Who’s at Fault in Boat Accidents?
As a Milwaukee boat accident lawyer with extensive experience pursuing compensation for those involved in boat accidents throughout the area, Karl Gebhard knows how common it is for negligent watercraft operators to cause watercraft injuries and boat injuries.
Underage, aggressive, inattentive or inexperienced boat drivers can all cause boating accidents. If you have been the victim of a watercraft accident, it may be worth your time to educate yourself on what types of watercraft operation are illegal and to contact a qualified boat accident lawyer.
According to Wisconsin law, the following operating practices aren’t just dangerous, they’re illegal:
- Negligent or reckless operation of a vessel in a manner that causes danger to life, limb or property. This could include jumping in the wake of a vehicle that is towing a person; operating a motorboat at speeds higher than “slow, no wake speed” within 100 feet of the shoreline; operating a vessel in a manner that creates hazardous wave or wake conditions; and more.
- Operating a boat with a person riding on the bow, deck or gunwale. In fact, operating a boat with a person riding any place where there’s a chance they could fall overboard is illegal.
- Overloading a vehicle beyond its recommended capacity. This is determined by the capacity shown on the capacity plate installed by the manufacturer.
- Operating at improper speeds or distances. This includes (but is not limited to) exceeding the speeds posted or charted for any given zone or area; operating a vessel within 100 feet of any shoreline, dock raft, pier or restricted area on any lake at a greater than “slow, no wake speed”; operating a vessel at greater than “slow, no wake speed” within 100 feet of a swimmer (unless the vessel is assisting the swimmer); and more.
- Operating under unsafe conditions. This includes operating an overloaded vessel, a vessel that is leaking fuel, or a vessel that does not have sufficient personal flotation devices, safety devices or navigation lights.
This is just a broad overview of the watercraft and boat operation behaviors that are illegal and negligent in the state. If you have been involved in one of the many boat accidents that occur on Wisconsin’s many lakes or rivers, it is vital that you contact a Wisconsin boat accident lawyer to help you navigate the rough waters of boat accident litigation.
Primary Causes of Injuries from Boat Accidents
Unfortunately, as a Great Lakes state, Wisconsin is home to many boat accidents every year. In general, the primary cause of boat accidents and boat injuries is driver error. This can include operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, speeding and other types of illegal operation.
If you or a loved one is suffering from injuries caused by a boat accident, it may be time to contact a qualified Wisconsin boat accident lawyer who can help you investigate the cause and help you receive compensation for your injuries.
Getting Compensation For Victims of Boat Accidents
With Gebhard Law Office, you can count on experienced personal injury lawyer Karl Gebhard to pursue all avenues of compensation to get you the just compensation you deserve for your boat injuries. Because his legal services are handled on a contingency basis, his clients aren’t charged unless he actually wins compensation for them. And, because he knows that boat accidents can happen any time of day or night, someone is available 24/7 to pick up your call.
Call Gebhard Law Office at 414-873-6550 for a free consultation or to schedule an appointment. Milwaukee personal injury attorney Karl Gebhard is available throughout Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the surrounding areas, including Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, West Milwaukee, West Allis, Wauwatosa, St. Francis, South Milwaukee, River Hills, Oak Creek, Milwaukee, Hales Corners, Greenfield, Greendale, Glendale, Franklin, Fox Point, Cudahy, Brown Deer, Bayside, Green Bay, Madison, Racine, and Jefferson. All services handled on a “you only pay if we win,” contingency basis.