While the Summerlin, Rhodes Ranch, Sovana, and Sun City areas are not first in most people’s minds when they think about good places for boating, nearby Lake Mead sees just about every type of freshwater craft imaginable take to the water on an average day. Unfortunately, more boats means more opportunities for irresponsible boaters to cause serious accidents.
No matter what type of accident has left you injured or who specifically was involved in causing it, a Summerlin boat accident lawyer from Shook & Stone could help you seek the justice you deserve. Our experienced personal injury attorneys know exactly how devastating an incident like this can be—both for the injured person and their loved ones, and we could work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure your case has the best possible outcome for you.
Unique Elements of Boat Accident Claims
Much like auto accidents, people involved in boating accidents while in “navigable waterways” considered part of Nevada are generally required to report that accident to the state Department of Wildlife relatively soon after it happens. Specifically, individuals involved in such an accident must submit a written accident report to the DOW within ten days of an accident that causes $2,000 or more of property damage and within 48 hours of an accident that causes any injury or fatality.
In addition, it is especially common for boating accidents near Las Vegas to involve tourists and travelers who are renting boats from a third party rather than operating their own privately owned vessel. While rental companies are not always liable for negligent behavior by people they rented to, our Summerlin boat accident attorneys could potentially help pursue a claim against a rental company that acted negligently in a way that contributed to an accident—for instance, renting a boat to someone who was visibly intoxicated at the time.
Establishing Liability for Specific Losses
Outside of the things mentioned above, though, filing suit over a boat accident in Nevada more or less works the same as suing over any other kind of accident. Either way, you will generally need to prove “negligence”—in other words, prove your injury happened specifically because of a reckless or careless action by someone else that breached a “duty of care” they owed you—to compel someone else to pay for your damages. You may also need to show that you were not at fault for your injury yourself based on your own negligence.
Through a successful lawsuit or settlement demand, it may be possible to recover for both economic and non-economic forms of harm like:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost enjoyment/quality of life
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Past and future loss of work wages and working capacity
- Personal property damage, including boat repair/replacement costs
Every case is unique, though, so it is always worth discussing recovery options with a boat injury lawyer in Summerlin before trying to pursue a claim on your own.
Contact a Summerlin Boat Accident Attorney for Assistance
Even at relatively low speeds, collisions between boats can be more dangerous than auto accidents and, all too often, deadly. If you were seriously hurt in an incident like this that you believe was the fault of another person, they—and not you—should be the one who pays for your ensuing losses.
Assistance from a Summerlin boat accident lawyer at Shook & Stone could make a world of difference in your chances of securing a favorable resolution to your claim. Call today for a free consultation to discuss your case with one of our dedicated legal professionals.
