Georgia has some of the most renowned lakes and reservoirs in the southern United States. Whether you are fishing out on Lake Rabun, enjoying the weather out on Lake Lanier or swimming with your family in the Blue Ridge Lake, there is something for everyone on Georgia’s waters. However, there are also several dangers that people need to keep in mind before going out on the water. One of the most common dangers that people encounter is boating accidents.

Irresponsible and negligent operators may inflict injuries on innocent fishermen and other families enjoying time in their vessels. If you suffer injuries or property damage from a negligent operator in Northeast Georgia, speak with the Trial Team at Stewart, Melvin & Frost. We provide clients with responsive, aggressive, and highly-qualified legal services.

Types of Damages You Can Recover After a Georgia Boating Accident

Not only is the collision itself extremely dangerous, but a boating accident also has the added layer of being on the water. If someone is a less adapted swimmer or gets caught under debris, they may lose their life or suffer debilitating, long-term injuries. Boating accidents are often serious, and the damages you suffer may inflict harsh challenges for the rest of your life.

There are three categories of damages you may recover compensation for after a Georgia boating accident:

Economic Damages

Losses verifiable through monetary documentation or receipts are considered economic or special damages.

• Hospital and treatment costs
• Medication fees
• Physical therapy bills
• Lost income or wages
• Property damage or lost property
• Funeral costs
• Other financial losses due to the accident

After a boating accident, keeping track of bills, receipts, and documents that may showcase the financial losses you suffered in a boating accident is essential. This includes medical bills and employment records to determine whether you lost income due to the sustained injuries.

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages are those that do not have documentation of monetary value. These are the intangible damages. Since not every loss you suffer has receipts, there are some losses a lawyer will help calculate and include within the claim, including:

• Actual pain and suffering
• Interference with normal living
• Interference with enjoyment of life
• Impairment of bodily health and vigor
• Fear of extent of injury
• Shock of impact
• Mental anguish
• The extent to which the injured party must limit activities

No one should discredit the impact a boating accident can cause due to a lack of monetary documentation. In these cases, the interference with normal living often lasts longer than physical injuries.

Punitive Damages

While punitive damages are rare, if an accident results from highly negligent behavior, such as a BUI, you may receive punitive damages to punish the defendant for their actions. Punitive damages exemplify one person’s behavior to deter others from acting similarly.

Do not wait to contact a lawyer. The sooner you speak with Stewart, Melvin & Frost’s Trial Team, the more time they have to gather evidence and thoroughly investigate the claim.

Contact the Trial Team at Stewart, Melvin & Frost For Highly-Qualified Georgia Legal Representation

The Trial Team at Stewart, Melvin & Frost, led by Mark Alexander and Andrew Gould, has decades of combined experience protecting clients across Northeast Georgia. Their dedication to providing responsive and well-respected legal counsel makes it easy for clients to feel seen and heard.

“One of the reasons we are able to be so responsive is that we are very selective in the cases we get involved in,” Attorney Alexander said. “We only handle a limited number of cases so that when a client calls, we are able to get back in touch with them quickly.”

You deserve justice for the injuries and losses you suffer, and our trial team at Stewart, Melvin & Frost have the knowledge and compassion to provide you with the best possible outcome for your claim. Our highly-qualified and successful lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so you are not obligated to pay us until your case is resolved.

Call us at (678) 616-2108 or fill out our contact form, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.