Folsom Boating Accident Lawyer
Folsom Lake and the surrounding waterways draw in locals and visitors year-round for boating, jet skiing, and swimming. It’s common to see families and friends spending a lot of time out on the water having fun, but sometimes accidents happen. When a boating accident at Folsom Lake, or Lake Natoma is caused by someone’s lack of attention or disregard for others’ safety, the results can be devastating.
If you’ve been hurt in a boating wreck, a Folsom accident lawyer will guide you through what comes next, helping you seek answers and the financial support you need from whoever was responsible.
Types of Boating Accidents in Folsom
Boating can be enjoyable, but accidents can happen in many ways out on the water. Understanding the basic types of boating accidents is important if you’ve been hurt or know someone who has.
- Collisions between vessels: Two boats striking each other is one of the most common situations, and injuries often result.
- Jet ski or personal watercraft crashes: These smaller vehicles can be fast and hard to control, leading to major injuries if they hit something or toss riders off of them.
- Passengers falling overboard: Sometimes, people lose balance or slip, ending up in the water. This can lead to drowning or other injuries.
- Capsizing or sinking vessels: Boats that flip or take on water can leave everyone onboard at serious risk.
- Propeller injuries: Getting caught near rotating propellers can cause severe and life-threatening injuries.
- Dock accidents: Problems can also occur on or near the docks.
If you’ve been injured in any of these ways, you could have a valid boating accident claim.
Common Causes of Boating Accidents in Folsom
Knowing the most common causes can help you stay alert and safer on the water. Below are some of the most common issues that lead to these incidents:
Boating Under the Influence
It’s dangerous to drive a car after drinking, and the same rules apply on water. Alcohol or drug use slows both reaction time and clear thinking. Even small amounts make it much harder to spot a problem and avoid a crash.
Speeding or Reckless Operation
Fast boats and careless handling are often the cause of these accidents. Speeding makes it so you can’t react to hazards as quickly – if you’re even able to see them. Making aggressive turns or sudden moves can throw passengers off-balance, causing injuries or people to fall into the water.
Equipment Failure or Mechanical Issues
Sometimes accidents happen even when operators are focused and responsible. Mechanical breakdown, like problems with steering, engines, navigation lights, or safety gear, can lead to serious crashes.
Overcrowded Waters and Unsafe Conditions
When lakes get busy, risks multiply. More people competing for limited space increases the likelihood that boats will crash into each other or hit a person in the water.
Poor Weather or Low Visibility
Bad weather adds another level of danger. Sudden rain, heavy fog, storms, or darkness at night can make signals, docks, or floating debris disappear from view until it’s too late. It’s easy to get lost, disoriented, or to panic when you can’t see well.
If you or someone you care about has been affected by a boating accident, understanding what happened is often the first step to finding help and accountability.
Recoverable Damages After a Boat Accident Caused by Someone’s Negligence
If you were hurt in a boat accident because someone else was negligent, the law in California may allow you to seek money for many types of losses. This usually includes:
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover losses you can measure with bills, receipts, and similar evidence. This makes them fairly straightforward to calculate. For example, if you had to go to the hospital, needed surgery, or had to miss work because of your injuries, you can seek compensation for those costs. Economic damages usually include any other out-of-pocket expenses you were forced to pay or will have to pay due to the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are not objectively tied to dollar amounts. These cover the emotional and physical costs that are harder to add up on paper. Examples include pain, emotional stress, visible scars, difficulty enjoying life, or struggles in your relationships that result from the accident. Although it’s not easy to put a price on these issues, California law recognizes they are real and meaningful harm that deserve compensation.
Punitive Damages
Sometimes, someone’s conduct goes beyond carelessness. If an individual’s actions involve fraud, malice, or oppression, California law allows the court to award punitive damages. The goal is not to make up for your personal losses but rather to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar behavior from happening again.
(a) In an action for the breach of an obligation not arising from contract, where it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant has been guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice, the plaintiff, in addition to the actual damages, may recover damages for the sake of example and by way of punishing the defendant.
To learn more about what you could be entitled to and what you need to do to get compensated, we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our accident lawyers.