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Denver Boat Accident Attorney

If you were hurt in a boating or watercraft accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to file a claim for compensation for your injuries. Contact The Fang Law Firm in Denver today to schedule a consultation with our Denver boat accident lawyers. We can tell you if you have a case and what damages you may be entitled to claim.

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Denver Boat Accident Lawyer

Why Choose Our Denver Boat Accident Attorneys?

Our firm was founded on the guiding principle that people deserve personal representation and communication throughout a personal injury claim.

  • Our attorneys maintain a direct line of communication with our clients and are available for questions or concerns any time of day.
  • We promise to return your phone calls within 24 hours.
  • We do not employ legal assistants or paralegals. All our cases are handled directly by experienced Denver personal injury lawyers.

Why You Need a Lawyer

It can be difficult to negotiate with an insurance company after a boat accident, especially if you are dealing with serious injuries. Insurance companies are known for devaluing claims and avoiding payouts. Hiring an attorney can make it easier to protect your rights and seek justice for your boat accident.

An experienced boat accident attorney in Denver can navigate complicated elements that your case may involve, such as:

  • Liability dispute: Our Denver boating and watercraft accident attorneys can investigate your boating or watercraft accident to determine cause and liability. Then, we can collect evidence to help prove your case and establish negligence, including hiring highly qualified experts.
  • Release forms: you were most likely required to sign a disclaimer of liability if you rented a boat from a dock or marina owner. However, this contract may not be enforceable, depending on the circumstances. You will need an experienced Denver boat accident attorney to carefully review the language.
  • Operating under the influence: Operating a boat with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit is prohibited in Colorado. If an operator involved in your accident was intoxicated when the accident occurred, you may have a personal injury claim against that operator.

At The Fang Law Firm, our purpose is to protect your rights and zealously pursue the compensation you deserve. As your boat accident lawyers, we will work tirelessly to make sure you have everything you need during this difficult time.

Boating Accident Statistics

Boating accidents are more common than most people realize. Every year, boat and watercraft incidents involving serious injuries and deaths are reported in Colorado and throughout the country. A report published by the U.S. Coast Guard revealed the following statistics:

  • 636 people were killed in boating accidents nationwide in 2022.
  • Boating accident fatalities decreased by 1.8% from the previous year.
  • 2,222 recreational boating injuries occurred in the U.S. in 2022.
  • There were 4,040 boating accidents nationwide.
  • The fatality rate was 5.5 deaths per 100,000 registered vehicles.
  • Alcohol was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.

Statistics for the State of Colorado reported 31 boat accidents in 2022, including 20 that caused injuries and 14 deaths. Boat accidents in Colorado resulted in approximately $31,400 in property damage in 2022.

Causes of Boating and Watersport Accidents

Boating and watersport accidents can occur for a variety of reasons ranging from equipment failure to operator error. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that the top five primary contributing factors to boating accidents in 2022 were:

  • Operator inattention
  • Improper lookout
  • Operator inexperience
  • Machinery failure
  • Alcohol use

Human error is the primary cause of boating accidents in Colorado. Boat owners and operators can often prevent serious accidents by using a reasonable level of care and attention, such as obeying boating laws and navigating waterways safely.

Who Is Liable in a Colorado Boating Accident?

Liability for boating accident injuries will depend on the circumstances surrounding the accident. In general, liability in a personal injury claim goes to the individual or entity most responsible for causing the victim’s injuries. This may be the party that broke a law or behaved negligently (without due care). There may be multiple potentially responsible parties, in a boat accident case including:

  • Operator or owner of a boat if you were a passenger
  • Operator or owner of a boat that hit yours
  • Manufacturer of the boat in case of machinery failure
  • Manufacturer of defective floating devices
  • Dock owner
  • Any party that negligently contributed to your injuries

Identifying the liable party or parties is a task that a boating accident attorney can help you with. Your lawyer can conduct a comprehensive investigation of the accident to determine its cause. Then, your lawyer can use this information to name one or more defendants. If multiple defendants share fault for your accident, they may each be responsible for paying a percentage of a settlement or judgment award won.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Boat Accident in Denver?

Serious injuries and losses can occur as a result of a Denver boat accident. Your life may never be the same as an injured victim. At The Fang Law Firm, we realize that no amount of money can make up for the trauma you experienced in a boat accident. However, we hope that a fair settlement or verdict can make it easier for you and your family to move forward.

