Can I Get a Boating Accident Settlement if the At-Fault Party Doesn’t Have Boat Insurance?
The injuries and property damage that result from boating accidents can be very serious. Negligent boating behaviors such as operating a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and disregarding state boating laws, or failing to stop reckless passenger behavior that leads to an accident can all contribute to determining fault in a boating accident.
Unfortunately, it is often complicated to recover a settlement from a boating accident because so many people don’t carry boat insurance. Some may wonder if they can get a boating accident settlement if the at-fault party doesn’t have boat insurance. The answer is that it is possible, but it will require the help of an experienced boating accident lawyer.
If you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident because of the negligence of another boat operator, schedule a free consultation with a local boating accident attorney as soon as you are able. The personal injury lawyer can look at how the accident happened and the injuries and damages involved and determine how to pursue a full and fair settlement on your behalf.
What is boat insurance?
Boat insurance is purchased to protect the boat owner financially after an accident they caused – the same way that drivers purchase liability insurance for if they ever cause a car accident. If a boat operator with insurance causes an injury accident, their insurance will help cover the damages suffered by the other boat operator and passengers. In this situation, the victim(s) of the boating accident would file a claim with the boat owner’s insurance company to recover their losses.
Is boat insurance required in Washington State?
While boat insurance is not required in Washington State, it is highly recommended to protect the individual from being personally sued for damages from an accident they caused. Some people assume that their homeowner’s policy will provide liability insurance for a boat accident they cause but that is not usually the case.
What does boat insurance cover?
Boat insurance can cover a range of things including:
- Injuries or damages suffered by the injured party from an accident you caused
- Boat damage from fire, weather, or theft
If you have uninsured/underinsured boater (UI/UIB) insurance it should cover your personal injury costs if an uninsured boater causes an accident.
Can I Get a Boating Accident Settlement if the At-Fault Party Doesn’t Have Boat Insurance?
If you are involved in a boating accident with a boat operator who doesn’t have boat insurance, you could have fewer options for a settlement. For one thing, if the boat owner doesn’t have boat insurance, you won’t be able to file an insurance claim against a boat insurance policy.
A boat accident lawyer will look at all of your options, including:
- Filing a claim through the boat operator’s homeowners’ insurance
- Filing a lawsuit against the boat owner if they have enough assets to pay a settlement
- Filing a products liability claim against a boat manufacturer that built a boat with a manufacturing defect that led to the accident
- Filing a claim against the boat rental company if they failed to perform scheduled maintenance or knowingly rented a boat that had safety issues
If you are involved in a boating accident, take these steps to ensure everyone gets the medical care they need and then contact a boat accident lawyer for help.
Seek the help of a boat accident lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced boat accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
