Lafayette Boat Injury Lawyer

Lafayette Boat Injury Attorney

Much like driving a car, operating a boat comes with risks and responsibilities. If you’re injured due to the negligence or misconduct of another party, you may be able to secure compensation for your losses by filing a boat injury claim. Navigating the claims process can be an involved process, which is why it’s wise to have a Lafayette boat injury lawyer on your side.

Residents in Lafayette and surrounding areas have been turning to Sanchez Burke, LLC to help them through their legal claims for decades. As an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer, our skilled attorneys can help you gather key pieces of evidence, negotiate with difficult insurance providers, and advocate for you in the courtroom when needed.

Boat Accidents in Louisiana

In 2024, the United States Coast Guard responded to 3,887 recreational boating incidents, resulting in 2,170 injuries, 556 deaths, and around $88 million in property damages. With over 300,000 recreational boats registered in Louisiana alone, it’s important to understand how to stay safe on the water and know what to do if things go awry.

There are many factors that can increase the likelihood and severity of a boat accident. Our Lafayette boat injury attorneys have experience helping our clients through the claims process after sustaining injuries due to:

• Collisions with other boats as well as docks, shallows, submerged obstacles, and wildlife.
• Driver mistakes like distracted driving, driving under the influence, or speeding.
• Engine failures, steering malfunctions, and other boat problems.
• Inclement weather that causes turbulence on the water.
• Inexperienced boaters reacting poorly to obstacles

While alcohol-related boating casualties dropped from 129 to 74 between 2020 and 2024 in Louisiana, there are plenty of other mistakes for people to make while operating a boat. As the injured party, it’s important to understand the cause of an accident to file a claim against the appropriate party or parties.

A Lafayette boat injury lawyer can help you gather the right information to file your claim and secure a fair settlement for your losses. Their help can increase your chances of success.

About Our Lafayette Boat Injury Attorneys

Sanchez Burke, LLC has been helping Louisianans through complex personal injury cases for decades. Our attorneys understand the process of negotiating with insurance providers and handling litigation through the 15th Judicial District Court. We’ve settled countless claims for our clients in and out of the courtroom.

We can’t guarantee results for your case based on our track record, but you can have peace of mind knowing you’re working with a team you can trust. Our attorneys go above and beyond to work with financial professionals, investigators, and psychologists to gather the appropriate evidence that supports your claim.

• 10.0 Avvo rating
• Featured in the Best Lawyers in America®
• Rated as Rising Stars by SuperLawyers®
• Recognized in Acadiana Profile Magazine’s “Top Lawyers of Acadiana”
• Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
• Top Lawyers in Louisiana*

FAQs About Boat Injury Law

Who Do I Hold Liable in a Boat Accident in Lafayette?

Who you hold liable in a boat accident in Lafayette is ultimately going to depend on how the accident occurred. Boating accidents can involve drivers, vessel owners, insurance companies, part manufacturers, and even property owners.

More than one party can be at fault in a boat accident case. It’s imperative that you understand how the accident occurred. That way, you can gather relevant information to support your claim and recover compensation from the appropriate parties.

What Compensation Can I Receive After a Boat Accident in Lafayette?

The compensation you can receive after a boat accident in Lafayette depends on the nature and scope of your losses. Under Louisiana’s personal injury laws, claimants can file to recover economic and non-economic damages.

Common recoverable damages in boat accident claims include:

• Disability
• Loss of quality of life
• Lost wages and future earning potential
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Property damages

A Lafayette boat accident lawyer can help you understand the full scope of damages you can secure.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Boat Injury Lawyer in Lafayette?

The cost of hiring a boat injury lawyer in Lafayette is mostly contingent on how much you recover through your settlement. Lafayette personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if you secure a settlement.

The amount they recover is going to hinge on the complexity of your case. For example, cases that settle out of court are likely going to require fewer resources than one that enters litigation.

How Do Boating Accidents Differ From Maritime Accidents in Lafayette?

How boating accidents differ from maritime accidents in Lafayette involves the laws that protect injured parties. Boating accidents can involve individuals on commercial vessels, cruise ships, kayaks and canoes, motorboats, personal watercrafts, and sailboats.

Maritime accidents involve offshore workers and employees covered under maritime law. Rather than being covered by state workers’ compensation benefits, maritime workers are covered under federal statutes like the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

Hire a Boat Injury Lawyer to Help With Your Claim After an Accident in Lafayette

If you’re injured in a boat accident, you have avenues to explore for recovering the appropriate compensation. Louisiana’s boat injury laws make it possible for you to hold the appropriate party or parties responsible for the accident. A Lafayette boat injury attorney can help you navigate these laws to secure a fair settlement.

For decades, Sanchez Burke, LLC has been navigating personal injury claims on land and at sea. As a trusted law firm in Louisiana, we know what it takes to navigate complex negotiations with at-fault parties and handle litigation through the 15th Judicial District Court in Lafayette Parish.

If you’re ready to discuss your case in more detail, reach out to our team to set up a consultation with a trusted attorney. We’re located nearby in New Iberia on East Main Street, right along the Bayou Teche. You can also find us in Lake Charles.

*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.