Easton Boat Accident Lawyer
Practice Areas
Easton boat accident lawyer Edward P. Shaughnessy offers free consultations to those who have suffered injuries due to negligence in recreational boating accidents. Whether you’ve been involved in a collision, capsizing, or any other boat accidents in Easton, PA, you may be entitled to legal recourse. As a seasoned Easton boating accident injury lawyer with a deep understanding of Pennsylvania’s personal injury law, Shaughnessy works to help you understand your rights, including options for recovering compensation. His Easton boating accident attorney team operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay any legal fees unless your personal injury case is successful.
Recreational boating is a popular pastime in Pennsylvania, but boating accidents can happen. If you’re seeking legal counsel on insurance coverage or how to fully cover losses for boat accident injuries in the Lehigh Valley area, the Easton boat accident lawyers at Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy are ready to assist you.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident in Pennsylvania, contact Easton vehicle accident attorney Edward P. Shaughnessy today. Call 610-258-9955 to schedule a free consultation with a boating accident lawyer regarding your personal injury case.
Pennsylvania Boating Laws
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) outlines the rules and regulations for those boating in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania boating laws state that boat operators should:
- Not operate a watercraft recklessly or negligently, including speeding near shorelines, docks, swimmers, or other boats, especially within 100 feet.
- Avoid high speeds with passengers standing in vessels less than 20 feet long and riding outside designated areas.
- Not weave through traffic or cause boats to become airborne near other vessels. Maintain slow speeds near other boats, towed individuals, and avoid carrying passengers on swim platforms or ladders.
Additional legal requirements include:
- No one under 12 can operate personal watercraft or boats over 25 horsepower.
- Those born after January 1, 1982, must have a Boating Safety Education Certificate for such vessels.
- Electric-powered crafts need state registration, while underpowered vessels need either registration or launch permits at state parks.
- All aboard must have USCG-approved life jackets, and boats must not exceed their maximum capacity. Additionally, boats must have readily available fire extinguishers.
When Should You Report a Boating Accident in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania boating accidents must reported if the accident results in:
- The death or disappearance of any person,
- Injuries requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, and/or
- Property damage exceeding $2,000
The boat operator must report the incident to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) within 48 hours if the accident involved death, disappearance, or injuries beyond first aid. If the accident simply resulted in more than $2,000 worth of property damage, the accident must be reported within 10 days of the incident.
Causes of Boating Accidents in Eastern Pennsylvania
Some of the most common causes of boating accidents include:
- Boat Operator Inexperience: Inexperienced boat operators often underestimate how difficult it can be to safely maintain control of their vessel alongside other vessels and obstacles through PA waterways.
- Drug or Alcohol Use: Drug and alcohol use are some of the most common causes of boating accidents in Pennsylvania. The consumption of drugs or alcohol while operating a boat can significantly impair cognitive abilities, coordination, and reaction times, increasing the risk of recreational boating accidents.
- Reckless Boat Operation: Reckless behaviors such as speeding, weaving through traffic, and ignoring navigational rules can pose a serious danger to occupants and others out on the water and are one of the leading causes of boating accidents in Pennsylvania. This often results in collisions, capsizings, and other avoidable recreational boating accidents.
- Mechanical Issues: Some boat accidents occur as a result of mechanical failures like engine malfunctions, steering problems, or electrical issues. Improper repairs, old equipment, or a lack of proper maintenance can contribute to these mechanical failures, leading to boating accidents and serious injuries.
- Lack of Safety Equipment: Accidents on the water can escalate in severity when vessels lack essential safety equipment. This includes life jackets, fire extinguishers, navigation lights, and distress signals. Without proper safety gear onboard, occupants are at greater risk during emergencies or accidents, potentially leading to more significant injuries or fatalities.
According to Pennsylvania boating statistics, a majority of recreational boating accidents in the state in 2022 were the result of collisions with other vehicles and capsizing. However, it’s important to note that these numbers are only based on the reported boating accidents, and do not include accidents where there were no serious injuries, fatalities and/or did not result in significant property damage.
