Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers
When passengers attend on-shore excursions supervised by a cruise ship company, they expect that they will be safe from harm. Unfortunately, car accidents can occur while passengers are being transported to and from excursions by the cruise ship company. Cruise ship excursion motor vehicle accident lawyers such as Louis A. Vucci P.A. understand that serious injuries can occur as a result of these car accidents. Those who have been injured in a car accident while being transported by a cruise ship employee should not have to face the recovery process alone, and a lawyer can help.
Louis A. Vucci P.A. have extensive experience protecting the rights of cruise ship passengers and the responsible cruise line accountable if a passenger is severely injured while under their care. Our legal team is dedicated to helping those who have been injured in car accidents while on a cruise navigate the legal process and pursue compensation. Cruise ship companies must ensure the safety of their passengers by following strict safety standards. Call us if a cruise ship company is responsible for causing your injury. An attorney can be instrumental in helping you receive the compensation you deserve to pay your medical bills and help you move on with your life. Don’t wait until it is too late to file your claim and receive the compensation you are owed. Contact us by phone at (786) 375-0344, by filling out a contact form on our site, or by chatting with us live today.
Do I need a lawyer?
Cruise ship accidents are often handled differently than the average injury claim. Cruise ship lawsuits need to consider the specific maritime laws, regulations, and contractual agreements put in place by the cruise lines. If you have been hurt while on a cruise ship, on a tender, or while in a motor vehicle while on a cruise, you need the experience and counsel of a qualified cruise ship accident lawyer to help examine your claim and advise you of your options.
Why Choose Us?
Louis A. Vucci P.A. has spent over a decade fighting for the rights of injured cruise ship passengers, and we have secured compensation for those who have been hurt through no fault of their own. Our focus and experience with this very specific area of law give us an advantage over others: we understand these particular cases, and we know how the system works. We know what it takes to build a strong case on your behalf and get the compensation the cruise line owes you for your injuries. Contact us at (786) 375-0344 to schedule a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case today.
Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents involving passengers and cruise ship company drivers can occur for a number of different reasons. Some of the common causes of motor vehicle accidents include:
- Negligent driving – If a driver fails to operate a vehicle in the correct manner, drives while distracted, or fails to obey the rules of the road, a serious injury accident is likely to occur. We have successfully handled cases involving negligent driving and can help you with your claim.
- Driving while intoxicated – We count on drivers who are employed or contracted by the cruise line to be sober when behind the wheel. If they fail to do so and an accident occurs, the driver and the cruise line may also be responsible for your injuries.
- Aggressive or reckless driving – Drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles in a safe and secure manner at all times, especially when transporting passengers. If they choose to drive aggressively or recklessly and a crash occurs, the passengers may have grounds to file a personal injury suit against the cruise line.
Compensation may be available for your injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident while in the care of a cruise ship company, compensation may be available to help pay for your medical bills, as well as additional expenses and your pain, suffering, and mental anguish. You do not need to suffer unnecessarily due to an injury that was not your fault. Contact Louis A. Vucci P.A. at (786) 375-0344 to discuss the details of your case today.
One of the most popular cruise activities is the shore excursion, which lets passengers explore different countries and cultures around the world in a unique way. But what do you do if you get in a motor vehicle accident while on one of these excursions, perhaps in a foreign country?
Cruise lines must provide a safe experience for their guests. If you suffered injuries due to negligence or other misconduct, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. A cruise injury lawyer is the best way to protect your rights and recover compensation for any losses.
At Louis A. Vucci P.A., we understand the difficulties of being injured on a cruise ship excursion. Our experienced team of cruise injury lawyers helps accident victims protect their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve. We have years of experience dealing with all types of cruise line accidents and want to hold those responsible for your injuries accountable for the harm they caused you.
Contact Louis A. Vucci P.A. today by calling (786) 375-0344 for a free legal consultation with a dedicated cruise excursion motor vehicle accident lawyer.
About Motor Vehicle Accidents on Cruise Ship Excursions
Cruise ship excursions let travelers explore the world’s most beautiful places and have unforgettable experiences. However, sometimes things go wrong on shore, and tourists may suffer injuries in car accidents, bus accidents, and other motor vehicle collisions. When a passenger suffers an injury while participating in a sponsored excursion or tour, the cruise line or the sightseeing company it contracts with may be liable for their injuries.
