Anaheim Boating Accident Attorneys
Anaheim Boating Accident Lawyers
One of the many benefits of the sunny Anaheim weather is the opportunity to get out in a boat on a nice day. While Anaheim isn’t waterfront, residents can still enjoy boating activities at one of the nearby docks. A bonus to boating mid-pandemic is the social distancing boating can provide. The boating business is booming in California.
As of October 2020, the recreational boating and fishing industries added $13 billion to the California economy. The recreational boating industry alone employs more than 40,000 people in California. However, boating injuries are common, and they can be severe.
If you’ve been injured in Anaheim in a boating accident or an accident on the water, you may be unsure what your next steps should be. Being injured can be a traumatizing experience. It’s important to get the best help after suffering an accident. The family of personal injury lawyers at Easton & Easton can help you claim the compensation you deserve.
Many Factors Contribute to Boating Accidents
In 2019, there were 4,168 boating accidents in the United States. Of those, there were 613 deaths and 2,559 people injured. The main contributing factors in accidents involving the operation of a vessel or personal watercraft were:
- Alcohol use
- Drug use
- Excessive speed
- Failure to vent
- Improper lookout
- Navigation rules violation
- Operator inattention
- Restricted vision
- Sharp turns
The Anaheim boating accident attorneys at Easton & Easton handle all types of personal watercraft injuries. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve if you’ve been injured due to another person’s negligent behavior. We believe personal injury cases are not just about compensation for medical bills – that’s just the beginning. Every injury claim represents a person and has a human story behind it. Injury has the potential to touch more than just the victim, but their family as well. When you hire us, we learn your story for better outcomes. As Matthew D. Easton, co-managing partner, said. “We recognize that your injury may not be what’s visible, but the emotional toll as well. Easton & Easton is a family of personal injury lawyers. Let our family help yours.”
Easton & Easton has recovered more than $100,000,000 for clients in the past five years. The company’s attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience. The readers of the LA Times voted Easton & Easton the best personal injury law firm in Orange County.
California Boater Card Requirements
To operate a boat in California, you must first pass a state-approved boater safety education exam given by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. The schedule of the California Boater Card Requirements is:
Date, Age Range
1/1/2020, 35 years old or younger
1/1/2021, 40 years old or younger
1/1/2022, 45 years old or younger
1/1/2023, 50 years old or younger
1/1/2024, 60 years old or younger
1/1/2025, All boaters of any age
California does not require insurance for personal watercraft. This means that the standard insurance settlement that occurs in most personal injury cases does not typically apply in maritime cases. Furthermore, it is necessary to sue the liable party to claim compensation for medical treatment, property damage, or other losses.
Unfortunately, injuries are inevitable and may take many forms:
- Boating accidents
- Slip and fall accidents on wet decks and surfaces
- Drownings
- Burns
Where injuries occur, legal liability is key to determining if compensation can be recovered.
Common Causes of Boating Accidents & Injuries
When boating accidents are involved, just as in car accidents on the highway, multiple people may be at fault and negligent. The many reasons for boating accidents may include:
- Boating under the influence
- Inexperience of the operator
- Operator Error (distraction, speed, negligence)
- Violation of laws enacted to protect boaters
- Speeding
- Equipment failure
- Waves or wakes
- Tide/depth of water
Boating personal injury claims are very similar to vehicular personal injury claims, as the courts determine who was negligent and what compensation will be provided.
The US Constitution Article III provides that federal courts have jurisdiction over admiralty and maritime cases. However, in rare instances, jurisdiction may remain in the state court system.
What Is the First Thing You Should Do When Involved in a Boating Accident?
If you are the boat or personal watercraft operator, stop the watercraft immediately and check on the passengers, unless you would pose a risk of further damage by leaving the boat’s controls. Once everyone has been secured, call the experts at Easton & Easton to make sure you are protecting your rights. Early involvement of your personal injury attorney is essential to making sure you secure just compensation for your personal injury.
When Do You Need to Report a Boating Accident?
If you are the captain or the boat’s owner/operator, you may wonder what the reporting requirements after a boating accident are. As in every legal question, it depends. Federal and state requirements are different. Federal reporting requirements are enacted in the following scenarios:
- A death occurs.
- The boat is destroyed.
- A person is missing.
- An injury requires medical treatment.
- The boat or any other personal watercraft incurred more than $2,000 in damages.
State law requires notification if the boating accident results in:
- A death occurs.
- The boat is destroyed.
- A person is missing.
- A person is injured needing more than just first aid.
- Damage above $500 to any vessel or property.
Accidents must be reported within a specific time. The deadline is either 24 hours, 48 hours, or 10 days. That’s why it is important to contact the personal injury attorneys of Easton & Easton to ensure that the deadlines are met. Failure to report can constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment not to exceed six months or both. The reason for such a policy is to help the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways develop and implement safety strategies.
As a boat owner/operator, you need to understand who is legally liable in boating accidents. The liable party is the party found to be negligent or reckless. Liability may not fall on just one person. Multiple people can be jointly liable for negligent action.
As an injured passenger in a personal watercraft, it is also essential to understand your rights to get the compensation you deserve for your injury. It begins with obtaining the legal representation of an experienced personal injury law firm—the personal injury lawyers of Easton & Easton.
Compensation Can Come in Many Forms
Medical expenses are the most common form of compensation. Monetary compensation for medical expenses should allow the injured party to reach maximum medical improvement. If permanent disability is at issue, compensation for long-term medical care should also be included.
