A fun day on the water can turn catastrophic by a boating accident. According to a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources report, there were 90 non-fatal boating accidents and 16 fatalities in 2020.
If you are a victim in any of these situations, you may seek compensation for your injuries or the death of a loved one.
1. Boaters hit by a negligent boater
Boat drivers must safely operate the watercraft. If a driver acts negligently and causes injury to another boat’s passengers, that driver may be liable. Some common types of negligence that can result in injury are:
- intoxication
- distracted drivers
- excessive speed
2. Skiers, swimmers or jet skiers hit by a negligent boater
Not only do boat drivers need to watch for other boaters, but they must also look out for people in the water. Skiers, swimmers and jet skiers hit by a boater may suffer traumatic injuries or death. If a boater is acting negligently, the injured person can seek damages.
3. Passengers of boats driven by negligent boaters
As a passenger in a boat, you can not control the driver’s actions. If the driver speeds, maneuvers recklessly, collides with another vessel or crashes into stationery items, and you get injured, you can seek compensation from the driver.
4. Family members of people who died in boat accidents caused by negligence
Unfortunately, some boating accidents cause loss of life. If a close family member dies due to the negligent behavior of a boat driver, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit to cover medical and funeral expenses, lost earnings and loss of companionship.
If you experience an injury or a family member’s death due to any of the above situations, you may seek compensation to cover the financial losses caused by the boating accident.