The types of damages you may be able to recover with a boat accident claim include:

  • Medical bills: all expenses related to your required medical care, such as surgeries, hospitalizations, medications, rehabilitation and therapies.
  • Lost wages: reimbursement for lost income if your boat accident resulted in injuries that caused you to miss work. This can also include lost future capacity to earn due to a long-term injury.
  • Property damage: the price to repair or replace damaged property, such as a boat, boat dock or personal possessions.
  • Pain and suffering: compensation for intangible losses, such as physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, post-traumatic stress disorder and diminished enjoyment of life.
  • Disability or disfigurement: damages that may be awarded if the boat accident caused permanent disability or visible alterations to your appearance.
  • Wrongful death damages: funeral and burial costs, loss of inheritance, loss of consortium, and other expenses associated with the death of a loved one in a fatal boat accident.

Our goal is always to help our clients recover physically, emotionally and financially as much as possible. We can help you seek maximum compensation for your past and future losses. Our attorneys are prepared to use aggressive legal tactics, including going to trial, when necessary, to achieve the best available results for your boat accident case.

How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Claim?

It is important to know that you do not have an unlimited amount of time to file a boat accident claim in Denver. The clock will start ticking on the date of the accident or, if different, the date you discovered your injuries. In Colorado, the statute of limitations on a boat accident case is typically two years. If you wait longer than two years to file a claim, you will most likely find that the courts bar you from seeking a financial recovery.

There are a few exceptions to the rule. If the injured victim involved in the boat accident is under the age of 18, he or she will have two years from the date of becoming the age of majority (the child’s 18th birthday) to file a claim. If surviving family members wish to bring a wrongful death claim in Denver, they will have two years from the date of the decedent’s death to file rather than the date of the boat accident.

Do not wait to consult with an attorney about a potential boat accident case in Denver. Waiting too long puts you at risk of missing the statute of limitations and losing your right to pursue financial compensation forever. It is also important to take prompt legal action to preserve key evidence before it becomes lost or gets tampered with. Contact a Denver boat accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.

Types of Boating Injuries

Types of Boating Injuries

Responsible boating practices are imperative for the safety of everyone involved. Adherence to boating regulations and the use of safety measures such as life jackets can save lives in the event of a watercraft disaster. When a boat collides with another boat, dock or fixed object or experiences a calamity such as a fire, explosion or capsized vessel, the boat operator and his or her passengers can sustain severe to catastrophic injuries in Denver.

Common injuries include:

In addition to inflicting serious physical injuries, many boat accidents are highly traumatic events that cause emotional distress and psychological harm to those involved. Survivors may experience post-traumatic stress disorder, which can come with symptoms such as chronic anxiety and trouble sleeping. A boat accident victim in Denver may be eligible for financial compensation for any type of physical or emotional injury.

What to Do After a Boat Accident in Denver

Getting involved in a boat accident can be stressful and overwhelming. However, it is important to take the appropriate steps to ensure your safety and protect your rights. Do your best to seek professional medical care, preserve valuable information and consult with a lawyer after a Denver boat accident.

If you can, take the following steps:

  1. Ensure your safety and the safety of others. Check everyone involved in the boat accident for injuries. If someone has fallen overboard, begin rescue efforts while someone calls for help.
  2. Initiate a distress call. If the boat is capsizing or you need emergency assistance, make a distress call on your boat’s radio or using visual signals.
  3. Get medical care. Call for emergency medical assistance if someone appears to be seriously injured. Even minor injuries should be seen by a doctor once you are on land.
  4. Report the boat accident. Tell the appropriate authorities about the incident. This may include law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, or Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
  5. Do not admit fault. Don’t state or imply that you caused the boat accident. Wait for an official investigation to determine the cause of the event.
  6. Gather information. If you can, exchange information with other parties involved in the accident. Take photos of the scene and any property damage before you leave.
  7. Prepare for the claims process. Request copies of your accident report and medical records. Gather all the information you have about the accident to give to an insurance company.
  8. File an insurance claim. Report the accident to your own property insurance company. Then, file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurer.
  9. Keep up with medical treatments. Attend any recommended follow-up appointments with your doctor and comply with your treatment plan.
  10. Consult with an attorney. Contact a boat accident lawyer at The Fang Law Firm for a free case evaluation before accepting an insurance settlement.

Taking these basic steps after a boat accident can help protect your physical well-being and preserve crucial evidence to aid in the claims process. The sooner you contact a boat accident lawyer in Denver, the earlier a law firm can take over your case. You can enjoy peace of mind to focus on your recovery while your lawyer handles complicated legal matters for you.

Contact Our Denver Boat Accident Lawyer

Operator negligence, machinery failure and alcohol consumption are the main causes of most boating and watercraft accidents. If you have been injured in a boating accident that was someone else’s fault, contact us today at The Fang Law Firm as soon as possible to speak with a Denver boat accident attorney. We handle all our cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay us no legal fees until we recover compensation for you.