Ferry Accident Lawyer

California Passenger Vessel Injury Attorney Preston Easley Helps Passengers Seriously Injured or The Loved Ones of Those Killed Due to Negligence to Collect Compensation for Their Damages and Losses in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims in CA and Throughout HI

Ferries and other charter vessels are useful forms of transportation that link passengers and maritime employees across rivers, bays, and other navigable waters. Ferries are large enough to provide options for passengers with vehicles trying to get from one coastline to another. These watercrafts are designed for short-haul journeys, often working on tight schedules. While major ferry boat accidents are rare, there are several risks to passengers and maritime workers who use charter vessels to get where they need to go.

At the Law Offices of Preston Easley, our boating accident legal team has extensive experience representing injured seamen and passengers injured in ferry boat accidents. If you suffered serious injuries in a boat crash or other type of incident, you should not be on the hook for costly medical bills, property damage, or other financial losses. With the help of a maritime law attorney such as Preston Easley, injured victims can recover compensation from the party responsible for the boating incident.

Our law firm is well-versed in state and federal law and has a history of taking on the maritime industry with personal injury claims, Jones Act claims, and other legal actions. To learn more about our legal services, contact our Los Angeles County law offices to discuss your personal injury claim in a free case evaluation today. We look forward to speaking with you.

What Should Injured Passengers and Seamen Do Following a Boating Accident?

While an experienced attorney can gather evidence to help support your personal injury claim, they usually cannot be by your side at the accident scene in the immediate aftermath of the incident. As the accident victim, you must take certain steps to safeguard your well-being, and the safety of others involved in the accident while also strengthening your personal injury case for when it comes time to file claims against the at-fault parties.

Immediately after a watercraft collision or other charter vessel accident, dial 911 to summon emergency response services. When medical professionals arrive on the scene, allow them to perform thorough examinations of all injured parties. It’s important that you seek medical care even if you believe your injuries to be relatively minor, as some injuries may worsen with time. Additionally, failure to get medical treatment following the accident could diminish the value of your personal injury claim.

Take photos and videos of boat damage, evidence of boat operator negligence, evidence of equipment failure, your personal injuries, and any other injuries to other parties. If you were hurt on a dock or at the marina, take photos of the hazardous conditions that caused your injuries.

Exchange contact and insurance company information with the boat operator, boat owner, or anyone else involved in the boating accident. Get the boat operator’s employee number and employer information if you were hurt on a charter vessel or boat tour.

If there were any eyewitnesses to the maritime accident, get their contact information. If they are willing to talk, record their statements while they’re fresh in their minds, as eyewitness testimonies sometimes deteriorate over time.

Preserve all evidence. If any of your property was damaged, attempt to keep it in the condition that it was in immediately following the ferry accident. If your boat is damaged, do not get rid of it or begin repairs. Do not discard any bloodied clothing and do not wash any clothing that you were wearing at the time of the ferry boating accident.

Finally, if you have not done so already, contact our law firm to discuss your charter vessel accident case with our experienced maritime law lawyer. By examining the facts of your case, attorney Preston Easley will attempt to prove negligence and ensure that at-fault parties are held liable for damages.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Charter Boating Accidents?

When it comes time to prove negligence against the responsible parties for a boating incident, the injured seaman or passenger and their attorney must first determine the cause of the charter vessel accident.

Common causes of charter boat accidents include the following:

• Boat operators under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Boating accidents caused by improper docking procedures
• Capsizing or sinking
• Charter boats running aground
• Charter vessels colliding with fixed or stationary objects
• Collisions with other watercraft, including personal watercraft and jet skis
• Crane accidents and cargo operation accidents
• Failure to take extra precautions in dangerous weather
• Ferries striking submerged objects or floating objects
• Fires and explosions, either fuel or non-fuel-related
• Flooding or swamping
• Improper maritime employee training or inadequate hiring practices
• Man overboard accidents
• Motor vehicle accidents aboard a ferry
• Overloading and overcapacity accidents
• Slips or trips and falls on uneven decks, raised thresholds, and slippery surfaces
• Speeding
• Unsafe working conditions
• And more

Whatever the cause of your maritime accident, the legal team of the Law Offices of Preston Easley is ready to represent your rights in pursuit of a fair settlement for medical costs, lost wages, and other losses or damages. Schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with the attorney and his legal staff today.

