A Brief Summary of the Following Page
- Duty of Care: Boat drivers, rental companies, manufacturers, and passengers must have a duty of care to act responsibly and carefully. If they fail to do so, they may be liable for your injuries.
- Boating Laws: Several boating laws may apply to your case, including federal admiralty, Boater Card regulations, and registration requirements, all of which a knowledgeable lawyer can help you understand.
- Recoverable Compensation: Potentially available damages after a boating accident include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more. California’s comparative negligence rule allows those partially at fault to receive compensation.
- Why Callahan & Blaine: Callahan & Blaine’s 29 lawyers, led by insurance expert Edward Susolik, provide unmatched legal services with a proven record of multi-million dollar settlements and trial experience.
- Contact us online or by calling (714) 294-0576, and let us put our decades of experience and record of success to work for you.
Boating can be a fun way to spend time with family and friends and enjoy Santa Ana’s fantastic summer weather. However, they can also be dangerous. The boat driver, rental company, manufacturer, and other passengers must uphold a duty of care for your safety, but if they neglect this responsibility and cause you injuries, they may be liable for the damages that result. At Callahan & Blaine, we understand the challenges you face after a boating accident, so we are here to help handle the legal process while you focus on recovery.
Our robust team of 29 experienced lawyers proudly provides Santa Ana boating accident victims with unmatched legal services. We have secured multi-million dollar settlements for our clients, including the highest personal injury settlement in U.S. history, worth $50 million. With a 40-year legacy and extensive knowledge of state and federal boating laws, you can trust us to build a strong claim and fiercely advocate for your rights every step of the way.
Understanding Federal and California Laws That May Apply to Your Boating Accident Claim
With several federal and state laws that may apply to your claim, it is essential to have a knowledgeable Santa Ana boating accident lawyer help you understand these regulations and how they can help prove liability or impact your case. Depending on the unique circumstances of your boating accident, the following laws may play a role:
- Federal Admiralty: If the crash occurred on navigable waters, which are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide and used to transport commerce, your claim may fall under federal admiralty jurisdiction. If not, your claim will fall under state law.
- Boater Card: As of January 1st, 2024, all California boaters aged 60 or younger must carry a Boater Card, which proves the holder completed the required training.
- Insurance: California does not legally require a boat to be insured.
- Registration: Any sailboat over eight feet long or with a motor must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
With a better understanding of these laws, we can help determine whether the liable party violated any federal or state laws and how to proceed with your claim. Moreover, with our reliable guidance, you can make informed, confident decisions about your future.
Potentially Recoverable Damages After a Santa Ana Boating Accident
Boating accident injuries can have a lasting physical, emotional, and financial impact on your life, but you should not have to pay for the damages caused by someone else’s negligence. Our Callahan & Blaine lawyers work closely with you to collect evidence that proves the liable party owed you a duty of care, neglected this duty, and directly caused the accident, your injuries, and damages. This diligence and attention to detail give you the best chance of recovering maximum compensation for your losses, which may include the following:
- Past, present, and future medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages from missed work
- Loss of earning capacity
- Ambulance ride
- Home modifications
- Caregiving
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life
Whether the boat driver or a large manufacturing company is responsible for your injuries, our tenacious Santa Ana boating accident lawyers are unafraid to take on your claim and fight for your rights. Even if you are partially liable for the boating accident, you may still recover damages with California’s pure comparative negligence rule.
Each party involved receives a percentage of fault for the crash, which gets deducted from their respective compensation. For instance, if you are 10% at fault, and your claim is worth $250,000, you will receive $225,000. We negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure you receive a fair percentage of fault and settlement based on your situation.
Why Choose Callahan & Blaine to Help With Your California Boating Accident Claim?
After suffering injuries in a boating accident, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure how to seek justice. Fortunately, you do not have to handle the legal process alone. Our trustworthy attorneys at Callahan & Blaine provide comprehensive support, managing every aspect of your claim, from investigation to negotiations to litigation, if necessary. In addition to our exceptional services, we set ourselves apart in the following ways:
INSURANCE KNOWLEDGE
Our managing partner, Edward Susolik, is one of the nation’s leading insurance experts, having handled over 1,500 mediations in the last 33 years. This allows our 29-lawyer team to create nuanced and innovative strategies for negotiating with adjusters, who often use tactics to undermine your claim and use what you say against you.
TRIAL LAWYERS
We are trial lawyers at heart with a proven track record of success and years of litigation experience. Therefore, if your claim needs to go to court, our team is prepared to present it to a judge and jury while protecting your best interests.
UNPRECEDENTED RESULTS
With unparalleled legal services and dependable support, we have achieved record-breaking results for our clients, including the largest insurance bad faith judgment in Orange County history, worth $58 million. Our experience handling complex and high-value claims gives us the skills, knowledge, and resources to manage yours.
Contact the Trusted Santa Ana Boating Accident Attorneys at Callahan & Blaine Today
When you go out for a day on the water, you expect the boat operator, manufacturing company, other passengers, local governments, and other waterway users to act responsibly and safely. If one or more of these parties neglect this duty and cause you harm, you have the right to file a claim and pursue compensation for your losses. With the help of the diligent team at Callahan & Blaine, you can focus on recovery and increase your chance of a successful outcome.
We take a personalized approach to your claim, working with you from the beginning to understand your needs and develop a plan tailored to your goals. This starts with a consultation where we listen to your story and review your legal options. To schedule yours, call us at (714) 294-0576 or fill out our contact form.
