Did you recently suffer injuries in a boat accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota? You may have the right to recover compensation for your medical treatment, suffering, and lost wages. Do not hesitate to call an experienced Minneapolis boating accident lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys to help you fight to get every cent you deserve at (800) 292-1979.
Since our founding in 1979, we’ve been unwavering advocates for victims of Minneapolis boating accidents, wrongful death cases, Minneapolis catastrophic injuries, brain injuries, product liability cases, and more.
As award-winning Minnesota trial attorneys, we’ve earned a reputation for going above and beyond for clients like you. Our results speak for themselves – winning millions and gaining unparalleled client satisfaction in the process.
Contact our law office in Minneapolis, MN for a free initial case assessment today.
How Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help After a Boating Accident in Minneapolis, MN
Why did the boat accident happen? How could it have been avoided? Who’s at fault? Is it definitely the person who was operating the vessel? What types of evidence will you need to win your case? How much money can you get by filing a claim, anyway?
You’ll face considerable resistance as you work to answer these – and other – important questions about your boating accident. Show those responsible (and their insurance companies) that you’re serious about getting the compensation you deserve by calling Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys
Our Minneapolis personal injury lawyers have extensive experience handling complex boat accident cases like yours. Our in-depth knowledge of Minnesota tort law and relationships with leading boat accident experts can help to put you in the position you need to get the best possible results.
We’re ready to take on negligent boat operators, vessel manufacturers, employers, boat rental companies, and anyone else who attempts to stand between you and the compensation you deserve.
While you rest and recover, our top-rated Minneapolis litigators will:
- Coordinate and oversee a thorough investigation of your boat accident
- Gather and analyze important evidence, including vessel maintenance logs, photographs, witness statements, damage to the vessel and other property, clothing worn at the time of the accident, accident reports, and more
- Strengthen our understanding of the accident by consulting boating specialists, medical professionals, and other experts
- Aggressively negotiate the terms of a settlement with other parties on your behalf
- Provide advice and guidance throughout the negotiation process
- Prepare to reject low offers and bring your case to trial, if necessary
The costs of a boating accident can be quite high. It’s easy to get overwhelmed financially. That’s why our Minneapolis law firm works on a contingency fee basis. You only pay if we win your boating accident case – end of story.
Give us a call or visit our law office in Minneapolis or connect with us online to get started.
Minnesota Boating Accident Statistics
Minnesota isn’t called the Land of 10,000 Lakes for nothing. The state is home to many beautiful lakes and waterways. Many are near Minneapolis in Hennepin County, including the Mississippi River, which runs through the heart of the city.
Where there’s water, there are boats. And boating accidents aren’t all that uncommon. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 87 boat accidents were reported across the state in 2021. This reflected a significant decline from 2020, when Minnesota waters saw 105 boating accidents within its borders.
In 2021, 18 people were killed in Minnesota boating accidents.
Waterways in Hennepin County near Minneapolis were home to many of the state’s fatal boating accidents. Among them are Lake Nokomis, Lake Minnetonka, the Mississippi River, and Loring Pond.
What Causes Minneapolis Boat Accidents?
Negligence – the failure to exercise reasonable care – is the leading cause of boating accidents in Minneapolis.
Specifically, some of the most common causes include:
- Operator inexperience
- Speeding
- Improper lookout
- Operator distraction
- Operation intoxication
- Violating state and/or federal navigation rules
- Negligent vessel maintenance
- Operating the vessel in dangerous conditions
Other contributing factors include boat defects, mechanical failures, and hazardous waters.
It’s important to identify all potential contributing factors. Knowing and understanding why and how the boat accident happened is critical. Once the cause is established, our boat accident attorneys in Minneapolis can determine who’s at fault and work to hold them personally responsible for the harm they’ve caused.
Who Could Be Liable for a Boat Accident in Minneapolis?
We know that negligence is the leading cause of boat accidents in Minneapolis. Under state law, anyone whose negligence contributes to a boat accident – directly or indirectly – can be liable for resulting damages.
