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Experienced Irvine Boating Accident Lawyer

Experience the thrill of boating in California, where endless ocean waters, picturesque lakes, and majestic rivers await you under a pleasant year-round climate. However, amidst the excitement, a moment can transform your joy into sheer horror if a boat accident occurs. The costs of such accidents can be devastating, impacting lives in profound ways. If you have been in an Irvine boating accident, contacting an experienced Irvine boating accident lawyer is crucial.

In the United States alone, preventable boating accidents claim hundreds of lives, leave thousands injured and result in millions of dollars in yearly losses. According to the United States Coast Guard, between 2021 and 2022, the total number of accidents decreased by 9 percent, from 4,439 to 4,040, while non-fatal injuries decreased by 15.9 percent, from 2,641 to 2,222. Shockingly, alcohol remained the leading known contributing factor, accounting for 88 deaths or 16 percent of all fatalities in boating accidents in 2022.

Furthermore, the statistics for 2022 demonstrate a fatality rate of 5.4 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, marking a 1.8 percent decline from the previous year’s rate. Property damage costs reached a staggering $63 million.

Additionally, in 2020, California witnessed a rise in boating accidents, surging from 324 incidents in 2019 to 493 incidents in 2020. Boating fatalities remained consistent at 39 deaths in both years.

More often than not, these boating accidents stem from negligence or errors committed by boat operators, passengers, or other individuals involved. Equipment or machinery failure and defects can also lead to such accidents.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a boating or water-related recreational activity accident caused by the negligent actions of someone else, you may be entitled to compensation. Neale & Fhima, boating accident lawyer, will fiercely advocate for the settlement you rightfully deserve.

With our knowledgeable Irvine boating accident lawyer by your side, you can ascertain your legal rights and pursue them effectively to maximize your chances of recovery.

Contact Neale & Fhima at 888-407-2955 to book a free phone, video, or in-person consultation.

How Neale & Fhima Irvine Boating Accident Lawyers Can Help You

If you or a loved one has suffered a boating accident, seeking legal representation to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve is essential. Neale & Fhima Irvine boating accident lawyers have over 40 years of legal experience helping people navigate the complex legal landscape surrounding boating accidents.

  • Expertise in Boating Laws: Navigating the legal intricacies of boating accidents requires a deep understanding of maritime law, personal injury law, and California regulations. Our boating accident lawyers possess extensive knowledge and experience in these areas. Our knowledge enables us to assess the unique circumstances of your case, identify responsible parties, and determine the applicable legal standards that apply to your situation.
  • Thorough Investigation and Evidence Collection: Gathering evidence is crucial to building a strong case. Our boating accident lawyers employ a team of skilled investigators who can promptly and thoroughly investigate the accident. They gather relevant evidence such as accident reports, witness testimonies, photographs, and expert opinions to establish liability and support your claim.
  • Determining Liability and Establishing Negligence: Determining liability in boating accidents can involve multiple parties, such as boat operators, boat owners, equipment manufacturers, and other boaters. We will carefully assess the accident’s circumstances to identify all potentially liable parties. We will then develop a legal strategy to hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence or wrongdoing.
  • Negotiation and Settlement: Negotiating with insurance companies or opposing parties can be complex and intimidating. We have extensive experience in handling such negotiations on behalf of their clients. We employ effective negotiation strategies to pursue a fair settlement that compensates you for your damages. We will take your case to trial if there is no settlement.
  • Providing Support and Guidance: Dealing with the aftermath of a boating accident can be overwhelming, both physically and emotionally. Our lawyers provide legal expertise, compassionate support, and guidance throughout the legal process. We will answer your questions, keep you informed about the progress of your case, and provide the reassurance you need during this difficult time.

If you have experienced a boating accident, you have likely endured physical injuries, property damage, and possibly even missed work due to the incident. These various damages are carefully evaluated when pursuing a personal injury claim. The primary objective of such a claim is to restore your financial well-being and compensate you for medical expenses, property damages, pain and suffering, and other associated costs.

You need an experienced Irvine boating accident lawyer to handle your boating accident case. Contact Neale & Fhima at 888-407-2955 to schedule a free phone, video meeting, or in-person consultation.

