Santa Cruz County Boat Accident Lawyers Seek Justice for Victims
Effective representation for injuries and drownings along the California Central Coast
One of the greatest attractions of California is its scenic coastline with many recreational opportunities. Unfortunately, there is a downside. Each year, according to the California Division of Boating and Waterways, there are hundreds of watercraft accidents on our lakes, rivers and bays and in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that in 2019, California accounted for six percent of all recreational boating fatalities in U.S. waters. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident caused by someone’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated. A Santa Cruz County California boat accident attorney at The Grunsky Law Firm PC can provide effective counsel that gets positive results.
Common boating accidents in California waters
Accidents may occur with any type of recreational watercraft, including sailboats, yachts, motorboats, canoes, kayaks, jet skis and rafts. The most common incidents include:
- Collisions with another vessel
- Collisions with a fixed object
- Swamping, sinking or capsizing
- Falls in a vessel
- Falls overboard
- Ejections from vessels
- Fires
In heavily trafficked bodies of water, it is not unusual for a swimmer to be struck by a vessel or its propeller, causing severe injuries or even death.
The leading causes of boating accidents cited by the United States Coast Guard include:
- Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Excessive speed
- Sharp turns
- Navigation rules violations
- Operator inattention or distraction
- Operator inexperience
- Weather or water conditions
From this list, it is apparent that the majority of boating accidents are the result of human error. It should come as no surprise that the common causes of boating accidents overlap with those of auto accidents.
Proving fault in a California boating accident
Boating accidents can cause severe personal injury and even wrongful death. But proving fault can be difficult, because boating accidents are harder to reconstruct than car crashes. There are no skid marks and the debris vanishes quickly. Nevertheless, our legal team has developed investigative protocols to determine what caused the accident and who is at fault. We examine physical evidence and pore over official reports to formulate a theory of causation. We canvas for witnesses and interview them in-depth, getting their testimony on record as soon as practicable. We also consult with medical experts to understand the nature and the extent of the injuries that result. We are determined to maximize the amount of compensation you recover for medical expenses, lost income, lost quality of life and pain and suffering.
Contact an effective boating accident law firm serving Santa Cruz, Hollister and Watsonville
The Grunsky Law Firm PC provides effective, timely and innovative legal representation for victims of boating accidents on the Central Coast of California. If you’ve suffered a serious injury or have lost a loved one in such an incident, call us at 831-740-8881 or contact our office online to schedule a consultation. Our firm accepts boating accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees until you recover compensation.