Shreveport Injury Lawyer > Blog > Boat Accident > Filing a Claim After an Intoxicated Boating Injury

Filing a Claim After an Intoxicated Boating Injury

Most motorists in Louisiana know that drunk driving or drugged driving is extremely dangerous and can result in serious collisions where vehicle occupants are severely injured. Although statistics suggest that many drivers continue to get behind the wheel despite having one drink too many and recognizing that they may have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit, they know how dangerous their actions are to themselves and others. Boating while intoxicated can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated, yet boaters in Louisiana do not always realize that alcohol and boating do not mix. As a result, intoxicated boating crashes and incidents occur, and what started as an enjoyable day on the water can end with serious injuries.

If a drunk or intoxicated boater’s actions result in injuries, it may be possible to file a claim for compensation. Contact our Shreveport boating accident attorneys today at 318-222-2772 to discuss your legal options.

Understanding Intoxicated Boating

Intoxicated boating is an extremely serious problem in Louisiana and throughout the country. According to the BoatUS Foundation, about half of all boating crashes or collisions involve alcohol. Drunk vessel operators can face federal criminal consequences, as Louisiana law makes it unlawful for a person to operate a boat with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. People charged with boating DWIs face the same consequences as people charged with DWIs on Louisiana roads. It’s also important to know that, even if a person is not above the legal limit, they can still face consequences for intoxicated boating. Even having one drink out on the water can impair a person’s reaction time and decision-making abilities.

Intoxicated boating can cause injuries to passengers on the vessel or another vessel involved in a crash, as well as to other people in the surrounding waters who are jet skiing, water skiing, tubing, or even swimming.

Taking Steps to File an Intoxicated Boating Claim

If you are able to do so, it’s crucial to take photos and videos at the scene of the boat crash. It is important to document any injuries and damage so that you have this information to use as evidence in a subsequent claim. Just like after a motor vehicle collision, it is also important to identify the names and contact details for any witnesses, and to seek medical attention so your injuries can be properly addressed and documented.

You should also plan to seek legal advice about your case as soon as possible. Under Louisiana law, most personal injury claims have only a one-year statute of limitations, and that time can pass quickly when you are dealing with physical and emotional recovery from a serious boating injury.

Contact a Shreveport Boating Injury Attorney Today

Boating injuries are often severe, resulting in lifelong disabilities and significant trauma. When a boating collision or incident was caused by a drunk boater, it is essential to take steps to seek financial compensation and to hold that intoxicated vessel operator accountable. An experienced Shreveport boating injury lawyer at Rice & Kendig can talk with you today about the circumstances surrounding your injury and provide you with information about filing a claim and seeking compensation. Once you are ready to move forward with a claim, our firm is here to assist you.

Source:

boatus.org/alcohol-and-boating

By Rice & Kendig, LLC | Posted on July 9, 2024

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