Cruise lines collect hundreds of millions of dollars each year promoting and selling shore excursions in foreign ports of call. Cruise lines must vet the companies they contract with for shore excursions and warn passengers of potential dangers in foreign ports of call. They may also be responsible for negligent hiring and retention of transportation companies. In many cases, cruise lines claim the local agents they hire are “independent contractors” who are not subject to jurisdiction in the U.S., making it difficult for victims to receive compensation.
In the event of an injury on a sponsored excursion or tour, an experienced cruise excursion injury lawyer helps victims hold these parties responsible for their negligence. An experienced cruise excursion injury attorney knows how to establish liability for your injuries and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses associated with the accident.
Recent Accidents on Cruise Ship Excursions
A number of cruise ship excursions have ended in serious accidents over the last decade, causing passengers to suffer severe, even fatal injuries.
For example, on February 18, 2019, 12 passengers booked on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas needed rescue after their excursion van overturned into the ocean in St. Marteen in Puerto Rico. One person suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while the others returned to the ship.
In January 2016, another bus accident, this one in Jamaica, resulted in the death of one Royal Caribbean passenger and the injury of three others. A year later, an excursion bus collided with a car in New Zealand, leaving a half-dozen cruise passengers from the Celebrity Solstice seriously injured. And that December, 12 Royal Caribbean passengers were killed and several more were injured when the bus they were riding in crashed on a highway in the southeastern Yucatan Peninsula.
Taken together, these accidents illustrate how common ship-excursion traffic accidents are, and the terrible toll they can take on the lives of their victims.
Who Is Liable for an Offshore Excursion Injury?
Liability might prove complicated when a passenger is injured while on a shore excursion. Cruise lines often claim they are not responsible for the harm caused during shore excursions, as the excursion companies are often separate entities contracted by the cruise line. However, if the cruise line promoted, advertised, organized, or sanctioned the excursion, it may be liable for any accidents injuring passengers.
Also, passengers can file a claim against any third-party contractors involved in the excursion if they acted negligently or recklessly. It’s important to remember that different countries have different laws governing liability in the event of an offshore excursion injury. Therefore, it’s best to consult with an experienced cruise injury lawyer if you suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident on a cruise ship excursion.
What Compensation is Available for Cruise Ship Excursion Victims?
In some cases, motor vehicle accident victims on a cruise ship excursion may receive compensation from the cruise line itself. However, depending on the circumstances of the accident, liability could also fall on a separate operator in a foreign country. US law may or may not apply in these situations, and a personal injury attorney can explore all avenues of recovering compensation.
In cases where the cruise line is liable, victims may obtain compensation through the company’s insurance policy or a personal injury lawsuit. In addition, if another entity is found liable, a victim can file a personal injury lawsuit against them as well. Doing so could compensate the victim for all of their injury-related expenses, such as medical bills and lost income, as well as compensation for pain and suffering and lost wages.
Victims can determine their best course of action for recovering financial compensation for their losses by working with a personal injury lawyer experienced in handling cruise ship-related claims. A skilled attorney helps cruise injury victims explore all their legal options and fight for the compensation they deserve.
What to Do After a Cruise Ship Excursion Accident
No one expects to get injured during a cruise ship excursion, but accidents happen. If you or a loved one suffered injuries during a cruise ship excursion accident, it is crucial that you understand what to do next. Taking the proper steps after an accident protects your well-being, rights, and ability to recover compensation. With that in mind, you should:
- Seek medical attention immediately – Even if you don’t think you sustained injuries, see a doctor to get checked out.
- File an incident report with the cruise line – An official incident report documents your injury and provides proof of when and where the accident occurred.
- Contact a qualified cruise injury lawyer as soon as possible – An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for your injury.
- Collect evidence – Take photos of the accident scene and save any medical records, reports, or bills related to your injury.
- Gather documentation – Keep track of all documents related to your injury, including the incident report and any correspondence with the cruise line or their insurance company.
How a Cruise Ship Excursion Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car or bus accident while on a cruise ship excursion, the most important thing you can do is seek help from a qualified lawyer with experience handling these cases. A cruise ship accident lawyer helps victims navigate the complex legal system, provides advice, and represents their clients throughout the claims process.
