“Brianna’s Law” took effect on January 1, 2020, which means that those who own boats with engines must take a boating safety course before setting sail. Individuals may take the course either in four 2-hour segments, or two 4-hour segments. The title, “Brianna’s Law,” refers to a devastating boating accident that took place about 15 years ago where an 11-year old was killed. Many feel that the law is long past due, and the legislation, therefore, has drawn widespread support. The ultimate goal of the legislation is to keep all boaters and their waterways safe. If you are caught operating a motorboat without completing the mandatory safety course, you will most likely face a $200 fine.
That being said, despite the mandatory boating safety course, there will, inevitably, still be boating accidents, largely in part to boaters disobeying common-sense safety rules. Though boating season in New York is a ways off, you must know what to do, should you ever become injured in a boating accident.
Additionally, if you have been wrongfully injured in a boating accident last boating season, it is not too late to file a personal injury lawsuit. In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, is, generally, three years, which means individuals are granted three years from the date of their accident to file a personal injury claim against a negligent party. If you find yourself in this situation, you should read on and reach out to our experienced New York City personal injury attorney to learn more about how our firm can help.
How do boating accidents happen?
Though boating accidents are not always a direct result of negligence, the truth is, more often than not, they are. Some of the most frequent contributors to boating accidents are as follows:
- Operator inexperience
- Lack of safety equipment on board at all times
- Boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding
- Colliding with fixed objects, such as giant boulders or other boats
- Inclement weather conditions, such as rain or thunderstorms causing rough and dangerous waters
What do I need to do to win financial compensation for a boating accident injury?
If you have been injured in a boating accident, the most important thing you can do is hire an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the claims process. Our firm will work to recover various types of evidence, including pictures of the accident or its aftermath, witness statements verifying your claim, medical documents detailing the severity of your injuries, police reports of the incident, and more.
Contact our experienced New York City firm
At Mark L. Bodner, P.C., we are committed to guiding clients through each step of the medical malpractice and personal injury claims process. Our firm understands how traumatic it can be when you become a victim of negligence. We are prepared to fight on your behalf to help you recover a maximum compensation award. Contact our firm today.