Shreveport Boat Accident Lawyer
Boating is a popular pastime throughout Louisiana, and Shreveport-Bossier City is no exception. On Cross Lake or the Red River waterway, boaters, water skiers, and operators of personal watercraft can enjoy recreational boating practically year-round. Boating is fun, but boat operation needs to be taken seriously. Boating accidents can result in significant injury or death of the individuals involved. If you or a loved one has been involved in a boating collision, give the Shreveport boat accident lawyers at Rice & Kendig a call. Our experienced team will do everything we can to recover on your behalf so you can get your life back together.
What Laws Apply to Boaters in Louisiana?
Louisiana law requires all boat operators to be at least 16 years old. Also, if the operator was born after January 1, 1984, the person must first complete an approved boater education course or at least be accompanied by someone over 18 years old who has taken a course if they were required to do so. These boater education courses do not actually take place on the water; they are taken in a classroom or even online, but they do provide important safety information.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries also enforces numerous boater regulations. These regulations provide several “rules of the road” for vessels regarding driving, passing, yielding the right-of-way, and more. Additional rules apply to personal watercraft (PWC) such as jet skis and sea-doos, prohibiting dangerous activities like weaving through traffic or wake jumping. All boat operators must be sober, avoid overloading or overpowering the boat, and keep passengers from riding on gunwales or decks without an adequate railing. Negligence of the boat owner can be responsible for brain and spinal injuries, as well as drowning or other wrongful death.
Negligent boat operators can be liable for injuries when they crash into another boat or injure a swimmer or water skier through their negligence or recklessness. They might also be liable to passengers for a negligent operation that causes passengers to fall overboard or otherwise get hurt on the boat. Boat rental companies can additionally be held liable if they rent unsafe equipment that has not been properly maintained, if they rent vessels that don’t contain proper emergency and safety equipment, or if they rent to underage or intoxicated individuals.
How Rice & Kendig Attorneys Can Help After a Shreveport-Bossier City Boating Accident
Depending on who is responsible for causing a boating accident, the insurance company for the liable party might quickly step in to offer a quick settlement or position themselves to deny liability. Remember that the job of the insurance adjuster is to minimize how much they have to pay. On the other hand, our role at Rice & Kendig is to maximize your recovery and get you as much compensation as you need and deserve. Always call an experienced boating accident lawyer before giving the insurance company a recorded statement or other information.
At Rice & Kendig, we’ll work hard to recover a fair amount from the insurance company or file a lawsuit on your behalf if a fair settlement can’t be obtained. Our lawyers and staff are with you and by your side the entire time. In most cases, Rice & Kendig will also advance the medical costs associated with the treatment of your injuries, such as doctor’s visits, prescription medication, physical therapy, medical procedures, and surgeries. This will give you the peace of mind of not having to worry about how you will pay for your treatment. You focus on your physical recovery while we take care of your financial recovery.
The Dedicated Legal Help You Need After a Shreveport-Bossier City Boating Accident Injury
If you’ve been injured in a boating accident in Shreveport-Bossier City or North Louisiana, call Rice & Kendig for a free consultation with an experienced and successful injury lawyer dedicated to seeing that you are treated fairly and compensated fully.