Property damage is another common form of compensation. Damaged property can extend to personal property, including lost items in a boating accident.
Injured parties may also claim their lost wages in the compensation they are due. Lost wages include wages lost when recovering and future lost wages if a permanent disability occurs.
The injured person may also claim pain and suffering. This is a general category that the personal injury attorneys at Easton & Easton will discuss with clients. Pain and suffering includes psychological suffering as well as physical pain caused by the boating accident.
Punitive Damages Possible
It is possible to try to obtain punitive damages in personal watercraft injury cases. Punitive comes from the Latin root word, punire, “to inflict a penalty on.” Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the action rises to a level above simple negligence. Courts will look at whether the actions were intentionally harmful.
Additionally, criminal penalties are always a possibility depending on the actions of the responsible party. Criminal charges may concern boating while intoxicated, or the charges might be in the form of a specific violation of the boating laws and regulations.
How Do I Prove Liability in a Boating Accident?
Proof can come in many forms. With cell phones in every hand, video can often be the best physical evidence to show what occurred and who the negligent party is. Testimony from witnesses is another popular form of evidence. It is important to remember that the testimony of one witness, if believed by the judge or jury, is enough to establish liability.
Negligence will not always fall on a single party. It is possible that the operator of your personal watercraft or boat was speeding, and the other boat operator was boating under the influence. If both are determined negligent, both can be ordered to pay their fair share of the compensation.
Additionally, you can be held partially liable for negligence in the case.
Typically, a percentage is provided by the jury as far as who is responsible for what percentage of the crash. In rare cases, the personal injury attorneys at Easton & Easton will employ an accident reconstructionist who specializes in boat accidents.
How Do I Prove the Medical Expenses From an Injury Caused by a Boating Accident?
Testimony and documentation from medical providers are often required in court to prove your case and get the compensation you deserve. This testimony is also used to establish the injury to the plaintiff. The personal injury attorneys at Easton & Easton will be able to organize and present the medical evidence effectively.
How Do I Prove Lost Wages?
Lost wages are typically admissible in court in the form of previous pay stubs and testimony from employers. If permanent disability occurs, medical testimony related to that disability and testimony regarding future wages that have now been lost will be required.
How Do I Prove Property Damages for Compensation?
Testimony must be presented in the form of photographs of the damage, video of the damage, estimates to fix the damaged property, and testimony regarding the value lost due to the damages.
How Do I Prove Pain and Personal Suffering?
Typically, you, the plaintiff, will provide this testimony. What issues has this accident caused? Are you having problems sleeping, problems with anxiety? Boating accidents can be traumatizing, and the personal injury lawyers from Easton & Easton must ask for this additional compensation. This compensation is an attempt by the courts to make the person whole again. Sometimes that doesn’t happen, but the goal is to get as close to whole as possible.
An important step to take as an injured party is to keep a journal documenting your pain and suffering. Write down all medical appointments, pain associated with the accident, anxiety attacks, sleepless nights, and missed social engagements due to pain or anxiety. Documentation is key to presenting a thorough case to the court.
Are There Things That Can Help My Case?
Yes. Document everything. Immediately following the incident, take as many photographs as possible. Furthermore, if you can, get the name and contact information of all witnesses. This will help in future litigation.
If there does happen to be an insurance company associated with the accident, do not speak to their representatives until you have talked to one of the experienced personal injury lawyers at Easton & Easton.
Start a folder for the injury. Put all medical documentation, medical bills, pay stubs, lost wages, repair charges, and any other information regarding the incident in the folder.
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
Boating accidents can be extremely complicated. The legal system can be equally as complex. It is important that you have the experts at Easton & Easton leading the way to get you the compensation you deserve. Instead of focusing on the legal battle, you’ll be able to focus on your recovery, which is the most important thing.
Is There a Time Limit to File My Case?
Yes, there are time limitations in both federal and California courts. The experienced Anaheim personal injury attorneys at Easton & Easton can ensure that all time limits are adhered to.
Your priority after being injured is to ensure that you are safe and healthy. As soon as that is done, as soon as you are able, it is vital to contact our attorneys at Easton & Easton.
Your Story Is Important To Us.
CALL US SO WE CAN HEAR IT.
The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018.
Doug and Brian Easton have been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California each year since 2014 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Brian and Matt Easton were recently honored for their efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client in 2016, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California by TopVerdict.com.
Doug and Brian have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Matt Easton has been selected among Super Lawyers' Up-and-Coming Top 25 in Orange County and Top 100 in Southern Califonia, an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys under 40 years old.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen as one of the "10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms” in all of Southern California" each year Since 2015 based on client satisfaction — one of the highest honors we could ever hope to achieve.
Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been featured as Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for California since 2015 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Brian and Matt Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in AmericaTM through the results achieved for their clients. This is an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States.
Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been chosen as one of the "10 Best" Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California each year since 2015 based on client satisfaction, an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys - and Easton & Easton houses three of them.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.
Matt Easton has been selected each year since 2014 as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.
Matt Easton has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under 40 in California for 2015 by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys — an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys under the age of 40.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel among the Nation's Top One Percent of Attorneys each year since 2017.
“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
What Our Clients Say
Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…
The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…
I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…
Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…
What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…
I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!
-Allee
Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.
I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!
They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.
Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.
They are the BEST!
I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.
I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way
The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!
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