St. Petersburg Boat Accident Lawyer | Water Vessel Collisions

St. Petersburg is home to many gorgeous lakes, like Lake Maggiore, Crescent Lake, Mirror Lake, and others. Therefore, it attracts boating enthusiasts from far and wide who come to enjoy work and leisure time on the water. But amid all the fun, we feel growing concern about boating accidents happening in our great city.

Most boating accidents occur due to other people’s negligence or even a defect in the boat. Call a seasoned personal injury attorney immediately if you or someone close to you got hurt while boating. A St. Petersburg boat accident lawyer will help you understand your legal options and pursue fair compensation for your injuries.

At Perenich Law, our experienced personal injury team can guide you through this challenging process. We have successfully represented clients in numerous boating accident cases, and we are ready to help you get justice. Contact us for your free consultation.

Why Should I Hire a St. Petersburg Boating Accident Lawyer?

Let’s face it—boating laws are not easy to understand. It requires knowledge of laws, regulations, procedures, insurance policies, and many more things that may confuse those unfamiliar with the law. You need to know when you’re dealing with state civil laws or federal marine laws. Knowing what to do when you sustain injuries on the water due to another person’s negligence can challenge even some lawyers.

Our qualified St. Petersburg boat accident attorneys can explain the entire legal process to you and fill you in on all the steps necessary to pursue justice. Other reasons you might want to hire our dedicated injury lawyers include:

You Can Rest Easy Knowing Professionals Are Handling Your Case

A capable St. Petersburg boating injury lawyer will take care of everything related to your case. At Perenich Law, we handle paperwork, file documents, negotiate settlements, and represent our clients in court if necessary. You will not feel overburdened with paperwork like medical records, police reports, or depositions. Knowing that a professional is handling your case professionally and competently offers peace of mind.

A Lawyer’s Experience Can Help You Recover Fair Compensation

If another person’s negligence injured you, you deserve compensation for your damages. At Perenich Law, we believe that every victim should receive fair compensation for their injuries. We fight tooth and nail for our clients to obtain maximum compensation for their losses.

You Can Focus on Recovering From Your Injury

Suppose you want to focus on recovering from your injury instead of dealing with the legal aspects of your case. In that case, you need to hire an experienced St. Petersburg water vessel accident attorney. A qualified professional will take over all the details of your case so that you can concentrate on healing.

You Can Trust Us to Handle Everything Related to Your Case

At Perenich Law, we pride ourselves on providing quality service at reasonable rates. Unlike other firms, we never charge upfront fees or hidden costs. We ask for a retainer fee when you choose to hire us. If there are any expenses associated with your case, like filing fees or travel expenses, we will discuss them during your free consultation.

You don’t have to go through the stress and frustration of trying to file a case yourself. Instead, you can let us do the legwork for you. Our lawyers have years of experience handling boating accident cases. We will be able to quickly assess your situation and recommend the most appropriate course of action.

You Get to Work Directly With One of Our Lawyers

At Perenich Law, you work directly with one of our boating accident lawyers. That means you will always know who is working on your case. You will not have to wait weeks or months before finding out what is going on in your case.

You Get Thoughtful Legal Advice

When you hire a lawyer, you expect them to provide advice and guidance regarding your case. However, you may not expect your lawyer to be able to answer all of your questions right off the bat. At Perenich Law, our lawyers are highly skilled in personal injury law. We have select lawyers specializing in maritime accidents and commercial litigation, allowing them to handle even the most complex cases.

A Good Lawyer Will Not Fear Big Companies and Their Insurers

The insurance companies that represent large corporations are often powerful. They use their resources to intimidate and bully people into accepting unfair settlements or avoid paying compensation altogether. We will not let that happen. Our lawyers have the legal expertise to stand up to the bigwigs and fight tooth and nail for justice.

Who Is Responsible for a St. Petersburg Boat Accident?

If you were injured in a boating accident in St. Petersburg, you could file a personal injury lawsuit against the person responsible for the accident, like the boat operator, owner, or manufacturer. Take a closer look:

The Boat Operator

A boat operator owes others a duty to operate their vessel safely. If a boat operator fails to do so, they could be liable for your injuries. For example, if a boat operator negligently navigates their vessel into another boat, injuring you, the boat operator could be liable for damages.

Other examples include:

Speeding
Operating the boat under the influence
Failing to maintain a proper lookout
Failing to follow other maritime traffic safety laws

To recover compensation, you must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the operator’s negligence directly caused your injuries.

