Boat Accident Attorney in Bloomington

How Much Time do I Have to File a Claim?

The statute of limitations in Minnesota is two years from the date of the accident. However, there may be exceptions to this deadline, including for incidents involving minors and also for plaintiffs that are filing a claim against a government entity. This is why you should discuss your accident with one of our licensed attorneys.

At TSR Injury Law, our Bloomington boat accident lawyers understand how to thoroughly investigate boat accident cases and have detailed knowledge of the laws that apply to each case we handle.

If you are unsure about your potential lawsuit, contact our legal team today for your free consultation. Call (612) TSR-TIME

Who May Be Liable in a Minnesota Boating Accident?

There are many factors involved in liability for a boating accident and there are multiple parties who could be at fault, including:

There are many different examples of negligent actions by these parties that could cause injury:

• Inexperience – Many watercraft operators neglect to get appropriate licenses or safety training before operating a boat or other water vehicle.
• Drug or alcohol impairment – Operating a vehicle on the water while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is both illegal and dangerous.
• Distraction – It only takes a moment of looking away to crash into a swimmer, jet ski, wave or other type of watercraft.
• Reckless operation or excessive speeding – Much like driving on the road, speeding on the water can lead to a serious accident.
• Going out in inclement weather – Inexperienced boat operators may forget to check the weather and a storm can come up quickly.
• Equipment malfunction or failure – This can result in the operator losing control of the boat. This could also result in a fire or explosion, burning occupants or throwing them overboard.

Sometimes boat accident victims are partially at fault for their injuries. Under Minnesota’s comparative fault statute, if you did not contribute more to an accident than the other at-fault party, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your damages. Any award received would be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.

Is Boat Insurance Required in Minnesota?

The purchase of boat insurance is not a legal requirement in Minnesota, however, many owners who spend a lot of time on the water get this coverage to protect their assets in the event of an accident occurring.

Those who go less often may have no coverage or a rider on their home or automobile insurance, and this type of policy often has very limited coverage. Some operators have a homeowner’s umbrella policy that includes additional protection, but coverage is typically restricted to injuries that occur while the boat is on their property.

If you were injured in a boating or other watercraft accident, we recommend that you ask the boat operator for his or her contact details and insurance information. If you think you may have a boat accident claim, fill out our confidential online evaluation form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your potential legal options.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Bloomington Boat Accident?

You can quickly damage your claim in the first hours or days after a boating accident. Here are some steps you should take for your own health and safety and to help preserve your potential case:

Seek Medical Treatment

Get medical attention immediately after being involved in an accident. You need to have all your injuries evaluated, including the ones you may not be aware of right after the accident.

Seeking medical care quickly also helps to protect your claim by providing tangible evidence of when and where your injuries occurred.

Report the Accident to the County Sheriff

This is required by law in Minnesota if there is an estimated $2,000 or more in damages or if there were any serious injuries or fatalities.

Exchange Contact and Insurance Details

The law requires all vehicle operators involved in an accident to exchange contact and insurance details.

Types of Boat Accident Cases We Handle

Our Bloomington boat accident attorneys are prepared to take on boat accident cases involving many different types of accidents, including those involving:

Boating While Intoxicated

According to a 2018 report released by the Coast Guard, while distracted operators caused the majority of recreational boat accidents, by far most watercraft fatalities were alcohol-related.

Mechanical Defect/Malfunction

When a watercraft malfunctions and causes a serious injury, you may be eligible to pursue compensation from the product manufacturer, retailer or designer.

Drowning

Most boat accident deaths caused by drowning are preventable. In fact, in 2018, 84 percent of those who died from drowning were not wearing life jackets. When you combine this with alcohol or drug impairment, distracted behavior, including texting or goofing off, and speeding or other reckless types of behavior, it is a recipe for a deadly accident.

Stationary Object Collisions

Colliding with a stationary object, such as a rock beneath the surface or another vehicle on the water can cause serious accidents. These become more life-threatening the further away from shore you are, because it limits the ability for medical help to arrive quickly.

Swimmer Collisions

Running into a swimmer can cause serious injuries, including head trauma, lacerations, propeller injuries, fractures and drowning.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

There are a number of ways this can happen, including an exhaust leak, being too close to another boat that is running, a poorly-ventilated boat or traveling for a long period of time at a slow speed.

Becoming familiar with these early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning may save yours or someone else’s life:

Jet Ski Accidents

Jet skis accidents, such as collisions, often occur because of inexperienced or careless drivers.

Common Boat Accident Injuries

Injuries sustained in a Minnesota boat accident may be serious or life-changing, requiring a long recovery period. These can include:

If you or a loved one have been injured in a boating accident because of someone else’s negligence, it is important to act quickly to protect your claim.