Common Boating Accident Injuries in Pennsylvania
Boating accidents can cause boat occupants or others out on the water to suffer a wide range of severe injuries. Some of the most common types of PA boating accident injuries include:
- Drowning and Near-Drowning: Due to the presence of water, many boat accident victims suffer from drowning or near-drowning injuries from falling overboard, especially when safety measures are ignored.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Our Easton TBI lawyers understand the force of impact can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) like concussions or severe brain trauma.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Boating accidents can also lead to spinal cord injuries, which are often caused by sudden impacts or falls onboard. These injuries may cause paralysis, loss of sensation, or impaired mobility. Our Easton spinal cord injury lawyer can help secure financial compensation for extensive medical bills and rehabilitation.
- Broken Bones: Boating accidents often result in broken bones as a result of falls onboard the vessel or collisions with other objects. Boating accident fractures can occur in the arms, legs, ribs, or other skeletal structures, leading to pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Emotional Distress: In addition to physical injuries, boating accidents can cause significant mental distress for victims and their families. Trauma from boating accidents can lead to PTSD or exacerbate any existing conditions.
Can You Sue for a Boating Accident Injury in Pennsylvania?
If you have been injured in a Pennsylvania boating accident, you can sue a negligent person or multiple parties responsible for the incident. Boat operators and other parties have a duty to act reasonably and safely when out on the water, so when a person fails to act reasonably, they can be held financially liable for their negligence, typically with the help of an Easton personal injury lawyer.
Additionally, seasoned Easton personal injury lawyers will explore possibilities of other parties who may not have been identified at the onset of legal proceedings.
In instances where an employee caused a boating accident, victims of boating accidents might also have a claim against the employer for failure to exercise reasonable care in the hiring or supervising processes.
It’s beneficial to consider additional liability, especially if the primary defendant lacks sufficient resources or insurance coverage to compensate fully for your losses. For instance, pursuing claims against an employer often means accessing their liability insurance, which is more likely to cover your damages comprehensively.
Easton Boating Accident Personal Injury Claim
When boating accidents are caused by negligence, the at-fault party can be held financially responsible for any severe injuries or property damage that resulted. If you have been injured in a boating accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim and recover compensation for some of your losses.
These personal injury claims aim to provide compensation for various damages, including medical expenses for present and future medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other related losses. By filing a personal injury claim, injury victims can seek financial recovery for their losses and hold responsible parties accountable for their actions.
Fatal Boating Accident Claims in Easton
Unfortunately, some boating accidents end in fatality, leaving the victim’s family to suffer from the sudden loss of their loved one. If your immediate family member died in a boating accident in Pennsylvania, our Easton wrongful death lawyers may be able to help you file a wrongful death claim.
These claims help ensure that negligent boat operators or other negligent persons are held responsible for these kinds of devastating accidents.
How an Easton Boating Accident Attorney Can Help
If eligible, your Easton boating accident attorney will then be able to gather evidence, including boating accident reports, medical records, eyewitness testimonies, and any other recorded evidence, to establish liability and prove fault. From there, your Easton boat accident lawyer can engage in negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company, and can negotiate a boating accident settlement. If your boat accident attorney can’t secure a fair settlement, then they can take your personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death claim against the at-fault party through the court’s legal proceedings.
Boating accidents can be catastrophic and can cause serious, life-altering injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered from a boating accident in Pennsylvania, contact Easton boat accident lawyer Ed Shaughnessy today. He and his legal team can provide you with the support and legal resources you need to receive maximum compensation.
Compensation for Boating Accident Injuries in Easton, PA
In Pennsylvania, victims of boating accidents may be able to recover compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Lost earning potential
- Property damage
- Permanent disability
- Disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Funeral and burial expenses if the accident results in a fatality
The specific amount of compensation a person may be entitled to will depend on the circumstances of the accident, the extent of injuries, and the skill of their legal counsel. Having an experienced Easton personal injury attorney can help ensure you can seek compensation for all of your losses.
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations on personal injury claims is typically two years from the date of the accident. So, victims have a two-year window from when the accident occurred to seek compensation for their injuries. If you’ve been injured in a boating accident, a personal injury lawyer can help ensure your claim is filed on time.
Easton Boating Accident Lawyers
At the Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy, our Easton boat accident attorney team is dedicated to providing boating accident victims with the legal support they need to seek compensation for their losses.
Whether you were seriously injured in a boating accident or your loved one died as a result of a serious boat crash, our Easton boating accident lawyers are here to help with legal recourse. We’ll investigate the unique circumstances surrounding your accident, gather evidence of the incident, and establish liability in your personal injury case, ensuring you can receive fair compensation for your losses.
Call 610-258-9955 or fill out our form to schedule a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer regarding your case.
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