The Boat Owner

A boat owner also owes others the duty of due care when operating or renting out their boat. The boat owner should ensure that their vessel is maintained correctly and perform regular inspections. A boat owner should also equip the boat with adequate safety gear.

In addition, boat owners should know boating rules and regulations, including learning about the different types of marine insurance.

Even if the person operating the boat at the time of the accident was not the owner, you might still sue the owner for negligent entrustment. This scenario arises if the owner knew, or should have known, that the operator carried a risk of harm to others by operating the boat.

The Boat Manufacturer

If a mechanical or machinery malfunction caused the accident, the manufacturer of the defective part could be liable for any resulting injuries.

However, manufacturers cannot always be held liable for defects in products designed according to industry standards. For instance, if a boat manufacturer designs a boat according to industry standards, such as those set out by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the manufacturer might not be held liable for any injuries caused by the boat’s design.

Therefore, if you believe that your injuries resulted from a defective boat, you should speak to a lawyer specializing in product liability law. At Perenich Law, our seasoned St. Petersburg lawyers have handled numerous boating accident and product liability cases. Our track record speaks for itself.

What Can I Do After a St. Petersburg Boat Crash?

After being involved in a boating accident, you might feel confused and overwhelmed by what comes next. You may wonder how to pursue compensation for your injuries. You can take these steps after the incident to help your claim:

Contact Local Emergency Services Immediately

Contact emergency services immediately after the accident. Make sure that you provide them with all relevant information regarding the accident. You should also contact the police department and report the accident. This way, the authorities can investigate the cause of the accident.

Seek Medical Care

You should seek medical attention right away. If you sustain serious injuries, you may require hospitalization and treatment. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms like dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness, weakness, or fainting.

Document the Incident

Take pictures of the accident. Also, record the names of witnesses and other people present during the incident. Take note of the weather conditions and the type of waterway where the incident occurred.

Obtain Insurance Information

It is vital to obtain the name and phone number of the boat’s insurer. The insurer’s policy details can provide valuable information about the coverage provided. Additionally, it is advisable to obtain the boater’s insurance card.

Seek Legal Help

If another party’s negligence injures you, you may consider filing a boat accident lawsuit against the responsible party. A diligent boat accident injury lawyer in St. Petersburg can help you file a claim for damages.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Water Vessel Collision?

Before we dive deeper into the damages you can recover for the injuries you sustain in a boating accident, note that the statute of limitations for negligent boating accident claims is two years. That means you must file your claim within two years of the accident.

Here is a breakdown of the damages you can recover:

Economic Damages

Lost wages
Medical expenses
Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Mental anguish
Loss of companionship

You can also recover punitive damages if the responsible party acts intentionally or maliciously. Courts award punitive damages to punish the at-fault party for their actions, not to compensate the plaintiff’s losses.

If the boating accident killed your loved one, you might be eligible for wrongful death benefits. Wrongful death benefits compensate family members for the financial losses they incur due to the passing of a loved one. Please note, however, that the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is two years.

Speak with a Skilled St. Petersburg Boating Accident Lawyer to Understand Your Options

The legal system is complex. It requires knowledge, skill, and expertise to navigate the process successfully. If a boating accident in a St. Petersburg waterway injured you, you need an experienced lawyer who understands this intricate system.

At Perenich Law, our award-winning attorneys have more than 50 years of combined legal experience and will work hard to ensure that you receive fair compensation for all your losses.

Here are a few reasons you should consider hiring us to represent you:

We offer free consultations and case reviews to discuss your situation and determine whether pursuing legal action is feasible.
Our firm has extensive experience representing clients in cases involving maritime law. Maritime law governs watercraft such as boats, ships, barges, yachts, and ferries.
We understand how difficult it is to deal with the aftermath of a boating accident. We take the time to thoroughly review your case before proceeding with any litigation.
Our team consists of highly skilled trial lawyers who have earned numerous awards throughout Florida and other states.
We thoroughly evaluate your past, present, and future damages and medical expenses to ensure maximum compensation for your boating injuries. Doing so helps us aggressively negotiate for the compensation you deserve.
Last but not least, we stay in constant communication with you throughout the entire process. We want to make sure that you know what is going on every step of the way.

If a boating accident injured you or someone close to you, please reach out to a St. Petersburg boat accident lawyer today.