Here are some ways in which a lawyer can help you seek justice and accountability:
- Advise you of your legal rights – A knowledgeable lawyer advises clients on the laws applying to their particular situation and potential avenues to explore so they know their rights and can make informed decisions about how to proceed.
- Investigating the accident – A cruise injury lawyer investigates the accident’s circumstances and identifies any parties who may be liable for your injuries. This involves obtaining statements from witnesses and conducting an independent investigation.
- Assessing losses – A lawyer accurately assesses the losses you suffered and will continue to suffer as a result of the accident and calculates the amount of compensation owed. They review your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering, so they know how to pursue fair and adequate compensation.
- Negotiating with liable parties and insurers – The cruise line or their insurer may attempt to limit their liability or offer a lower settlement than is fair. A lawyer negotiates with the insurance company on your behalf toward a fair settlement.
- Representing you in court – If necessary, your lawyer represents you in court if the liable parties refuse to negotiate and you need to file a lawsuit against them. They handle all aspects of litigation, including filing the paperwork, gathering evidence, conducting depositions, questioning witnesses, and arguing your case in court.
- Guide you through the process: In addition to handling the legal aspects of your case, an experienced lawyer can provide support, access to high-quality medical providers, and answers to any questions you may have throughout the process.
Speak With a Cruise Excursion Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
If you or a family member suffered injuries in an accident on a cruise ship excursion, contact an experienced cruise injury lawyer as soon as possible. At Louis A. Vucci P.A., our attorneys have extensive experience handling cases arising from motor vehicle accidents on cruise ship excursions. We understand the complexities of these cases and want to hold negligent parties accountable for the injuries they caused. Call us today at (786) 375-0344 for a free consultation and discuss your case with an experienced cruise excursion motor vehicle accident lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a cruise ship passenger, you have a right to expect that the cruise line has your safety in mind at all times, whether you are aboard the ship, on a tender, on an excursion on shore, or on a cruise-affiliated motor vehicle. If you are hurt in an accident, you likely do not know where to turn for help. A serious injury often comes with mounting medical bills and other expenses that you likely cannot pay on your own, and you shouldn’t have to. Contact us today to ask any questions you may have about your legal options at (786) 375-0344. In addition, we have provided the answers to a few frequently asked questions below:
What is maritime law?
Cruise ships and “common carriers,” as they are often referred to, are beholden to admiralty law, otherwise known as maritime law. While accidents on land are handled by tort law, accidents at sea are often governed by admiralty law. This law states that cruise lines must exercise “reasonable care” regarding the safety of all passengers. If they are hurt on a cruise, they may be held liable for all injuries that result from negligence or intentionally harmful actions, regardless of the intent or fault.
By purchasing a ticket, did I sign a contract with the cruise line?
The back of your cruise ticket includes legal clauses you should be aware of. They often include clauses regarding the time limit for filing claims (notice requirement clause), where the suit can be filed (forum-selection clauses), and have limited-liability waivers that often release the cruise operator from being sued for things like “emotional distress”. It is important to carefully read your ticket because some of the clauses may alter the timelines in which you must file an injury claim. Maritime law typically grants injured parties a three-year window in which to file a lawsuit if they’ve been hurt, but the notice requirement clauses put in place by some operators may shorten the time frame in which you have to file a claim for your injuries. For some, the window may be only 12 months for a physical injury and sometimes only days after the incident for non-physical harm.
How much will it cost me to hire an attorney?
When you work with Louis A. Vucci P.A., your representation will not cost you anything upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we will not collect anything unless we recover the compensation you deserve. Your initial consultation with us is completely confidential and is free of charge, and when we take your case, we will not collect a dime unless you get paid. That’s our commitment to you, our client. We will handle all of the hard work and will fight to get you the fair compensation that the cruise line rightfully owes you, and if you don’t win, we don’t get a thing.
Contact Us
Cruise ship employees must be extremely careful while driving passengers around on excursions to ensure their safety. Those who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents during cruise ship excursions have the right to pursue compensation from the liable company. Louis A. Vucci P.A. is proud to stand up for those who have been injured. Call (786) 375-0344 today to speak with a motor vehicle accident lawyer prepared to fight for your legal rights.
