Huntington Beach Boat Accident Attorney

Boating is a popular hobby in Huntington Beach, with many people either owning their own boat or renting one for a day. Our great weather makes Huntington Beach a destination for all sorts of boaters, including those from Northern California. Sadly, the good times will come to a swift end when a boat capsizes, crashes, or otherwise tosses occupants overboard. Suddenly, boaters are in for a fight for their lives. Many will struggle with shocking injuries even after safely getting to shore.

At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we are committed to the rights of accident victims. Don’t simply hope to receive a generous settlement for your bodily injuries and medical bills. Instead, contact our firm to schedule a free consultation with our legal team. You might be entitled to financial compensation for any injuries suffered in a boat accident. A Huntington Beach boat accident attorney is eager to explain the process in more detail.

Common Boat Accidents in Huntington Beach

Our clients are injured in many of the most common accidents:

• Wake wave incidents. A larger boat can create a giant wave in its wake, and a smaller vessel could get rocked after hitting it. Many passengers are tossed overboard after hitting a wake wave.
• Running aground. A boat might actually run aground when an operator is not paying attention, or if the water is shallower than expected.
• Collisions. Your boat might collide with other boats, docks, or even smaller watercraft.
• Fires. Any fire is dangerous away from shore. People might start jumping in the water to avoid getting burned or out of fear of an explosion.
• Capsizing. The boat might sink due to defects or after an accident rips a hole in the hull. Occupants are forced into the water, and there might be insufficient lifeboats or vests.

After an accident, obtain immediate medical treatment once you return to shore. And then pick up the phone and call El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers to find out more about how we can help. We are familiar with most types of boating accidents.

Who is Responsible for Your Accident?

Each boat accident is unique. There are many considerations that go into determining fault:

• Were you operating a vessel or riding in it?
• Do you own the boat, or did you rent or borrow someone else’s?
• Did you suffer an injury or did a loved one die in the accident?

If you were hurt while operating the vessel, then the boat might be defective, or a different vessel crashed into you. Many operators are distracted or fatigued. Some drink alcohol while out on the water, which makes them impaired.

A passenger might be injured by their own operator who was negligent, or they could also suffer injuries when a boat defect causes an accident. Let us review the facts.

We might end up seeking compensation from:

• A boat operator for negligence
• A manufacturer for a defect on the boat which leads to capsizing or a fire
• A boat rental company for renting a dangerous boat
• The boat owner for failing to keep the vessel in good condition or failing to provide sufficient life vests or lifeboats

Fighting for Compensation

Accidents are major events. Someone thrown overboard could possibly drown if they are unconscious or suffering from serious bodily injury. Even near-drowning accidents can lead to permanent brain impairment and dramatically change lives.

Our clients seek compensation for:

• All medical treatment for injuries, including future care
• Lost wages when a victim can’t work, including loss of earning capacity
• Physical or bodily pain
• Mental and emotional anguish
• Boat repairs
• Wrongful death/survival action damages

There are some critical limitations on the ability to receive compensation. For example, the person who hit you might lack any money or insurance. It’s hard to squeeze money out of someone who is broke. Another limitation is comparative fault. If you were operating a vessel while distracted, you are possibly at fault for the collision with another boat.

Under California law, any comparative negligence will reduce a victim’s compensation. If you were 75% to blame, then you’d receive a mere 25% of your damages from the defendant. Comparative negligence can take a big bite out of any settlement. Our job as your lawyer is to maximize the other side’s negligence while minimizing your own.

How El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers Can Help

Our firm knows how to build up a boat accident case properly. We begin by gathering as much evidence as we can. We might inspect vessels, talk to dozens of witnesses, and search for cell phone pictures or videos. We then map out how the accident happened to identify fault.

We also excel at calculating the settlement value of a claim. You basically get one chance to obtain a fair settlement for an accident. Let us determine how much to seek for bodily pain, sleeplessness, irritability, and future medical care. We can then open settlement talks with the other side.

A boat accident case requires an individually crafted litigation strategy. Sometimes, we need to rush to the courthouse door to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. (Basically, you get two years to file a lawsuit, in most cases). Alternatively, we might aggressively negotiate for months to bring a case to a satisfactory resolution.

Reach out to learn more. We have obtained many settlements for badly injured victims, including several multimillion dollar awards. Let us put our experience to work for you.

Call Our Firm to Schedule a Free Consultation

There are advantages to contacting an experienced Huntington Beach boat accident attorney soon after an accident. We can find more useful evidence before it disappears or before a boat is fixed. We will also begin filling out forms and protect you from annoying insurance adjusters who wish to pepper you with questions. Our services have helped many people focus on healing from a traumatic accident.

Call El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers today, (714) 536-9366. We offer no-risk consultations without charge. We also never charge a fee unless we win financial compensation for you.

Our Huntington Beach Office

1120 Pacific Coast Highway

Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Phone: 714-536-9366