to change their plans if conditions deteriorate.
• Equipment failure. Regular boat maintenance is essential to prevent malfunctioning engines, steering systems, or other critical components that can cause loss of control and collisions. Routine inspections and proper equipment maintenance can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
• Collisions with obstacles. Striking submerged objects, other boats, or fixed structures often result in serious injuries. Maintaining a proper lookout, adhering to navigational rules, and using nautical charts and electronic navigation aids can all help boaters avoid hazards.

Determining the cause of your boating accident helps your attorney determine liability and hold the correct party responsible. 

Boating Accident Injuries

Injuries sustained in boating accidents are often severe and life-changing. Let’s look at some of the most common boating accident injuries.

Head and Brain Injuries

Collisions, falls, and impacts can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that range from mild concussions to severe, debilitating conditions. TBIs can result in cognitive impairments, memory loss, personality changes, and long-term disabilities.

The effects of a TBI are often lifelong and require extensive rehabilitation.

Spinal Cord Injuries

These devastating injuries result from impacts, falls, or being thrown from the boat. Spinal cord injuries often lead to paralysis, loss of sensation, and lifelong dependence on others. The impact of a spinal cord injury is profound, affecting every aspect of your life.

Orthopedic Injuries

Bone fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue damage are common in boating accidents. These injuries can cause pain and limited mobility and require extensive medical treatment. Orthopedic injuries significantly impact your ability to perform daily activities and work.

Internal Injuries

Blunt force trauma from impacts can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, and other life-threatening conditions. Internal injuries often require immediate medical attention and can result in long-term complications.

Burns

Explosions, fires, or contact with hot engine components can result in severe burns, requiring extensive medical care and potentially leading to disfigurement and scarring. Burns can cause physical pain and emotional distress and require ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Drowning

Falling overboard or being ejected from the boat can lead to drowning, a tragic and often fatal outcome. Wearing life jackets is crucial for preventing drowning accidents.

Injuries significantly disrupt your life, from your relationships with your family and friends to the ability to do the job you love. Recovering compensation for your injuries is crucial to getting the help you and your family need to move forward.  

Compensatory Damages After a Maine Boating Accident

If you suffered injuries in a boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Damages are typically categorized into economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are quantifiable financial losses, including:

• Medical expenses, 
• Lost wages and future earning capacity,
• Property damage,
• Out-of-pocket expenses, and  
• Loss of earning potential due to disabilities.

Non-economic damages are intangible losses, such as:

• Pain and suffering,
• Emotional distress,
• Mental anguish,
• Loss of consortium,
• Disfigurement,
• Loss of enjoyment of life, and
• Diminished quality of life.

The aftermath of a boating accident can be overwhelming, but with the proper legal guidance, you can focus on your recovery while your attorney handles the complexities of your case.

Don’t hesitate to seek legal counsel if you or a loved one suffered injuries in a Maine boating accident.

Discuss Your Case With a Compassionate Injury Lawyer in Windham Today

At Mann Law, we deliver the highest level of personal injury representation in Maine and New England. With more than 50 years of combined experience, we are passionate advocates for individuals in personal injury cases.

We are passionate about what we do and are committed to protecting what you value most. We have an established legacy of success in navigating our clients through some of life’s most difficult challenges, and are recognized as among the best in Maine.

Contact the attorneys at Mann Law today by phone or email to book a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you in your case! 

Christiana E. Mann Christiana “Chrissy” Mann has specialized in civil litigation for 21+ years as a savvy and creative litigator, and she’s regarded as a fair, compassionate, and zealous advocate on behalf of her clients.