Lake Tahoe is a beautiful, deep, and quite large alpine lake. The biggest section of the lake lies within the state of California, but stretches of its shoreline are in Nevada.
Tourists show up in the winter for the views and the skiing. Many try their luck at the casinos on the Nevada side. In the summer, water traffic gets busy as people hop in their “woody” boats, jet skis, and even yachts to enjoy watersports and sunshine.
A day on Lake Tahoe makes for a fantastic getaway, but a boating accident can quickly bring an end to the fun. A careless boater at the helm can put you and your family members at risk of an accident on the lake.
Boaters and passengers can be hurt and lives can even be put at risk. Victims and their family members should know everything they can about the benefits available to them through a California boating accident injury claim.
Contact a California Boating Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Boating accidents on the clear waters of Lake Tahoe injure vacationers and locals every year. Victims may be caught by surprise by the costs of their medical care. They may also question whether an at-fault party should be providing financial support as they heal.
Don’t sit around worrying about these questions if you or a loved one are hurt on the water. Contact Maison Law of California to set up a free, no-obligation consultation session. It’s your chance to talk over your options with a real California personal injury lawyer. There’s no risk in learning about what level of compensation you and your family should expect after someone’s carelessness causes you harm.
Lake Tahoe Boating Accident Dangers
There are many different modes of travel on a popular lake like Lake Tahoe. Some people take paddle-boards out to get their exercise. Others prefer the sleek lines of antique watercraft.
There are also larger transportation choices on such a big lake. Yachts and even a Mississippi paddle-wheel boat are common sights in Emerald Cove. Duck boats that venture on land and sea are also buzzing and driving around.
You may own your own craft, but if you’re a first-time tourist, you might use a rented craft from a local marina or resort. You could also be on a tour boat, cruising the lake and enjoying a drink or a gourmet meal. These are amazing options for those looking to experience the fresh air and clear waters of Lake Tahoe.
Unfortunately, with all of the lake traffic, opportunities for major accidents and severe injuries are present. Boat operators and owners might make an ill-advised maneuver that leads to an impact. You could also be hurt by the negligence of intoxicated passengers or the proprietors of local businesses. Knowing what to do after an accident can help you earn full insurance support to rebuild your life.
Who Is to Blame for a Boating Accident Injury on Lake Tahoe?
If you are struck by another boat, or you’re hurt on a tour boat, your medical costs will soon be a tremendous burden and worry. With a serious injury, you’ll also likely miss out on valuable work time. This can be financially devastating as your bills pile up and perhaps after you’ve just taken an expensive vacation to Lake Tahoe.
Fortunately, California law protects boating accident victims hurt by the carelessness or recklessness of an individual or a lake business. You may even need to seek insurance support from multiple parties in order to cover all of your recovery expenses.
Here are just a few of the parties that may be liable in your Lake Tahoe Boating Accident:
- Boat operator. The owners of family boats may be at the wheel when they collide with your watercraft. The captains working for a touring company could make a reckless turn that leaves you the victim of an impact and on a sinking boat. A boat pilot may be too young to drive safely and yet is still allowed to endanger your family.
- Drunk Drivers. Boat operators could be driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Alcohol is allowed on Lake Tahoe, but boat operators can still be charged with Boating While Impaired (BUI). They face the same alcohol limits that California drivers are held to. Drunk boat operators are responsible for the harm they cause others.
- Boat passengers. Those inside the craft or enjoying time in the water can make dangerous decisions and put others at risk of a broken bone or a traumatic brain injury.
- Boat rental companies. Rental companies are liable when someone takes their boats out and causes an accident.
- Marina and resort owners, and tour operators. These businesses will have liability insurance in place to protect the victims of the careless acts of their employees. They are responsible for your safety on their grounds, at the marina, and while out on their boats.
- Boat owners. The owners may be responsible for who they allow to take their boats out. They may share in the liability even if they aren’t present.
- Boat manufacturer. A faulty part or design flaw could lead to an injury. A carbon monoxide leak could cause poisoning.
What to Do After a California Boating Accident
You may have the misfortune of finding yourself in a boating accident on Lake Tahoe. If you are physically able, you should begin gathering evidence immediately from the scene. The more evidence you can include with your insurance claim, the better chance you’ll have of forcing the insurance company to do what’s right.
Try to collect these elements in the moments after your Lake Tahoe accident:
- Call 911. Make sure everyone on your boat is accounted for. Provide those in the boat and outside the boat with flotation devices. Give responding officers full reports on what you remember about the crash. They’ll be working up an accident report that will be valuable evidence. Let paramedics check out all injuries. Go to the hospital if necessary.
- Take pictures at the scene. Show the damage to the watercraft involved. Take photos of any visible injuries. Show any beer bottles or drug paraphernalia that might prove the other boat captain was under the influence. If you are on a marina or a large tour boat and take a fall, take pictures of the hazard that sent you down.
- Exchange information with the other boat operator. Get boat registration information and insurance information if available.
- Speak with witnesses. Find out how your California boating accident lawyer can contact witnesses later.
- Keep evidence. Save all damaged personal property. Don’t throw out bloody clothing and don’t get rid of a damaged boat.
- See your physician. After an accident get yourself and your family members checked out by your family doctor. The shock of an accident can mask the pain from an injury until a day or two after the incident. Save all medical invoices.
Compensation Available After a Lake Tahoe Boating Accident
In California, boating accident and personal injury victims have up to two years to file a claim for damages.
With the help of a California boating accident lawyer, you can seek compensation for all your damages through this claim.
A settlement check from the at-fault party’s insurance company should compensate for these hardships and more:
- Hospital, doctor, and rehabilitation bills.
- Earnings you’ve lost while missing paychecks at work.
- Long-term costs that come with a permanent physical disability.
- Emotional Distress. The trauma experienced in the crash can be difficult to get over. The emotional challenges faced in recovery. Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Physical pain and suffering
- Damage or destruction of property. Money for boat repairs or replacement.
Contact a California Boating Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one are hurt due to someone’s negligence on or around Lake Tahoe, you should be aware of the benefits available to you and your family. Insurance companies won’t be telling you about this support, but a free consultation with a California Boating Accident Lawyer will make sure you know your rights as a victim.
Contact a skilled personal injury lawyer like Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law. He offers a free, no-obligation case evaluation to all victims and their family members. If you choose Mr. Gasparian to represent your boating injury claim, you won’t need any money. He doesn’t get paid unless he wins your case.
