Irvine Boat Accident Lawyer

There may not be many navigable waterways within the city limits, but Irvine’s close proximity to Newport Bay and to the Pacific Ocean means that there are plenty of recreational and commercial boaters who work, live, and sometimes even store their vessels here. Unfortunately, the more boats that are in the water at a time, the greater the chance is of a reckless or careless operator causing an accident that results in serious or even life-threatening injuries to multiple people involved.

If you have been hurt in a collision or any other kind of incident out on the water caused by someone else’s misconduct, our Irvine boat accident lawyer could help you proactively enforce your right to civil recovery. From beginning to end of your legal proceedings, a personal injury attorney from our team could be your steadfast ally and fight tirelessly to get you paid fairly for every loss your unique accident has caused you.

How Fault Works in Boat Accident Claims

Filing suit over a boating accident on the water works more or less the same as filing suit over an auto accident on land. People involved in both types of accidents have to follow specific reporting requirements afterward. Civil fault for both types of accidents typically revolves around which person directly involved in the incident caused it to occur through a reckless or careless breach of duty, such as a violation of local rules for boat navigation or operating under the influence of alcohol.

Importantly, the fact that someone was injured in a boat accident does not absolve them of being held partially at fault for causing the accident through their own negligent conduct. In fact, as our Irvine boat injury attorney could further explain, any percentage of comparative fault assigned to an accident victim along these lines could then be held against them by a court or insurance company as a proportional reduction from the value of their final damage award or settlement offer.

Are Rental Companies Liable for Boat Collisions?

Especially in tourist-heavy areas like Newport Beach, many collisions and other accidents out on the water involve at least one vessel that has been rented for a short period of time rather than being owned by the person who was operating it at the time of the incident. Unfortunately, rental companies are generally not legally liable for accidents involving their rental boats since all liability for the safe operation of those vessels passes on to the renter as soon as they take the vessel into their possession.

There may be an exception to that rule if a boat-related injury occurs primarily because of insufficient mechanical maintenance of a rental boat or if a rental company was significantly negligent in how they rented the boat in the first place—for example, by letting someone who was visibly drunk take the boat out of their marina. Our lawyers in Irvine could help examine the circumstances leading up to a boat accident and offer guidance about who may hold civil liability for ensuing injuries and losses.

Consider Working with Our Irvine Boat Accident Attorneys

Spending a day out on the water should be enjoyable for everyone involved, or at the very least, free of unreasonably dangerous hazards. Unfortunately, not everyone who strikes out from land is as responsible as they should be, and their misconduct can sometimes have devastating repercussions for other people around them.

Working closely with our Irvine boat accident lawyer after being hurt through negligence of this nature could make a world of difference in how much money you are able to recover for your unique losses. Call today for a confidential consultation.