What Are Common Charter Boat Injuries?

Ferries and other charter vessels are owned and operated by several different entities, which can sometimes lead to varying levels of safety standards. While some boat owners may follow all the recommended safety tips to ensure a safe journey across the Pacific Ocean, others may be more lackadaisical or even irresponsible about their duties to their staff and passengers.

Like accidents on any other watercraft or large machine, ferry incidents can cause severe injuries and even fatalities.

Common charter boat accident injuries include the following:

• Burns
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Crushing injuries
• Deep cuts and lacerations
• Disfigurement
• Drowning or near drowning
• Eye injuries, including vision loss
• Loss of limbs
• Oxygen deprivation
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Whiplash
• Wrongful death
• And other injuries

Whether you are an injured maritime worker or civilian passenger, we would proudly represent your legal rights in pursuit of justice and financial recovery. Contact us to schedule your free initial consultation today.

Do Injured Maritime Workers Have Legal Options After Charter Boat Accidents?

Injured seamen and other maritime employees hurt aboard ferries of any type have the right to seek compensation from at-fault parties.

The Jones Act and other federal statutes under maritime law give injured maritime workers the right to file claims against boat owners, boat operators, and other parties responsible for accidents. To recover compensation, the injured party must be able to prove that the defendant was negligent in their actions (or inactions) or that the vessel was unseaworthy.

Longshore workers who sustained injuries while loading or performing workplace duties for a charter vessel will also be covered for serious injuries by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered with Successful Personal Injury Claims?

Boat passengers and other injured victims in ferry accidents can file claims for damages against the at-fault party or their insurance provider. If the insurance company rejects your personal injury claim, our maritime law firm can help you file a lawsuit. While most boating accident claims are settled out of court, maritime attorney Preston Easley is ready to represent you in a courtroom trial if necessary.

With a successful case, it is possible to recover economic and non-economic damages for your boating accident settlement.

Potential financial recovery may include the following:

• Lost wages if the injured victim misses work
• Past medical bills and future medical expenses
• Lost earning capacity if the boat accident victim cannot return to work or continue their previous employment
• Emotional trauma or mental anguish damages
• Disability, disfigurement, or dismemberment compensation
• Lost enjoyment of life
• Physical pain and suffering compensation
• Loss of companionship or consortium
• Funeral, burial, and memorial expenses in the event of a fatal accident
• Wrongful death benefits if a family lost a loved one in a ferry boat accident

Recovering full compensation is challenging for those who elect not to retain legal representation. Experienced maritime lawyers can assist in maximizing the compensation you stand to receive from the at-fault parties or their insurance companies. To learn what factors may impact the value of your ferry boating accident claim, please contact our law firm to speak with the attorney.

Do You Need Legal Representation from Maritime Law Professionals?

Even when there is clear liability for a charter boat accident, recovering the compensation you deserve can sometimes be difficult. Ferry companies, tour operators, boat owners, and insurance companies often utilize complex legal theories to limit their liability, making it challenging for injured victims to recover a fair and full settlement.

You do not need to go through the legal process alone. Ferry accident lawyer Preston Easley has experience representing maritime injury cases in both California and Hawaii. As your legal representative, the attorney and his team of highly skilled professionals will gather all valuable evidence, speak with expert witnesses, and take all the necessary steps to build an effective case capable of recovering maximum compensation.

The Law Offices of Preston Easley is a nationally recognized maritime injury law firm fully capable of representing your needs in pursuit of fair financial compensation. To learn more about our legal services and how we may assist you and your family members during this difficult time, please schedule a free consultation with our law office today.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Charter Vessel Accident Attorney Serving California and Hawaii Today

Passenger accidents are common on recreational vessels, catamarans, tour boats, and cruise ships. These maritime accidents are frequently caused by rough sea conditions and unsafe vessel conditions. Our law firm has extensive experience in the field of maritime law. Maritime accident attorney Preston Easley and his legal team have extensive knowledge of maritime law and maritime safety standards.

The Law Offices of Preston Easley are nationally known in maritime law. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call a passenger vessel accident lawyer. We handle vessel passenger personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.

Maritime accident lawyer Preston Easley is a graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. You can rely on his knowledge of maritime law to protect your rights. Contact him today for a free consultation about your case.

Call us at 310-773-5207.