Located just miles from the world-famous Lake Tahoe, Reno is a destination for people seeking activities on the water. Speed boats, jet skis, and other watercraft are a common sight on the rivers and at the marinas, often attracting locals and tourists. Northern California contains numerous rivers, deltas, beautiful lakes, and stunning coastline.
Like any type of vehicle, boats and other watercraft must be operated responsibly to ensure the safety of the person operating it, passengers, and other people in the surrounding area. If you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident, REA Law can help.
Attorney Raymond E. Areshenko has extensive experience in many different types of motor vehicle accident claims, including those involving boats. Start building your case by calling 775-300-7594 (NV) or 916-800-6090 (CA) for a free consultation with REA Law. We serve clients in and around Reno - Sparks and throughout Nevada. REA Law also has offices in Sacramento servicing California.
Types of Boating Accidents
Although any type of boat or watercraft can be involved in an accident, motorized boats and jet skis have the highest likelihood of serious injury. Most of these accidents are caused by the careless actions of the operator.
Common causes of boat accidents include:
- BUI, or boating under the influence
- Distractions, such as passenger activity on the boat, eating, and cell phone use
- Lack of experience operating a boat
- Excess speed
Passengers on the boat can also sustain injury if they move around the deck while the vessel is in motion or place themselves outside of seating areas on the bow, sides, or stern. All parties aboard the boat should wear lifejackets.
BUI Accidents in Nevada
People may assume that the laws governing alcohol consumption and operating a vehicle are different on the water than they are on land. However, this is not the case. Under Nevada law, operating a boat with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% is against the law - just like it would be for someone driving a car.
Boats are vehicles, not toys. When somebody drinks and gets behind the wheel of a boat, they are putting themselves in danger.
If alcohol was a factor in the boat accident that caused your injury, contact REA Law today. Attorney Raymond E. Areshenko will pursue maximum compensation in your case.
Compensation in a Boat Accident Case
Brain injuries, loss of limbs, and spinal cord damage are just a few of the life-altering injuries that can occur in boating accidents. At REA Law, we fully investigate the facts of your case and how the accident has affected you and your family.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to damages for the following in a boat accident lawsuit:
- Medical expenses, rehabilitation, and disability modifications to your home and vehicle
- Lost wages from the time you miss from work
- Future lost income from the inability or diminished ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages, in cases where the defendant exhibited a “conscious disregard” for the safety of others
A boat accident might also involve drowning deaths and other types of fatalities. If you lost a loved to another party’s negligence in a boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the above expenses as well as funeral and burial costs, loss of anticipated income through the family member’s occupation, and loss of consortium through a wrongful death claim.
Contact REA Law Today
If you were injured in a boating accident on Lake Tahoe, the Truckee River, or another waterway in Reno - Sparks or throughout Nevada, call 775-300-7594 today for a complimentary case review. REA Law also has offices in Sacramento servicing the greater Northern California area. For cases in California, call 916-800-6090.
