Louisiana Personal Watercraft Accident Lawyers Experienced in Maritime Law and Boating Injuries

Domengeaux Wright Roy & Edwards, LLC, headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana, has successfully handled numerous maritime accident cases involving personal watercraft. Personal watercraft accidents are more complex than is commonly understood.

An experienced maritime lawyers have an in-depth understanding of maritime law and can help determine whether state negligence laws apply or whether federal maritime laws apply.

Experienced Louisiana Personal Watercraft Accidents Who Can Help You

Our firm has over 60 years of experience handling boating accidents. We understand how to handle boating accidents involving personal watercraft such as fishing boats, jet-skis, sailboats, and recreational speed boats.

In addition, our attorneys have significant experience handling personal injury cases involving commercially-operated boats, such as ferry boats, tour boats, airboats, shrimp boats, and cruise ships.

Depending on the body of water and the type of watercraft involved, the legal remedies available in boating accident cases vary significantly. Our boat accident lawyers have years of experience working with people injured in boating accidents. We know how to determine whether an injury claim should be pursued as a state negligence claim or under federal maritime or admiralty laws.

Our firm is widely respected for our ability to maximize compensation for people injured in Louisiana boating accidents. Our in-depth understanding of personal injury laws, coupled with our concentration on Jones Act and other maritime laws, allows us to seek the best possible sources of recovery for our client’s injuries.

Checklist for Safe Boating

1. Pay Attention to the Weather Check local weather conditions for boating safety before departure. If you notice darkening clouds; rough, changing winds; or a sudden decrease in temperature, play it safe by getting off the water.
2. Make A Checklist Proper boating safety means being prepared for any possibility on the water. From compliance with fire safety regulations to tips for fueling up, following a checklist is the best way to make sure nothing has been forgotten.
3. Use Common Sense One of the most important parts of boating safety is to use your common sense. This means always operating at a safe speed, especially in crowded areas. Be alert at all times, and steer clear of large vessels and watercraft that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn. Always respect buoys and other navigational aids, which are there your safety.
4. Designate an Assistant Navigator Make sure more than one person on board is familiar with all aspects of your boat’s handling, operations, features and safety tips. If the primary navigator is injured or incapacitated in any way, it’s important to make sure someone else can safely get everyone back to shore.
5. Tell Someone Where You Are Going Whether you choose to inform a family member or the staff at your local marina, always be sure someone else knows where you’re going and how long you’re going to be gone.
6. Wear A Life Jacket Did you know that the majority of people who have drowned in boating accidents were not wearing life jackets? Make sure your family and friends stay safe by assigning and fitting each person on board with a life jacket.
7. Avoid Alcohol The probability of being involved in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved, and studies have shown that the affect of alcohol is exacerbated by external factors such as sun and wind.
8. Learn to Swim If you’re going to be in and around the water, boating safety means knowing how to swim.
9. Take a Boating Course Both beginning and experienced boaters need to be familiar with boating safety rules. Boater education requirements vary by state; some require validated completion of at least one boating safety course. Regardless of your state’s requirements, it’s always important to be educated, aware and prepared for every circumstance that might arise.
10. Consider a Free Safety Check Take advantage of a free vessel safety check from the U.S. Coast Guard. They offer complimentary boat examinations to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations. They’ll provide a specialist to check out your boat and make helpful boating safety tips and recommendations.

Contact our Louisiana Recreational Boating Accident Attorneys

Domengeaux Wright Roy & Edwards, LLC handles personal watercraft accident cases for clients throughout the state of Louisiana. If you or a member of your family has been injured in a recreational boating accident, please contact our Louisiana boating accident lawyers at 800-375-6186 or by e-mail.

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