Common Causes of Boat Accidents in Irvine, CA

Recreational boating accidents can be devastating, and it is disheartening to know that many could have been prevented. Negligent actions play a significant role in causing these accidents, and some common examples include:

  • Boat Operator Inattention: Just like drivers of other vehicles, boat operators must always remain attentive and aware of their surroundings. Distractions such as cellphone use, texting, conversing with passengers, or eating and drinking can lead to tragic accidents.
  • Operator Inexperience: Operating a boat requires skill and experience. When operators lack proper training and knowledge of handling potential hazards on the water, they may make poor judgments or fail to identify dangerous situations, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
  • Excessive Speed: Speeding while operating a boat is highly dangerous. It can lead to loss of control, collisions with other vessels, docks, or obstacles in the boat’s path.
  • Intoxication: Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs decision-making abilities, distance judgment, and reaction times—essential skills for safe boating. Intoxication is a leading factor in many severe injuries and fatal boating accidents.
  • Inadequate Lookout: Designating a lookout person responsible for identifying hazards and other watercraft is crucial. Failure to assign someone or the lookout’s negligence in performing their duties can result in accidents.
  • Navigational Rule Violations: Boat operators must know and abide by California boating laws and regulations. Violations or ignorance of these rules can lead to collisions or other accidents, holding the boat operator responsible for compensating the victims.
  • Weather Conditions: While weather conditions are beyond anyone’s control, boat operators who venture out in hazardous conditions or fail to operate their boats safely in adverse weather may be deemed negligent if an accident occurs.
  • Mechanical Breakdown or Defect: Accidents caused by mechanical breakdowns or defects in the boat or its parts may warrant a claim against the boat repair facility, boat and parts manufacturers, or a negligent boat operator.

California Boating Law

The regulations governing boat operations in California are in Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. Every boat operator in California must exercise due care and prioritize the safety of others in the water at all times. However, unlike the stringent requirements for obtaining a driver’s license, there are no comparable prerequisites for operating a boat in California.

While boaters are expected to familiarize themselves with and adhere to the “rules of the road” applicable to Irvine’s waterways, accidents often occur due to inexperience or confusion regarding these regulations. If a driver in a boat accident violated the law at the time of the incident, they will likely be held accountable for any resulting injuries.

To establish liability against another party for the injuries sustained in a boating accident, the injured party must provide evidence demonstrating the other party’s negligence. Negligence is determined by a failure to operate a boat with due care.

Common Injuries from Boating Accidents

Boating accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, varying in severity depending on the circumstances of the incident. The following are some of the common injuries individuals may sustain in boating accidents:

  • Drowning or near-drowning
  • Traumatic amputations
  • Brain injuries
  • Spine and back injuries
  • Loss of vision
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Fractured and broken bones
  • Torn ligaments
  • Burns
  • Crush injuries (especially to hands and feet)
  • Wrongful death
  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Internal Injuries
  • Hypothermia
  • Cuts and lacerations.

When and How to Report a Boating Accident in Irvine

In Irvine, following proper procedures and reporting a boating accident is crucial. The reporting requirements are as follows:

  • Within 48 hours: If the accident resulted in a fatality, a person’s disappearance, or injuries requiring more than simple first aid, an accident report must be submitted to the California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways within 48 hours.
  • Within 10 days: If the boating accident led to a person’s death occurring more than 24 hours after the incident, property damage exceeding $500, or the complete loss of a watercraft or vessel, an accident report must be filed within 10 days.

While the owner and operator of the boat are primarily responsible for filing the accident report, other parties involved in the accident are also permitted to make the report if necessary.

Contact Neale & Fhima, Boating Accident Lawyer In Irvine, CA

If you are injured in a boating accident caused by someone else’s negligence in Irvine, you can seek compensation for your losses. It is crucial to engage the services of a reputable law firm that can help you secure the maximum amount of damages to cover your medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and physical and emotional pain and suffering.

Boating accidents fall under maritime laws, significantly impacting potential damages and recovery. Contacting Neale & Fhima Irvine boating accident lawyers at is of utmost importance. Failing to adhere to the specific deadlines associated with your claim can result in losing your opportunity to recover rightful compensation for your injuries.

We understand that initiating a lawsuit while recovering from an accident can be overwhelming. Our team of boating accident attorneys in Irvine, CA, will support you throughout the legal process.

Contact us at 888-407-2955 for a free initial consultation.

FAQs

What should I do immediately after a boating accident?

After a boating accident, prioritize your safety and the safety of others involved. Get medical attention for injuries and report the accident to the appropriate authorities. Take photographs of the accident scene, gather contact information from witnesses, and document any damages.

Can I still pursue a boating accident claim without wearing a life jacket?

Wearing a life jacket is highly recommended for boating safety and may be required by law in certain situations. However, not wearing a life jacket does not automatically negate your ability to pursue a boating accident claim. A boating accident investigation and legal case will typically focus on factors such as negligence, recklessness, and other contributing factors that caused the accident.

What types of compensation can I seek in a boating accident case?

In a boating accident case, you may be eligible to seek various types of compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

Attorney Aaron Fhima

Aaron Fhima, California attorneyAaron Fhima is a trial attorney who has secured numerous settlements and verdicts against large corporations and some of the largest auto manufacturers in the world. Representing consumers and injury victims throughout the state of California, Aaron’s practice areas include personal injury, and lemon law litigation. Aaron has a long record of success taking on large defense firms; and he doesn’t hesitate to take cases to trial when necessary to enforce his clients’ rights. [ Attorney Bio ]

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