Terre Haute Boat Accident Lawyer

In Terre Haute and the surrounding areas, boating is popular, especially on the Wabash River. Collisions on the water can be devastating or even fatal. When a boat accident happens, the injuries can be incredibly severe, and there is an inherent risk of drowning. When an accident occurs because of a boat operator’s negligence, you may be entitled to pursue a personal injury lawsuit for financial compensation.

Knowing your rights and the potential strength of your case can help increase your chances of recovering damages. Let an experienced Terre Haute boat accident lawyer file your claim and help you through the complicated civil claims process.

Types of Boats Involved in Accidents

Any type of watercraft may be eligible for civil litigation, as long as the accident is caused by someone’s negligence. Examples of boats that may be involved in collisions on the water include, but are not limited to:

• Fishing boats
• Speed boats
• Pontoon and party boats
• Commercial ships
• Kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards
• Ferries

The type of boat involved in an accident will impact who can be held liable for the ensuing damages. For example, collisions involving ferries may create civil liability for the government or private entity that runs them. Similarly, commercial ships and fishing boats may be attributable to the negligence of the companies that own and profit from them.

How Boat Accidents Occur in Terre Haute

To succeed in a boating accident lawsuit, you must prove that the defendant’s negligence directly caused your injuries.

Examples of boat operator negligence include, but are not limited to:

• Failure to observe other boaters
• Lack of training or licensing
• Alcohol or drug intoxication
• Reckless operation and excessive speeding
• Defective parts or boats
• Failure to provide safety equipment
• Unkempt or exposed wires leading to a fire
• Boating in unsafe weather conditions

When a boater’s negligence causes your injuries, our qualified accident attorneys in Terre Haute may be able to help you secure compensation.

Comparative Fault in Boat Collision Cases

Indiana Code §24-51-2-5 requires local courts to apply the comparative fault test when determining liability for a person’s injuries. It states that as long as a plaintiff’s portion of fault is less than the defendant’s, they may still be able to recover a reduced amount of compensation.

A plaintiff who is 51 percent or more at fault cannot recover any damages whatsoever. Fortunately, a Terre Haute lawyer could present evidence that contradicts any allegations of shared fault to maximize your recoverable damages.

Get in Touch with a Boat Accident Attorney in Terre Haute

Traveling the waterways by boat is a fun and entertaining way to spend time in and around Terre Haute. It may even be part of your occupation. In any case, when a boat operator acts carelessly and causes you undue harm as a result, you may have the right to pursue financial compensation for your injuries and losses.

Reach out to an experienced Terre Haute boat accident lawyer today to better understand your rights.