Mississippi’s beaches, lakes, and rivers provide an excellent environment for weekends of boating, fishing, and other water recreating. However, while many operate their boats with care and expertise, the presence of inexperienced, intoxicated, or distracted drivers raises the risk of property damage and physical harm.
If you or a loved one were injured while on the water, a Gautier boat accident lawyer could help your case. After a consultation with a dedicated personal injury attorney, you may come to better understand your legal rights and how to pursue financial compensation for your damages. Whether through settlement negotiations or the courts, a seasoned attorney may be able to achieve a favorable resolution to your case.
Boaters and their passengers will often be entirely unrestrained while on a water vessel. Therefore, even a minor collision can result in significant physical damage. Some common injuries are:
Injuries such as these can result in substantial medical bills, lost wages from work, and psychological trauma. A seasoned boat accident attorney from Gautier will seek to understand the extent of a plaintiff’s injuries and pursue damages based upon the scope of the harm.
A boat accident can result in minor to severe injuries to both the driver and their passengers. Under Mississippi Annotated Code §15-1-49, a plaintiff has three years from the time of their injuries to bring a lawsuit. If a claim is brought after this statutory period expires, the trial will likely be dismissed by the court. For those considering bringing a suit, the sooner a Gautier boat accident attorney can build a case around the facts and legal rights of a matter, the easier it will be to avoid this deadline.
Damages” refers to the different kinds of financial compensation that a plaintiff may pursue in court for their losses. The three main types of damages are specific, general, and punitive.
Specific damages or economic damages refer to calculable financial losses that result from a physical injury such as medical bills, lost wages, and future lost earning potential. While these damages are based on the actual dollar and cents amounts, a plaintiff may still want the help and advice of a skilled Gautier boat accident attorney to determine the value of their complaint.
Also known as non-economic damages, this type of compensation encompasses psychological harms such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of consortium, and other intangible injuries. Since these damages can be more challenging to calculate, it may be helpful to consult with a boat accident lawyer from Gautier to determine the amount to pursue.
Punitive damages differ from specific and general because they are meant to punish the defendant for wrongdoing, rather than compensate the plaintiff for their expenses. Punitive damages are generally the most difficult to pursue because the defendant’s actions must rise to such a level of recklessness that the court sees fit to award these extra costs.
If you are injured from a boat accident, you may have significant medical expenses and physical impairments that prevent you from working. A Gautier boat accident lawyer who is well-versed in personal injury law could review your case and potentially help you achieve a favorable outcome in a legal proceeding. Call today to learn about what may be possible in your case.