2051 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama 36606
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Experienced Mobile Alabama Boating Accident Attorney

boating accidents in mobile, alabamaFew experiences are quite as enjoyable as getting onto a boat and heading out into the Mobile Bay. Indeed, all of life’s stressors and worries can be quickly washed away by the peace and serenity of the open water.

Unfortunately though, what starts as a dream for some Mobile-area boaters quickly turns into a nightmare when they are involved in a boating accident. Boating accidents often lead to devastating injuries or fatalities, and few are prepared for what to do in the immediate aftermath. And sadly, boating accidents are relatively common in our state; to be sure, a joint report published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard shows that a total of 79 boating accidents occurred in Alabama in 2015, 17 of which ended in death.

In the wake of a boating accident, many victims or their survivors are left to deal with rising medical costs and other expenses, all while dealing with overwhelming grief and frustration. If you find yourself in this situation, it is in your best interests to reach out to a boating accident attorney skilled in maritime law, who will stand by your side during this difficult time and fight on your behalf to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Common Types and Causes of Boating Accidents

In reality, boating accidents actually comprise a variety of different incident types. For example, the following is a list of some of the boating accidents that often occur off the coast of Alabama:

  • Collisions with other boats;
  • Collisions with floating objects;
  • Explosions or electrocution accidents;
  • Capsizing and drowning accidents;
  • Waterskiing or wakeboarding accidents; and
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning accidents.

This is, by no means, a complete list of all of the possible ways in which a boating accident can occur. And while in some cases injuries on the water may be completely accidental, far too often these accidents result from the negligence of one or more parties. Specifically, many boating accidents often have an underlying cause, including those listed below:

  • Operating a boat while intoxicated;
  • Operating a boat while fatigued or distracted;
  • Defective boat parts;
  • Failure to observe the boating rules on the water;
  • Failure to adhere to safety protocols while wakeboarding or waterskiing;
  • Passenger misconduct; and
  • Failing to prepare for adverse boating conditions.

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a boating accident in which any of these types of negligence was involved, it is imperative that you contact an attorney today for help. An attorney can help you discover all of the underlying causes of the boating accident, and assist you in holding liable the responsible parties. Often, in the case of an accident caused by defective parts or by multiple parties, this can be a complex process, which is why the assistance of a lawyer is paramount.

Injuries Sustained in Boating Accidents

The injuries that are sustained in a boating accident can be truly varied. In some cases, an accident may lead to nothing more than a few scrapes; in other situations, catastrophic injuries or death, may result. Indeed, the following is a short list of injuries that are often sustained in boating accidents in Alabama:

  • Lacerations;
  • Torn ligaments and other soft tissue injuries;
  • Broken bones;
  • Burns from fires or electrocution;
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI); and
  • Amputations.

In cases that involve parties falling overboard, these victims may sustain serious brain damage after prolonged periods of lack of oxygen. Other times, serious boating accidents may lead to fatalities, as well.

What do I do after a boating accident in Alabama?

Federal law requires the following types of boating accidents to be reported to the local authorities:

  • Any incident that resulted in injury or death of the boat operator and its passengers. If the accident involved a collision between two or more boats, you must report injuries or fatalities from each one of them.
  • If a driver or any passengers cannot be accounted for in the immediate aftermath of the accident
  • Property damage exceeding $2,000

The boat operator is the person who should report the accident. He or she has 10 days to do so, except when anyone involved in the accident was injured or killed. These types of boating accidents must be reported within two days.

Why It’s Important to File a Lawsuit Immediately After a Boating Accident

Directly after a boating accident, rarely does a victim or their survivors wish to think about pursuing a legal claim. Instead, they are often focused on recovering from devastating injuries, or coping with the loss of a loved one.

However, it is in this exact moment that victims or their loved ones should reach out to an attorney for help. An attorney can act as an advocate and help sort through the recovery process.

Beyond that, however, an Alabama boating accident lawyer can also help ensure victims file a claim within the necessary time frame. Specifically, under Alabama law, boating accident victims only have two years to file a civil lawsuit after sustaining their injuries; the same goes for survivors who wish to file a wrongful death lawsuit in order to recover compensation for the loss of their loved one. Failure to file a lawsuit within this time frame will bar the victim or their survivors from recovering any compensation at all.

In light of this, anyone who has been injured on Alabama waters should quickly contact a skilled attorney for help. A lawyer will act as both a guide and legal representative and assist throughout the entirety of the claims process.

Contact Us Today and Learn What Our Skilled Legal Team Can Do for You

If you are suffering in the aftermath of a boating accident in Alabama, either from injuries of your own or the loss of a loved one, we invite you to reach out to us today at the Law Office of J. Allan Brown, LLC in Mobile. We have the knowledge and legal experience that you need to help you recover compensation. Our attorneys will work aggressively on your behalf by visiting the accident scene and collecting evidence, gathering witness statements, using professional investigators to review damages at the scene of the accident, consulting with medical professionals to determine the scope of the injuries, and take all other actions necessary with your recovery in mind.

There is no reason to go through this process without the assistance of a skilled and experienced legal professional in your area. Contact the dedicated Alabama boating accident attorneys at the Law Office of J. Allan Brown, LLC either online or by calling 251-473-6691 for a free case review and learn how we can help you today. We are eager to begin working on your behalf.

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