What are the most common defenses used by boat operators in a boating accident case?

The most common defenses used by boat operators in a boating accident case in Pennsylvania are contributory negligence, comparative negligence, and assumption of risk. Contributory negligence is an argument that the defendant was not solely responsible for the injury or damage, because the plaintiff contributed to the incident in some way. Comparative negligence is similar, but acknowledges that both parties bear some responsibility for the incident. Finally, assumption of risk is a defense that states the plaintiff knowingly and voluntarily assumed the risk of injury or damage. Another defense that may be used is the distraction defense, which states that the incident occurred because the boat operator was distracted. In some cases, a boat operator may be able to argue that the circumstances surrounding the incident were outside of their control, such as if the boat was hit by a larger boat or another vessel’s wake caused the boat to crash. The boat operator may also be able to argue that they had no duty to the plaintiff, such as if the plaintiff was on board the boat without the operator’s knowledge or against their wishes. In some cases, the defendant may be able to argue that the plaintiff’s actions were negligent or that the plaintiff was aware of the risks but disregarded them. In general, the success of any defense will depend on the specific facts of the case and the skill of the attorney. It is important to work with an experienced attorney to determine the best defense strategy depending on the situation.

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What are the most common defenses used by boat operators in a boating accident case?

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