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Water activities are a popular pastime in and around Little Rock, with the Rockwater Marina, Lake Maumelle, Greers Ferry, and many other places for boating within a short drive from the city. Unfortunately, not every boater is a responsible one, and issues such as improper lookout, impaired boating, excessive speed, and failure to maintain the vessel can result in boat accidents. If you were injured in an accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, a Little Rock boat accident lawyer may be able to provide services to assist you in seeking compensation for the financial and psychological costs of your injury.
Through the personal injury claims process, individuals who have been injured in boating accidents in Little Rock caused by the carelessness of another person or entity can seek compensation for injury-related expenses and impacts such as:
The compensation awarded in a Little Rock boating accident claim is referred to as damages. Economic damages include out-of-pocket expenses, while non-economic damages refer to compensation for the emotional impacts of an injury. In some cases where the accident occurred due to extreme negligence, punitive damages might also be available. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, which are meant to compensate for the injury, punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant for their recklessness. A boat accident attorney in Little Rock could examine your case and help you determine what damages to seek.
When someone is injured in a boating accident, a claim is generally filed against the liability coverage of the relevant insurance policy held by the at-fault party. In Arkansas, owners of motorboats and personal watercraft with an engine with more than 50 horsepower are required to carry liability insurance. The claim is a demand for the value of the case, which is determined by the costs of medical treatment, the extent of the claimant’s injury, the presence of permanent injuries, and the level of negligence exhibited by the at-fault party.
When the insurance company receives the demand in a Little Rock boat accident claim, they can accept or deny the liability of their insured. If they accept the liability, they can either pay the demand as submitted or offer a settlement for less than the claim’s value. If they are unwilling to settle the claim, then it can be filed as a lawsuit. In most cases, those injured in boating accidents in Little Rock have three years from the date of the injury to file their claim as a legal complaint (lawsuit) in court.
A Little Rock boating accident lawyer from MBO may be able to provide services to assist boating accident claimants in this process, including valuing the claim, communicating with the insurance company, gathering evidence, and even representing the claimant in court.
Boat accident injuries can be significant, leaving a person struggling to heal, missing work, and facing unexpected expenses. With more than five decades of combined legal experience, the legal team at Mays, Byrd & O’Guinn offers both a family atmosphere as well as the ability to litigate cases as the big firms do. We are one of the largest minority-owned firms in Arkansas and are conveniently located in downtown Little Rock, across from the courthouse.
Let us help you understand your legal options for pursuing compensation for your boating accident injuries. Contact a Little Rock boat accident lawyer at our firm for your free case evaluation today.