A boat accident attorney notes that authorities in Honolulu have announced that a boat operator who allegedly struck and killed a person off the coast of Kailua in January 2016 may be charged with negligent homicide. Negligent boaters who cause injury to others can also be liable to compensate those they have harmed, regardless of the outcome of any criminal charges. When people are injured or killed in boating accidents, the injured party or surviving family members may be eligible to seek compensation with the help of a boat accident lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
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Report: Water Crowded With Swimmers at The Time of the Incident
The operator of a Zodiac boat that was involved in a deadly accident near Honolulu in January 2016, could soon face charges of negligent homicide, according to local prosecutors. KHNL News reports that the incident occurred off Kailua beach when the vessel allegedly struck a person in the water, fatally injured him. People who were present at the scene indicated to a local news station that the boat operator was allegedly traveling at excessive speeds when the accident occurred, even though he was operating the vessel in an area where an estimated 225 people were in the water.
The investigation of the accident has been turned over from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities do not believe that the boat operator was intoxicated, but in light of the circumstances, they are still considering pressing charges of negligent homicide. The man has previously been cited for allegedly operating his vessel without proof of completing a safety course, the website reported.
Negligent Boating Can Lead to Civil Liability, Regardless of any Criminal Charges
A negligent boating accident lawsuit is expected as a result of the Hawaii boating accident death. Lawsuits are civil matters, as opposed to criminal matters. In a civil case, the at-fault party can be required to pay money to the injured parties to compensate them for damages suffered as a result of the injury.
Civil matters are completely separate from criminal matters. Even if the party who caused the Hawaii boating accident death is acquitted of the criminal charges against him, he may still be liable to the parties he injured and the families of those killed.
How a Boat Accident Attorney Can Help
Boating accidents can be caused by operator error or negligence, improper maintenance, or manufacturing errors. People who are injured by negligent boaters may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income or ability to work
If a person is killed in a boating accident, his or her family members may be able to pursue claims for the wrongful death of a loved one. Wrongful death compensation may include:
- Medical expenses attributable to a fatal injury
- Pain and suffering from the loss of a loved one
- Funeral expenses
Boating accidents often present complicated issues, such as determining all potential responsible parties, and negotiating fair and reasonable compensation for injuries and other damages is likewise often difficult. People who have been injured in a boating accident are advised to seek the counsel of a boat accident attorney.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
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