Costa Mesa Boating Accident Lawyer
Costa Mesa Boating Accident Attorney
Many people in the Costa Mesa area enjoy boating, but it is vital to know the risks you face on the water and what to do after a boating accident occurs. If you or a family member recently experienced a boating accident due to another party’s actions, you have the right to pursue accountability and compensation for your damages. An experienced Costa Mesa boating accident lawyer can be an invaluable resource in this situation.
Helping Boating Accident Victims Recover in Costa Mesa, CA
The attorneys at Easton & Easton have years of professional experience resolving all kinds of personal injury cases in Costa Mesa, including those pertaining to boating accidents. While a boating accident is likely to generate similar legal proceedings as you could expect after a motor vehicle accident on land, it is imperative that you acknowledge the value of having trustworthy legal counsel on your side as you pursue your recovery.
You may be able to file an insurance claim against whoever caused your accident, but a personal injury claim is likely to be your most effective legal vehicle for securing compensation for your damages. With the right Costa Mesa boating accident law firm on your side, you can approach this process with confidence and have a greater chance of maximizing your recovery with your attorney’s help.
Our team takes a client-focused approach to personal injury counsel. This means we can get to know you and learn the effects your boating accident has had on your life. We can identify all available channels of compensation and help determine the full extent of the damages you can seek from the party responsible for causing the accident. Ultimately, you are more likely to not only win your case but also maximize your recovery with the right attorney on your side.
Proving Liability for a Boating Accident in Costa Mesa
The state upholds the fault rule for resolving all vehicle accident cases, including boating accidents. This means you must identify the party or parties responsible for causing the accident before you will be able to recover compensation for your damages. Boating accidents can happen in various ways, and a few of the most common examples that lead to personal injury claims in the Costa Mesa area include:
- Distraction or inattention. Distracted driving is as much of a hazard on the water as it is on the road. If a boat operator is not paying attention while their vessel is in motion, they can easily cause a damaging collision.
- Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. California’s laws against driving under the influence (DUI) apply to watercraft the same as they apply to motor vehicles on land. If your boating accident happened because a boat operator was intoxicated, they would face liability for your damages and prosecution for DUI.
- Speeding and no wake violations. The wake is the wave created by a boat as it moves through the water, and boats create larger waves at higher speeds. Many waterways in the Costa Mesa area have no wake zones, meaning boat operators may not move their vessels fast enough to create wakes. Violations can lead to collisions in various ways, as a boat operator may not have time to stop to avoid a crash.
- Collisions with other vessels and underwater hazards. Boat operators are required to stay vigilant at all times to prevent collisions with other watercraft, swimmers in the water, and underwater hazards like large rocks. Failure to account for these hazards can easily lead to very damaging accidents.
- Safety equipment failures. Boat operators are required to ensure their vessels have fire extinguishers, first aid supplies, flares, and lifejackets for all passengers on the boat. If the operator does not have this equipment or fails to regularly check this equipment to ensure functionality, they can face liability for resulting damages.
Whenever negligence causes a personal injury in Costa Mesa, the victim will need to prove that the defendant failed to act with reasonable care in the situation and, in doing so, directly caused the damages cited in the claim. Alternatively, when illegal misconduct has caused a personal injury, it is likely that the state will file criminal charges against the defendant, and the victim can proceed with a separate civil claim against them to seek compensation for their damages.
Claiming Compensation for Your Boating Accident in Costa Mesa
If the party at fault for your recent boating accident has appropriate insurance coverage, it is possible to file a claim against their insurance for some initial recovery from your damages. However, it may not be an option, or their insurance may not fully cover your losses. If you are unable to fully recover your damages through insurance, you need to file a personal injury claim against the party responsible for causing your boating accident.
The plaintiff in a personal injury claim has the right to seek full repayment of all economic damages the defendant inflicted with their actions. These are likely to include property damage, medical expenses, and lost income, and they are also able to claim projected future damages. For example, if you are permanently disabled from your accident, you can seek compensation for the future income you are no longer able to earn.
Aside from economic damages, a plaintiff also has the right to seek pain and suffering compensation. California law does not limit pain and suffering compensation in vehicle accident claims, so the plaintiff has the right to claim as much as they believe to be appropriate to reflect the severity of their experience. Your Costa Mesa boating accident lawyer can help determine a fair amount to include in your claim.
The attorneys at Easton & Easton are ready to provide compassionate legal counsel through all stages of your case. We have a strong record of success due to our commitment to client-focused legal counsel and helping every client maximize their recovery as fully as state law allows. Connect with our team as soon as possible to ensure you meet the procedural deadlines for filing your case.
FAQs About Boating Accidents
Q: What Should a Boat Operator Do First After a Boating Accident in Costa Mesa?
A: State law requires a boat operator to stop their vessel immediately after any type of boating accident has occurred. They should check everyone onboard for injuries and call 911. The same rule for reporting applies to boat accidents as it applies to motor vehicle accidents. Failure to report an accident can lead to severe legal penalties.
Q: What Happens if a Boat Accident Is Fatal?
A: If you have lost a family member in a fatal boating accident in Costa Mesa, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim if a specific party is directly responsible for causing the accident. Just like a personal injury claim, a wrongful death claim requires proving fault for the damages, and state law dictates eligibility to file a claim and the damages available to the victim’s beneficiaries.
Q: What Are the New Boating Laws in 2023?
A: As of January 2023, all boat operators under the age of 50 are required to carry a new Boater Card. This rule will expand to all boat operators of all ages by 2025. To secure a Boater Card, the individual must pass a written course to prove they are capable of safely operating a boat. There is no minimum age requirement, and the process is relatively quick. If you operate a boat without a state Boater Card, you can face fines and other penalties.
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Boating Accident in Costa Mesa?
A: If you are able to prove that another party is directly responsible for causing your recent boating accident, you have the right to seek full compensation for any damages they caused. These damages may include your property losses, medical treatment costs, and lost wages when your injuries prevent you from working. You can also claim as much pain and suffering compensation as you deem appropriate to reflect the severity of your experience.
Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Costa Mesa Boating Accident Lawyer?
A: The team at Easton & Easton accepts boating accident claims and other civil claims for damages on a contingency basis. With a contingency fee agreement, the client pays legal fees to their attorney only after the attorney wins their case, and the fee is a percentage of the total amount recovered from the defendant. There is no fee if the attorney cannot obtain a recovery, so there is no risk of the client paying more for representation than they win in compensation.
If you are unsure how to proceed with your boating accident claim in Costa Mesa, the team at Easton & Easton is ready to assist you. You have a limited time in which to pursue your recovery, so it is vital to reach out to legal counsel you can trust as soon as possible after your accident to have the greatest chance of success with your case. Contact Easton & Easton today to learn how a Costa Mesa boating accident lawyer can help with your recovery.
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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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