Oak Island Boat Accident Lawyer

Oak Island Boat Accident Attorney

Boating is a popular pastime in the Oak Island area, and while most boaters are able to enjoy their time on the water without issue, boating accidents can happen for many reasons. It’s vital to know your rights and your options for legal recourse if you have recently been injured in a boating accident that someone else caused. An experienced Oak Island boat accident lawyer is the ideal resource to have on your side in this situation.

Helping Clients in Oak Island, NC, Recover From Boating Accidents

The team at Christina Rivenbark & Associates has more than 30 years of professional experience handling all types of personal injury cases for our clients in Oak Island and surrounding areas. We know how damaging any boat accident can be and that you are likely to have many pressing legal questions in the aftermath of this kind of incident. Our firm is confident we can help you recover as fully as possible in the most efficient manner.

When you choose our firm to represent your case, we can immediately begin gathering the evidence you need to prove fault for your recent boating accident. Once we have established liability, we can develop an individualized legal strategy that aims for maximum compensation for your damages. You have a limited time in which to pursue your recovery, and our team is ready to provide responsive legal support through all stages of your case.

Claiming Compensation for a Boating Accident in Oak Island

Accidents on the water can involve boats, Jet Skis or other types of personal watercraft. These accidents can be caused by issues such as:

The average person may be able to identify immediately recognizable damages after a boating accident. However, a boating injury attorney is the ideal resource for accurately determining the full scope of damages you can seek from the defendant who caused your accident. Your successful personal injury claim could yield compensation for various economic damages, including:

• Property losses. The defendant is liable for repairing or replacing any of your property lost in the accident.
• Medical expenses. If you suffered physical harm in the boating accident, the defendant is liable for all medical care you need to recover as fully as possible from your injuries. This includes future medical treatment if you require ongoing rehabilitative care.
• Lost income. If you are unable to work after the accident due to your injuries, the defendant is responsible for the income you are unable to earn. This also applies to lost future earning capacity if you have been permanently disabled and will not be able to return to work in the future.

In addition to these economic damages, you also have the right to seek compensation for your pain and suffering. North Carolina law does not limit this aspect of a plaintiff’s recovery in most personal injury claims, so it is possible that your pain and suffering compensation may exceed the total of all your claimed economic damages. Christina Rivenbark & Associates can carefully review the details of your accident and help uncover all available avenues of compensation.

Contact A Boating Accident Lawyer in Wilmington, NC

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can occur if victims hit their head or sustain a hard blow to the body that bounces the brain against the skull. Brain damage due to lack of oxygen is often the result of drowning. TBI and brain damage are often permanent. Depending on the severity of the injury, victims may need extensive medical treatment and long-term care.

Broken bones, back and neck injuries, and spinal cord injuries are also possible in a traumatic accident. In the worst boat accidents, wrongful death may be the result. We can seek damages from the negligent party to cover all of your losses from the accident.

Please call our office at 9102518080 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-risk consultation.

FAQs About Oak Island, NC Boat Accident Laws

What Are Boat Operators Required to Do After an Accident?

State law requires that after a boating accident happens, the boat operator must stop the boat immediately, check on those onboard for injuries, and contact the authorities to report the accident. Failure to meet these responsibilities can lead to serious penalties, including fines and even criminal charges, depending on the details of the incident. Your boating injury attorney in NC can advise you on how any such factors may influence your recovery.

What Is the BUI Law?

BUI, or boating under the influence, is the waterborne equivalent of driving while intoxicated (DWI). The same rules apply for vehicle operation on the water as they do on land, and it is illegal for anyone to operate a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Penalties for BUI conviction in North Carolina can include fines, jail time, suspension of driver’s license and boating license, and more.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for a Boating Accident?

If you plan to pursue a personal injury claim, you must file your complaint with the court within three years of the date your accident happened. This statute of limitations applies to most personal injuries reported in the state. If you plan to file a claim against another party’s vehicle insurance, you face an even shorter time limit, so it’s ideal to consult an experienced Oak Island boating accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.

Can a Boat Operator Go to Jail for Causing a Boating Accident?

Yes, it is possible for an at-fault boat operator to face jail time and other penalties if they caused the accident through any type of illegal misconduct, such as BUI or intentional recklessness. If this applies to your case, the defendant may not only owe you compensation for your civil damages, but they may also be forced to pay punitive damages and/or restitution for breaking the law.

How Much Will It Cost to Hire an Oak Island Boating Accident Lawyer?

The team at Christina Rivenbark & Associates can provide the legal counsel you need without adding to your financial problems in the aftermath of your accident. We take personal injury cases on contingency, meaning you will only pay a fee after we win your case, and your fee is a percentage of the total compensation we recover for you. There is no fee if our firm is unable to secure compensation for your damages, so there is no risk to you in choosing us as your legal counsel.

Contact Us

You have a limited time in which to pursue compensation for your damages after any personal injury in Oak Island, and the sooner you connect with an attorney you can trust, the more likely you are to succeed with your recovery efforts. If you are ready to learn what a seasoned Oak Island boating accident lawyer can do for your case, contact Christina Rivenbark & Associates today to schedule your consultation with our team.