A boating accident can be a very frightening experience, but knowing how to respond can help to save someone’s life (and protect your legal rights). The laws in New Jersey can be confusing but having an experienced attorney on your side can help protect you legally.
At the law firm of Villani & DeLuca P.C., our personal injury attorneys represent boating accident victims who live in New Jersey as well as those visiting from other states. If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury while water skiing, tubing, fishing or just cruising around the New Jersey waterways, contact us at [dyna_phone phone=’1′ format=’dashed’] for a free initial consultation about your legal rights.
Boating Accident Defined
According to the US Coast Guard, every year hundreds of lives are lost and thousands are injured because of preventable recreational boating accidents. A “boating accident” is defined as a situation where a boat passenger dies or becomes seriously injured, a boat passenger disappears and death or injury is suspected, or a vessel causes or sustains damage. Boating accidents are therefore not limited to collisions, but may occur whenever someone is killed, injured, or disappears while boating.
Gather Evidence
After ensuring everyone is OK and out of immediate danger following a boating accident, obtain essential information from those on the water vessel as well as information from witnesses. Gather their name, address, telephone number, registration or ID number of the boat as well as insurance company names and policy numbers. It is also wise to take photographs of the damage to the boat and its surroundings.
Report the Boating Accident
Under federal law, a boating accident must be filed if:
• Someone is killed.
• Someone is injured badly enough to need medical care beyond the most basic first aid.
• There is damage to the vessels or to property that equals or exceeds $2,000.
• There is a complete loss of a vessel or a vessel is destroyed.
• Someone disappears from a vessel under circumstances that indicate an injury or death has occurred.
The New Jersey statute of limitations on personal injury cases can be found at New Jersey Code section 2A:14-2. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases gives an injured person two years from the date of the injury to go to court and file a lawsuit against those responsible for the injury.
New Jersey Personal Injury Law (2A:14-2)
The New Jersey statute of limitations on personal injury cases can be found at New Jersey Code section 2A:14-2. New Jersey’s system for injury compensation is structured under tort law, which attempts to rectify a “civil wrong” that caused losses or suffering to another individual. In New Jersey, the general statute of limitations (N.J.S.A. 2A:14) for personal injury cases gives an injured person two years from the date of the injury to go to court and file a lawsuit against those responsible for the injury. There are, however, other circumstances which can extend or shorten the time to file a claim. That is why it is important to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer.
See Your Doctor
After a boating accident, even if you don’t initially believe you were injured, it is still a good idea to visit your doctor. The shock of being involved in an accident can often mask symptoms of a serious injury, so seek medical attention immediately so the physician can administer the appropriate tests.
New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys
The NJ personal injury lawyers at Villani & DeLuca P.C. have a great track record representing individuals facing all types of personal injury claims throughout New Jersey. Contact the lawyers of Villani & DeLuca, P.C. at [dyna_phone phone=’1′ format=’dashed’] for a free consultation with an experienced lawyer. We handle all personal injury claims on a contingency basis, meaning that you don’t pay us unless you win a settlement.
