Las Vegas Boating Accident Attorney
Lake Mead is an attractive location for boating right outside Las Vegas, and Nevada has many miles of waterways for boaters to enjoy. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge Nevada’s strict laws regarding boating, both in terms of operator compliance and general safety. A boat operator will generally absorb liability if he or she causes an accident that results in injuries, fatalities, or property damage, so it’s important to know how to avoid these situations. After you or a loved one suffers injuries in a boating accident outside Las Vegas, contact the attorneys at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP right away.
Nevada Boating Regulations
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) regulates boating and boating licensing in the state and provides a free, comprehensive digital boater’s guide for using Nevada’s waterways. NDOW requires all boat operators to complete a safety course and meet the state’s basic requirements for boating. Whether you bring your own boat to one of Nevada’s waterways or plan to rent one from an NDOW marina, it’s imperative that you understand your obligations as a boat operator. The guide includes clear directions for boat operators in different situations.
NDOW regulations dictate that every boat should have one serviceable lifejacket for each passenger. Additionally, those lifejackets must fit the intended users, so the boat should have child-size lifejackets for children riding in the boat. Boats over 16 feet must also have a throw-able lifejacket for each passenger, as well. When using a personal watercraft such as a jet ski, each person riding the watercraft must wear a lifejacket. Nevada law also requires personal watercraft to have a lanyard-style cutoff switch that the operator must wear. This will ensure the engine stops if the operator falls from the boat, disconnecting the lanyard.
How Boating Accidents Happen
Boating accidents happen for many of the same reasons as car accidents, including operator inattention, inclement weather, device failures, and boating under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. If you or a loved one suffered injuries and other damages from a boating accident, it’s imperative for you to determine the cause of the accident and decide whether another person, such as the boat’s operator, is responsible for your damages.
A boat accident can cause serious injuries. Engine problems can lead to fires or explosions, and faulty lifejackets or a lack of lifejackets on the vessel can be fatal problems. When a boat strikes a swimmer, death by drowning is a very real possibility, and people who fall out of boats may suffer broken bones or other injuries from submerged hazards or from the boat’s propeller. If you lost a loved one in a boating accident, speak with our Las Vegas wrongful death lawyers to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Filing Your Lawsuit
The first step in filing your boating accident lawsuit in Nevada is contacting a reliable attorney to handle your case. The boating accident attorneys in Las Vegas from Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP will help you build a strong case against the negligent party responsible for your boating accident damages. Personal injury law hinges on the legal concept of negligence, and the plaintiff in a boating accident case will need to prove the different aspects of negligence in court to succeed. First, the plaintiff must prove the defendant owed a duty of care during the given situation and failed to uphold that duty. Next, the plaintiff must show the court the extent of his or her damages and provide evidence that they are the direct results of the defendant’s negligence.
A boating accident can cause serious injuries, fatalities, and significant property damage. A plaintiff in a boating accident case may secure compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and property damage with a personal injury claim. The Las Vegas personal injury lawyers at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. We’ll review your boating accident case and let you know how we can help you. Call us at (702) 560-5520 today!