Posted: August 12, 2014
Boating is one of America’s greatest past times, but it can quickly turn dangerous when people behave in a reckless and dangerous manner. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a boating accident, it’s important to know your rights. The New Jersey boating accident lawyers at Eisbrouch Marsh, LLC are here to help by working hard to get the compensation to which you’re entitled.
Our NJ personal injury attorneys are pleased to offer you a free consultation to discuss your case and see if you need to take further action. You may be entitled to monetary damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and any other losses you’ve incurred.
New Jersey boating laws
New Jersey has strict rules and regulations in places for boaters, to ensure this popular activity is also a safe one. Victims injured in a boating accident may have the right to file a claim against the owner of the boat if a failure to follow proper procedures led to their injury. In general, victims injured in a boating accident must be able to prove the accident was a result of someone else’s negligence in order to sue them for damages. This means there must be a way to prove the other party behaved in a reckless manner, which caused the injuries.
Generally speaking, there are four main types of boating accidents, including:
- Collision with another boat
- Collision with the wake of another boat
- Boat is struck by wave
- Boat collides with another object or land
Boat owners are required to have safety equipment on board ─ even on very small vessels. This includes objects such as life jackets for each passenger, navigational lights, loud whistles, flares, and more. Failing to have these items on board can put the lives of all passengers at risk. Boat owners who choose not to follow these guidelines could face negligence claims.
Boating accidents in NJ make headlines
After the long, cold winter, summer couldn’t come soon enough for many New Jersey residents. The waterways have been filled with boats this season, and unfortunately this has already resulted in a number of accidents.
On July 20, a 45-year-old man went missing after a boating accident. Coast Guard helicopters and boat crews combed the waters of Longport for any signs of Andrew Biddle, after he disappeared around 11:30pm, when a pontoon boat collided with an unlit buoy and hit a jetty. Another man, 23-year-old Justin Belz was able to swim to safety, sustaining only minor injuries. The cause of the accident is currently unknown.
On July 28, a 40-year old Paterson man drowned in a boating accident on Greenwood Lake. The victim, Ronald Huffin, jumped off the open bow of a boat, swam to the stern of the vessel, then disappeared. His body was found five hours later. An investigation into the accident is currently underway.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a watercraft accident, and you need the help of veteran NJ boat accident attorneys, call 201-342-5545 today to schedule a complimentary case review with a member of our firm. Our lawyers can assess liability and determine whether you have grounds for filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Resources
- NorthJersey.com, Paterson Man Drowns in Greenwood Lake Boating Accident http://www.northjersey.com/news/paterson-man-drowns-in-greenwood-lake-boating-accident-1.1058666
- NBC Philadelphia, Man Missing After Boat Crash in Longport http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Man-Missing-After-Boat-Crash-267896641.html
- AllLaw.com, Personal Injury Claims and Liability After a Boat Accident http://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/personal-injury/claims-liability-boat-accident.html