Depending on the specific facts of your case, potentially negligent and liable parties might include:
- Boat operator
- Boat passenger
- Boat rental company
- Employer of negligent boat operator
- Boat maintenance company or professional
- Property owner
Negligence isn’t the only reason boating accidents happen. Sometimes boat accidents are the result of a mechanical or vessel defect. In these situations, the company that designed, manufactured, or sold the defective boat could be strictly liable for an accident.
How Does Shared Responsibility Affect My Minnesota Boating Accident Case?
You get into a boat accident with another vessel. The other operator begins to point fingers and blame you. What does this mean for your ability to recover compensation in a related boat injury claim?
Simply put, you can still recover some compensation if you are partly to blame, but only if you’re not mostly at fault.
Under Minnesota’s modified comparative negligence law, there is a 51 percent bar to recovery. Damages are reduced proportionately up to 50 percent. Once liability exceeds half, damages are disallowed.
If you’re assigned half of the blame for your boat accident, your financial award will be cut in half. If you’re assigned 51 percent of the blame, you will not be able to recover any damages from a third party.
Our boat accident attorneys in Minneapolis will be ready to help you fight back against these victim-blaming tactics. We will demand proof of your alleged negligence and work to uncover evidence of our own that contests these claims.
What Damages Are Available To Minneapolis Boat Accident Victims?
When you file an insurance claim or lawsuit after a boating accident in Minneapolis, you can generally recover compensatory damages.
Compensatory damages include economic damages to offset financial losses and non-economic damages to make up for the personal suffering and life changes you experience.
Our Minneapolis boating accident attorneys will fight to recover all of the damages available to you under Minnesota state law, which can include money for:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Disability
- Lost wages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Nursing assistance
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
Punitive damages may also be available, but only in situations when a jury determines that the defendant displayed a deliberate disregard for your rights and safety.
Common Boat Accident Injuries
Boat accidents can be more catastrophic than other types of accidents, like car accidents or slips and falls. Why? Boat accidents typically happen on the water, which adds a layer of complexity to matters. Not only are boat operators and passengers vulnerable to all of the injuries an occupant of a car would be, but also those associated with exposure to or submersion in the water.
Some common boat accident injuries include:
- Drowning
- Oxygen deprivation
- Hypothermia
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck injury
- Back injury
- Lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Amputation
- Burns
- Chest injury
- Internal bleeding
- Minneapolis catastrophic injury
- Minneapolis wrongful death
Once you’ve made it to shore, get to the closest hospital in Minneapolis. You’ll want to make sure that your health is thoroughly evaluated as soon as possible. Oftentimes, boat accident victims can suffer internal injuries. If these aren’t diagnosed promptly, they can worsen and cause serious (if not life-threatening) complications.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Minnesota Boating Accident Lawsuits?
Minnesota’s statute of limitations restricts the time to file a boat accident lawsuit in Minneapolis.
The deadline for your case will depend on various issues and factors – so we recommend seeking advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Once time runs out, so does your opportunity to assert your rights and demand compensation. Don’t let that happen. Call Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for help right away.
We Handle All Types of Boating Accident Cases in Minneapolis
At Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we represent clients who’ve suffered injuries in boat accidents involving:
- Kayaks
- Canoes
- Speedboats
- Motorboats
- Sailboats
- Jet skis
- Waterskis
- Yachts
- Pontoon boats
- Party boats
- Commercial fishing boats
- Charter cruises
- Tour boats
We have the experience and insight you’ll need to make the most of your boat accident case. Call our law office in Minneapolis to learn more.
Set Up a Free Consultation With an Experienced Minneapolis Boating Accident Lawyer
Have you or a family member recently suffered injuries in a boat accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota? Don’t struggle with the costs and consequences on your own. Call Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys and discover how our award-winning Minneapolis boating accident lawyers can help you fight to maximize your financial award.
We’ll help you fight back against those responsible for your catastrophic boat injuries. We’ll help you demand financial justice for the pain and suffering you’ve endured. We’ll invest 40+ years of experience so that you have every opportunity to get the money you need and deserve.
Visit our Minneapolis office or call us to get started. Your first consultation is free.
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Visit Our Law Office In Minneapolis, MN
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Minneapolis
825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 615
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: (800) 292-1979
Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
