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There is nothing quite like the freedom of being out on the lake. Whether you are spending the day under the sun on Lake Topaz or you plan to fish on Pyramid Lake, the Reno area has some of the best water fun out there. Unfortunately, boat accidents are an ever-present danger.

If you’ve suffered from an injury due to a negligent boat operator or other party while out on the water, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses. Our Reno boat accident lawyers understand that you’re likely facing one of the toughest moments in your life, and our team is prepared to help you through it.

Do I Need a Reno Boat Accident Lawyer?

After a boating accident near Reno, you might wonder if you can handle the claim on your own. While it’s possible, the reality is that boat accident claims are often complicated and filled with legal pitfalls. Trying to negotiate directly with insurance companies or at-fault parties without legal experience can leave you vulnerable to lowball offers or mistakes that could cost you your claim.

Boating accidents on lakes and recreational waters can involve serious injuries, multiple liable parties, and complex Nevada boating laws and safety regulations. Without an attorney’s guidance, you might miss critical deadlines, overlook evidence, or underestimate the full extent of your damages.

At Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers, our team can handle the key steps for you, including:

• Conducting a detailed investigation to uncover what really happened and identify everyone responsible
• Expertly evaluating all of your losses, ensuring nothing is overlooked
• Helping you understand how Nevada’s boating laws and liability rules affect your claim
• Handling all communications and negotiations with insurance companies and taking your case to court if necessary

Don’t risk settling for less than what your claim is truly worth or losing your right to recover at all. We’re here to help you pursue your claim effectively.

Types of Boat Accident Cases We Handle in Reno

Reno boating accidents come in many forms, and while collisions are a common cause, our experience extends to a wide range of incidents where negligence or unsafe conditions lead to injury or loss, including:

• Mechanical Failures: Sometimes boat components or safety equipment fail due to poor maintenance or manufacturing defects. These failures can cause serious injuries, and proving fault can be complicated.
• Collisions: Most boating collisions result from operator error, reckless behavior, or failure to follow boating safety rules. Collisions can also be caused by hidden objects in the water or mechanical problems.
• Injuries from Leaving the Vessel: Accidents related to departing the boat, such as jumping or falling into the water, can be dangerous, especially in cold conditions or rough waters. Liability may arise if unsafe conditions, lack of supervision, or reckless behavior contributed to the injury or loss.
• Flooding and Sinking: Flooding incidents often stem from poorly maintained equipment or adverse weather. When flooding leads to injury or loss, determining fault requires a detailed investigation.

Our goal is to determine how the boat accident happened, who is to blame, and what your losses are as a result.

Compensation We Can Fight For After a Reno Boat Accident

Whether you were injured in a Lake Topaz boating accident, a Pyramid Lake boat accident, or the incident happened on another body of water in the Reno area, we build your claim and fight for full compensation. Common types of boat accident compensation that we pursue in cases include:

• Medical costs associated with the injury’s emergency response and ongoing costs
• Lost wages due to being unable to work for a period of time
• Loss of earning capacity in cases that involve catastrophic injuries
• Pain and suffering, including chronic pain development
• Emotional trauma and the onset of conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder
• Loss of quality of life

When you work with our team, you can expect us to explore every possible damage you may be eligible to recover.

What Affects the Value of a Reno Boat Accident Claim?

The value of your boat accident claim depends on several important factors, and our goal is to identify all of your losses to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. One of the biggest considerations is the severity of your injuries. The more complex or serious your injuries are, the more medical treatment and rehabilitation you will likely need, which can significantly increase the value of your claim.

Catastrophic injuries, such as loss of vision or hearing, paralysis, or disfigurement, often lead to much greater losses and lasting impacts. These types of injuries require careful evaluation to ensure that your compensation reflects not only immediate medical expenses but also long-term care and diminished quality of life.

Another critical factor is Nevada’s comparative negligence law. If you are found to have contributed even slightly to the cause of the accident or your injuries, it could reduce the amount of compensation you receive.

Understanding How Nevada’s Comparative Negligence Law May Affect Your Boat Accident Case

Nevada operates under a modified comparative negligence law. Under this law, you have the right to pursue compensation for the losses you have suffered as long as your negligence in the accident is not greater than that of the defendant. That means you are only able to pursue damages if you were 50% or less at fault for the accident. However, note that your compensation may be reduced.

For example, if you are found to be 30% responsible for the accident, you can only recover 70% of the total damages. We will work to ensure this percentage is as low as possible to minimize the reduction in compensation you are paid.

Steps to Take After a Boat Accident Near Reno

Knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath of a boating accident is vital to protecting yourself and your potential legal claim. Here are several steps to take after a boat accident.

1. Make sure you and everyone else are safe.
2. Contact the authorities to report the accident, especially if injuries occurred.
3. Gather the information available to you to hold those who hurt you accountable. That includes the names and addresses of the boat operator, vessel registration numbers, insurance information, and witness information.
4. Seek medical care for your accident injuries. Do not delay in getting medical care.
5. If you are required to notify your insurer about the incident, do so, but avoid submitting a formal claim or detailed statement until you’ve spoken with our attorneys.

If you’ve been involved in a boat accident in the Reno area, do not delay in contacting us. Our legal team will work closely with you to overcome the challenges you’re facing throughout this process.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim After a Boat Accident?

Under the state’s statute of limitations, victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in court for losses incurred. If you wait beyond this timeframe, you may be unable to recover damages at all. This may seem like a generous amount of time, but keep in mind that negotiating and settling a claim can take anywhere from a few months to over a year. That’s why we encourage you to contact our boat accident lawyers in Reno immediately for guidance.