Miami witnesses around seven severe boat accidents annually. After a boating accident, you might feel the temptation to handle everything on your own. After all, the people responsible for your injuries are likely boat owners themselves, and their insurance companies will give you what you deserve.
While that may be true in some accident cases, there are several reasons why it makes sense to hire a Miami Boating Accident Lawyer to handle your case. Here are five of those reasons.
1. Their Legal Experience Can Win Your Case Easily
Boat owners know that the road rules apply to them too, but it can be challenging for law enforcement officers to determine who is at fault in a boating accident on the water. As a result, often more than one party is at fault, but no one will take responsibility.
If someone crashes into your boat from behind, and the court determines that both parties are negligent in some way, in that case, the judge could decide that you’re entitled to compensation from both parties.
On the other hand, if you go after just one of those parties without a Miami Boating Accident Lawyer, there’s a chance you’ll lose even though it is the other party who caused the accident. For this reason, it’s usually not advisable to attempt to go up against boat owners without an attorney on your side.
2. Their Legal Team Will Be Able to Determine who is Negligent
In addition to determining whether both parties are negligent, an experienced lawyer will have teams of investigators who can evaluate exactly how the accident occurred.
For instance, those investigators might be able to determine whether a boat’s steering or engine failed before an accident occurred. They could even provide expert testimony about what caused it during the case.
The more evidence you have to show that the other party is negligent, the higher your chances of a successful case.
3. They Know How to Handle Insurance Companies
When you’re up against a major corporation, insurance companies might try to insist that your injuries are not their fault. They may try to point out anyone at the spot – including you – to lower their responsibility and the amount of restitution they have to give you.
If you try to handle everything on your own, there’s a chance that your tactic will not succeed – leaving you with nothing. On the other hand, an attorney who knows how to present evidence clearly and effectively can ensure that the insurance companies don’t get away with it.
4. You Could Settle Your Legal Case Out of Court
Insurance companies are often anxious to settle cases quickly and quietly so that their name doesn’t take a hit in the media for being negligent. Therefore, your case might be able to be settled out of court before the court receives any evidence.
5. The Judge Will Not Go Easy on You
Since there’s a good chance that the judge will be very familiar with boat owners and their insurance companies, they will not give you special treatment for trying to negotiate your settlement. You’re very likely to get laughed at if you try to present your case without an attorney.
On the other hand, having an experienced attorney on your side can make all the difference in how sympathetic a judge will be to you and your case.
Wrapping Up
For these reasons and more, it’s always best to hire an experienced boating accident lawyer after such an incident occurs.
