Fort Lupton Boat Accident Lawyer
While many people do not consider Colorado waterways to be as dangerous as our roadways, the truth is that people are injured every year in Colorado from boat accidents. Additionally, since boats are not equipped with seatbelts, airbags, or other safety devices to protect their occupants, seemingly small boating accidents could result in serious injuries. According to the United States Coast Guard Recreation Boating Safety Statistics, in 2018 alone, Colorado experienced 28 boating accidents, which resulted in 15 injuries and six deaths.
A Fort Lupton boat accident lawyer may be able to help you recover damages to help you on your way towards monetary and emotional recovery if you or a family member has been hurt in a boat accident in Colorado. For more information, or to get started on a case, call an experienced attorney today.
Types of Boating Accidents
According to the United States Coast Guard Recreation Boating Safety Statistics, boating accidents in Colorado have declined in recent years. Every year, however, there are still serious boat accidents. In 2018, the most common types of boating accidents in the United States were:
- Collisions with other boats
- Collisions with fixed objects
- Flooding/swamping
- Grounding
- Falls overboard
Causes of Boat Accidents in Fort Lupton
The U.S. Coast Guard lists the following as the most common factors that caused boating accidents in 2018:
- Operator inattention
- Improper lookout
- Operator inexperience
- Machinery failure
- Excessive speed
- Alcohol use
- Force of wake/wave
- Weather
- Navigation rules violation
- Hazardous waters
In addition to the person at the helm of the boat being deemed at fault in a boating accident, other parties may also be held responsible for boating accidents, such as the boat manufacturer or the person responsible for maintaining the boat and replacing any defective or worn out parts. A boat accident attorney in Fort Lupton could help boat accident victims recover damages by helping to determine who is at fault for their injuries.
Time Limits and Potential Recoverable Damages
According to Colorado Revised Statutes Sections 13-80-101 and 13-80-102, a boat accident victim must file a lawsuit within three years of the date of a boating accident. If the boat accident results in the tragic and wrongful death of a loved one, surviving family members must file a lawsuit within two years.
A Fort Lupton boat accident lawyer could help a victim pursue several different types of compensatory damages. A victim could recover payment for all actual damages accrued or expected to accrue for medical costs, past and future lost wages, diminished earning capacity, travel expenses, and legal fees. The law limits non-economic pain and suffering damages to $468,010, or at certain times, $936,030, but, if the injuries resulting from the boat accident result in demonstrated permanent “physical impairment or disfigurement,” then there is no cap on those pain and suffering damages.
How a Fort Lupton Boat Accident Attorney Could Help
Call a Fort Lupton boat accident lawyer as soon as possible if you or a loved one has been injured through a boat accident. A qualified attorney could help guide you through the complicated legal process by objectively, yet compassionately, analyzing all of the facts involved, and by utilizing their years of experience in dealing with similar stressful situations. Schedule a consultation today to get started on your case.
