With Pyramid Lake to the north and Lake Tahoe to the south, boaters are far from an uncommon sight in Reno and the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, more boats out on the water anywhere means more opportunities for one person’s negligence to cause multiple people to get hurt. If you have recently been injured in a situation like this, you may have a complicated path toward financial recovery ahead of you.
Guidance from a Reno boat accident lawyer can make a huge difference in how effectively you can demand the restitution you deserve following a boat collision, operating error, or any other type of accident away from land. From complying with accident reporting requirements to identifying all possible damages to factor into your claim, our dedicated Reno personal injury lawyers at Shook & Stone could provide irreplaceable assistance through every step of the legal process.
Are Boat Accident Claims Different from Other Personal Injury Cases?
For the most part, filing suit over a boat accident works the same as doing so over any other type of accident caused by another person’s misconduct. Obtaining financial recovery through your claim will still require proving that a specific reckless or careless act by someone else was the direct and primary cause of the accident.
However, there are also several important ways in which boating accidents differ from most accidents on land, with one of the most significant being stricter reporting requirements for those involved. Any person involved in a boating accident in Nevada that results in $2,000 worth of property damage or more must file a written accident report with the state Department of Wildlife within ten days of the incident. If there is any physical injury, the reporting deadline is shortened to 48 hours.
Boat licensing requirements also work differently from those for operating a motor vehicle on land, which can sometimes affect liability for maritime collisions. A knowledgeable Reno boat accident attorney can go into further detail about how state law might impact a particular claim during a private consultation.
How Comparative Fault Could Impact Recovery
A comprehensive lawsuit or settlement demand built around a boating accident in Nevada can seek restitution for both economic and non-economic losses, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Physical pain from injuries
- Vessel repair/replacement costs
- Various forms of psychological distress
However, any injured person found partially to blame for causing their injuries through their own negligence may not be able to recover the full value of their damages.
Under Nevada Revised Statutes § 41.141, civil courts can reduce the total value of a personal injury damage award in proportion to the injured plaintiff’s share of total fault for their accident. If that share exceeds 50 percent, the plaintiff may be barred from recovery altogether. Support from a capable lawyer can be key to contesting allegations of comparative fault and getting the most money possible from a boat accident claim in Reno.
Get in Touch with a Reno Boat Accident Attorney
In many ways, accidents on the water can be even more dangerous than accidents on land, and they can be trickier to file suit over as well. Fortunately, help is available from dedicated legal professionals with a track record of favorable case results obtained on behalf of people just like you.
You have rights after getting hurt while boating due to someone else’s negligence, and a Reno boat accident lawyer at Shook & Stone could help you enforce them. Call today to learn more.
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