Salt Lake City Boating Accident Lawyer
Utah has a diverse array of landscapes, including mountains, deserts, and also some of the most scenic lakes in the United States. With over 100 boatable waterways, it ranks number 6 in the U.S. for boatable miles of water per person. With popular Lake Powell in the Glenn Canyon National Recreation Area, the dramatic depths of Yuba Lake, beautiful Bear Lake, and the Deer Creek Reservoir, Utah’s bountiful lakes attract boaters from within the state and serve as dream destinations for boat owners from around the country.
Sadly, Utah also ranks as one of the country’s top states for boating accidents, including those with drowning fatalities. Even worse, bad weather and hazardous water conditions aren’t the leading causes of boating accidents; instead, studies show that the majority of boating accidents in Utah occur during calm waters and high visibility.
If you or your family member sustained significant injuries in a boating accident and the operator of another vessel was at fault, you have the right and recourse to recover damages related to the accident. Contact Handy & Handy Attorneys at Law today so we can put our years of experience navigating the unique arena of boating injury law to work on your accident claim.
How Do Utah Boating Accidents Commonly Occur?
Most people anticipate a fun, sunny day in the waves when they step onto a boat, but thousands of people experience injuries each year in boating accidents. Some of the top causes of boating accidents include the following:
- Operator intoxication
- Inexperienced operators
- Boating at excessive speeds
- Operator inattention or distraction
- Violating navigational rules
- Improper lookout
- Unfamiliarity or disregard of safety laws and common rules of the water
Every one of the above common causes of boat accidents constitutes negligence under the laws of liability in Utah. When a boat operator causes an accident due to negligence, recklessness, or wrongdoing—such as operating a boat under the influence of alcohol—and you suffer an injury as a direct result, the boat accident attorneys at Handy & Handy can help you recover damages.
Comparative Fault in Utah Boating Accidents
Utah operates under a system of comparative negligence for accidents, including boating accidents. If you are less than 50% at fault for your injuries, you can recover compensation from the liable party, typically paid through their insurance policy. This means you can still recover damages even if you played a role in the accident as long as the other party’s liability was 50% or greater. Sadly, insurance companies sometimes manipulate the comparative fault system to try to undervalue or deny your claim when you played no part in the accident. A seasoned boating accident lawyer knows how to prove liability by showing the following with evidence-backed clarity:
- That the party at fault owed you and others on the water a duty of care to prevent injuries by taking reasonable precautions and following the rules of waterways
- That they breached that duty of care through an act of negligence, recklessness, or wrongdoing
- That the breach directly caused your injury
- That you’ve sustained real damages from the injury and deserve full compensation.
Why Choose Us For Your Utah Boating Accident Lawyers?
At Handy & Handy, we exclusively defend clients who’ve suffered injuries in accidents, including boating accidents. With over 30 years of combined experience, we provide close personalized attention to each client and their unique accident case. We have a track record of success in helping our clients gain compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity for disabilities caused by an accident
- Pain and suffering
Reach out to our Salt Lake City boating accident lawyers today so we can begin a strategy to craft a compelling case for recovering your damages. With our contingency-based payment method, we only get paid after you gain an ample settlement or court award for your damages.