Experienced and Trusted Boating Accident Law Firm

Boating Accident Attorneys in El Cajon

California is known and loved for its climate, beaches, and water. Whether you are on the California coast or inland waters, boating for leisure and recreation is a favorite activity of locals and visitors. While private and commercial boats navigate California’s waters throughout the year, our waterways generally see the most boat traffic between the months of May and September.

Unfortunately, there are risks involved with boating and boating accidents are not uncommon in California. You may exercise caution and care as a boat driver or boat passenger, but other people may not exercise the same caution and care when they are on the water with you. In 2016 there were 588 boating accidents reported in California. Those boating accidents resulted in 266 injuries, 50 fatalities, and $3.9M in property damage.

Boating Accident Causes

Boating accidents are often caused by negligent or reckless conduct. According to the 2016 boating accident statistics report by California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways, the leading causes of boating accidents were operator inattention, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and machinery failure. If you have sustained injuries and damages in a California boating accident as a result of someone else’s reckless or negligent conduct, contact El Cajon boating accident attorney, Eugene G. Bruno, for a consultation to discuss the details of your accident and the possibility of recovery.

California Boating Accident Laws

Boating accident cases are not typical personal injury cases and there are laws that are unique to boating accidents. For this reason it is important to work with an expert boating accident attorney rather than a personal injury attorney who is not specifically experienced in handling boating accident cases. Some boating accidents in California may be required to be reported to the California State Park Division of Boating and Waters within 48 hours or 10 days of the accident, depending on the type of accident and injuries, damages, and losses involved. Failure to report an accident as required by law can result in fines or even jail.

Boating Accident Facts and Investigation

In your consultation, an El Cajon personal injury lawyer will discuss factors that may affect your case, such as:

• Did the accident involve another boat?
• Did someone’s negligence or recklessness cause your accident?
• Was your boat and any other boat involved in the accident being operated for hire, business, or pleasure?
• Were you or someone else involved in the accident working in the scope of employment at the time of the boating accident?
• Were the boating accident waters regulated and by what entity?
• Was there faulty maintenance or equipment failure that caused or contributed to the accident?

Boat Accident Injuries and Damages in El Cajon

Recovery for your injuries and damages may include property damage, medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, lost future earnings, and disfigurement or permanent impairment. Our experienced El Cajon boat accident lawyers at Eugene Bruno & Associates will work with you to calculate your injuries and damages to determine the amount required to make you whole. We are California water law experts and victims’ rights advocates who want to see that you are fully and fairly compensated for your injuries.