Boating Accident Lawyer in Hillsboro

Boating in Washington County and other parts of Oregon can be a fun and entertaining experience. However, there are many risks and dangers associated with boating, and an accident can result in serious injury or death. If your or someone you love has been injured in a boating accident, you should strongly consider consulting with an attorney to discuss your legal options.

A Hillsboro boating accident lawyer can help you determine if you have a case against a negligent person or other party that may have caused you or your loved one to suffer an injury. Rizk Law’s Hillsboro personal injury lawyers are qualified to handle all types of boating accident claims, and will provide you a free, no obligation consultation to help you determine if you have a case that entitles you to compensation. We understand the difficulties that many boating accident victims experience, such as undergoing extensive medical treatment for life-threatening injuries. Our attorneys are dedicated to defending the rights of accident victims, and will represent you at no upfront cost. We will provide all of our services on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us if we recover compensation on your behalf. There is no risk in contacting us to discuss your claim.

Call 503.342.0783 if you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident.

How a Hillsboro Boating Accident Lawyer Can Help You

After a boating accident, you will need to show the at-fault party was negligent and failed to exercise reasonable care when operating the vessel. This can be difficult for many people to handle, as they may lack the knowledge and understanding needed to build a case against the party liable for their injury.

You should strongly consider contacting an attorney to discuss your claim. Rizk Law’s Hillsboro boating accident attorneys know how to show the at-fault party is liable for your injury and may help you recover the compensation you need. Our skilled attorneys may also help you in the following ways:

• Prove the other party is liable for your injury: One of the most complicated parts of a boating accident claim is proving the other party is at fault for the accident. Our Hillsboro boating accident attorneys will work to build a case that supports your claim by gathering evidence that shows beyond a doubt that a causal link exists between your injury and the other party’s negligence. This includes using your medical records, police or accident reports, witness statements and statements from your treating physician to prove the at-fault party is liable for your injury.
• Determining the value of your claim: All too often, boating accident victims accept unfair settlements from insurers that do not cover the full cost of their damages. A Hillsboro boating accident attorney will know the true value of your claim and can help you negotiate a fair settlement that compensates you for your past and future medical treatment, lost wages and future income, and other damages you suffered because of the at-fault party’s negligence.
• Communicate and negotiate with insurers: Many accident victims are unaware that insurance companies do not always have their best interest in mind. An insurer’s goal in the claims process is to reach a settlement that offers as little compensation as possible. An attorney will know how to negotiate with an insurer to make sure your claim is handled fairly. He or she will handle all communications with the insurance companies so that you are able to focus on recovering after your boating accident.
• Filing a personal injury lawsuit: If you are unable to reach a settlement that provides fair compensation, we will help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. Our Hillsboro boating accident lawyers know what it takes to bring a successful lawsuit, and will dedicate our skills and resources to proving your case. Although most lawsuits are settled out of court, we will not hesitate to pursue a trial if we are unable to reach an agreement with the at-fault party or insurance companies.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now.

Types of Boating Accidents

In 2017, more than 650 people were killed in boating accidents in the U.S., while approximately 2,600 victims suffered injuries, according to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Our Boating accident lawyers in Hillsboro are qualified to represent victims injured in boating accidents, regardless of the cause, nature or degree of their injuries. This includes pursuing compensation for:

• Run-over accidents: Swimmers, divers or passengers who fall overboard and are run-over by a vessel may suffer serious or fatal injuries. Vessel operators have a duty to carefully navigate through areas marked for swimming or diving. This includes traveling at low speeds and staying clear of areas containing diving flags or buoys.
• Overboard accidents: When a passenger falls overboard, the impact of striking the water can be traumatic. The severity of an overboard accident may depend on height of which the passenger fell or the speed in which the vessel was traveling. Victims may become unconscious or disoriented when they strike the water, increasing the risk of drowning.
• Propeller accidents: Swimmers, divers, or passengers can suffer serious injury when they make contact with the vessels propeller. This may result in severe lacerations or dismemberment. Boat owners and operators have a duty to provide clear and adequate warning of when the propeller is about to start, and that swimmers and divers should stay clear of the vessel.
• Drowning accidents: Passengers onboard a water vessel may be at risk of drowning. Dangerous conditions, lack of life jackets or floatation devices, an inability to swim, or suffering serious injury when striking the water can contribute to causing a drowning accident. Oregon requires water vessel owners and operators to comply with equipment and safety regulations to ensure passengers’ wellbeing. If a boat owner or operator does not follow these regulations, he or she may be held liable for a drowning accident.
• Slip and falls on a vessel: Boat and marine-vessel owners have an obligation to keep the decks of their vessels clear of hazards that may injure passengers. This includes wet surfaces that may cause a slip and fall accident. Boat owners must act within reasonable care to clear any known hazards on their vessel or provide passengers adequate warning of its existence.
• Collision with another vessel: When two marine vessels collide, it may be the fault of both operators. In this situation, injured passengers may be entitled to file a personal injury claim against both operators.
• Hitting another vessel’s wake: If a boat or marine vessel hits a large wake, the impact can cause instability in the vessel. This may result in passengers being tossed from their seats, striking fixed or heavy objects on the boat or being tossed overboard. Determining negligence in a wake accident can be difficult. A Hillsboro boating accident lawyer may examine the size of the wave, the speed in which the vessel was traveling, visibility of the waterway, type of marine vessel and the surrounding boat traffic to determine if the vessel’s operator can be held liable.
• Collision with an unseen object: Boat operators’ liability for colliding with an unseen object may depend on several factors. This includes the speed the vessel was traveling, whether the operator was following nautical charts, or if the boat operator failed to display reasonable caution when traveling through adverse weather conditions that would affect visibility.

Call 503.342.0783 if you believe another was at fault for your boating accident.

Causes of Boating Accidents

Many boating accidents that result in victims’ injury or death were caused by another’s negligence. Some of the most common causes of boating accidents include:

Common Boating Accident Injuries

Due to the severity of a boating accident, victims may suffer a wide-range of injuries. These injuries may be minor or significant, and may include:

If you believe you or your loved one was injured in a boating accident caused by another’s negligence, contact Rizk Law as soon as possible. We will review the cause of your boating accident to determine if its operator or another party involved may be held liable for your injury.

Contact us at 503.342.0783 to schedule a free claim evaluation.

Compensation for a Boating Accident

If you have suffered an injury in a boating accident caused by another’s negligence, you may be entitled to pursue compensation from the at-fault party. As knowledgeable boating accident lawyers in Hillsboro, we understand how to properly evaluate your claim to determine which damages you may be able to recover. This includes compensation for:

Boating accident victims who are pursuing compensation from the person, entity or corporation liable for their injury must be aware that Oregon imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases, according to ORS § 12.110(1).

The two-year deadline for pursuing compensation begins on the date your boating accident occurred, or when you first discovered your injury. If you do not take legal action within two years from the date of your boating accident, your case may be dismissed and you cannot recover compensation for your injury. For this reason, it is imperative that you contact Rizk Law’s Hillsboro boating accident lawyers as soon as possible.

Call 503.342.0783 to find out if you may be entitled to compensation.

Contact Rizk Law for a Free Consultation

If you or someone you love was injured in a boating accident caused by another’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. However, it may benefit you to work with an experienced lawyer when filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.

Rizk Law’s Hillsboro boating accident attorneys have detailed knowledge about Oregon’s negligence and marine safety laws, and will help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve. We are dedicated to helping our clients recover maximum compensation for their injuries, and will provide you a free and confidential consultation to determine which legal options may be available for your situation.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form to get started.