California Duck Boat Accidents

California’s various lakes, beaches, and waterways offer many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and beautiful scenic views that our state has. One of the best ways to do this is on a duck boat.

While fun, you’re just as likely to suffer an accident or injury in a duck boat as you are in any other type of watercraft. Of course, nobody rides on a duck boat expecting an accident, but because they can happen, it’s important to be prepared. Part of this preparation means understanding what to do if you are involved in one of these accidents in California.

Skilled California Boat Accident Lawyers

If you’re involved in a boat accident in California, having skilled legal guidance can make a challenging time much easier on you and your family. Not only can our experienced California boat accident lawyers help you with your legal claim, we can help you get back on your feet physically. Don’t wait to get the help you need, contact us today to set up a free consultation.

What is a Duck Boat?

Originally designed for military use, duck boats–officially DUKW boats, named for the manufacturer’s code–have for years been repurposed for multiple uses among civilians. Especially in California, these boats are popular for a variety of different purposes, including:

• Sightseeing tours – Duck boats are often used to offer tourists and locals unique sightseeing tours that cover both land and water attractions. They can provide a novel way to explore California’s coastal and urban areas.
• Waterfront transportation – Duck boats can serve as a means of transportation between different waterfront destinations, especially in areas where water travel is more efficient than road travel.
• Marine conservation education – Duck boat tours can be designed to educate passengers about marine life, conservation efforts, and the ecosystem of California’s coastal regions.
• Special events – Duck boats can be rented for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, or corporate events, offering a fun and memorable way to celebrate.
• Photography and Filming – Due to their amphibious nature, duck boats can be used as unique platforms for photography and filming, providing perspectives that are otherwise hard to capture.
• Recreational fishing – Duck boats can provide fishing enthusiasts with access to both waterways and nearby fishing spots.
• Transportation to remote areas – In areas with limited road access, duck boats can serve as a means of transportation to and from remote regions of California.

No matter what you use a duck boat for, there is always the possibility of being involved in an accident. Regardless, it’s always important to take necessary precautions to avoid an accident. However, if it does happen, the circumstances are key to your potential options.

How Do Duck Boat Accidents Happen in California?

Since duck boats can be used for a variety of different purposes in California, that means there are a number of different scenarios in which an accident can happen. Moreover, there are various factors underlying these accidents, which can happen at any time a duck boat is being operated. While these accidents are rare, they can be serious when they happen. Some potential causes of duck boat accidents include:

• Mechanical issues – If parts like the engine, steering, or brakes of the boat don’t work properly, accidents can happen. This might be because the boat wasn’t taken care of well, or it had issues from when it was made.
• Poor weather – When there’s bad weather like strong winds, rough water, or sudden storms, duck boats can become less stable and safe. Weather changes that come out of nowhere can surprise both the people driving the boat and the passengers.
• Mistakes by the driver – If the person driving the boat makes mistakes like not steering right, not having enough training, or not following safety rules, accidents can occur. Duck boats need special training because they can go on both land and water.
• Collisions – Duck boats might crash into other boats, ships, or personal watercraft if they’re sharing the water. These crashes could be because of misunderstandings, navigation mistakes, or not giving the right of way to others.
• Sinking – Even though duck boats are made to be stable on land and water, they could still tip over or sink if they run into unexpected things like big waves, the wake from other boats, or if there are too many people on board.
• Not following safety precautions – If they don’t have enough safety things like life jackets, ways to get out in an emergency, or plans for what to do in case of trouble, accidents can be much more dangerous for the people on the boat.
• Structural problems – Over time, the parts that hold duck boats together can get weaker, which might lead to accidents. To stop this, regular checks and fixes are really important.
• Miscommunication – When the driver of the boat and the passengers don’t talk to each other clearly, accidents can happen. If they misunderstand each other or the driver doesn’t give good directions, it can lead to problems.
• Navigational errors – Duck boats need to move on both land and water, so they have to deal with different kinds of places. Things like obstacles underwater, not enough water, or things hiding below can be risky.

As with any accident, the key to figuring out your options after you’ve been injured in a duck boat in California lies in figuring out who is responsible. Obviously, this depends on the circumstances of your accident, and could potentially be challenging to nail down.

Liability in California Duck Boat Accidents

According to California law, duck boats are held accountable for accidents in the same way as any other motor vehicle. In essence, just like with any vehicle, if duck boat drivers cause an accident due to not being careful, both the driver and the company they work for are responsible for the harm caused. Generally, there are four parts to negligence:

• The duck boat driver and company owes a legal duty to the person who got hurt.
• The duck boat driver or company breaks that duty.
• You get injured as a result.
• Proving that the duck boat driver or company breaking their duty led to your injury (also known as “proximate cause”).

When negligence comes into the picture, there are various situations where the duck boat company might be responsible for your injuries during an accident. For example, if the duck boat company doesn’t take care of their equipment properly, or if the driver is found to be driving while drunk, the company might be held responsible for injuries caused by these mistakes.

Likewise, if someone else acts carelessly and causes a duck boat accident, they could be held accountable. In different cases, if the duck boat crash was because the area wasn’t maintained well, the local government or the organization responsible for the area might be found responsible.

Legal Options After a California Duck Boat Accident

Whenever there’s an accident involving a duck boat, the injuries are often quite severe, leading to the need for a lot of medical care and resulting in a negative impact on your life and your income.

Thankfully, California law allows you–or any other accident victim–to pursue a claim for damages against the person or party responsible for causing the accident. Usually, this is done by either filing:

• An insurance claim; or
• Personal injury lawsuit

While it’s not always straightforward, working with our team of California boat accident lawyers can help you navigate the claims process. In a successful claim, you can potentially recover the following damages:

• Money you couldn’t earn because of the accident.
• Income you might lose in the future because of the accident.
• Bills from medical treatments.
• Costs for rehabilitation and physical therapy.
• Financial coverage for the pain and suffering you experienced.
• Support for the lower quality of life you might have due to the accident.
• Financial support to cover changes in your looks or permanent injuries.

To file a claim for compensation after a duck boat accident, you need to know a lot about the legal process and dealing with insurance companies. But more than that, having our team of caring, understanding lawyers to help you through the challenging journey of recovery is something our firm is truly proud of.

Work With Our Dedicated California Boat Accident Lawyers

When you choose to ride a duck boat in California, you’re expecting enjoyable moments and an exciting adventure. However, you’re not expecting an accident that causes serious injuries to you or someone you care about.

If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Maison Law. Our team of dedicated California boat accident lawyers knows how to stand up for your rights against large insurance companies and duck boat tour companies that didn’t ensure your safety. If you’d like to set up a free initial consultation, please contact us today.