Allision damages arise from incidents where a moving vessel strikes a stationary object, such as a dock, wharf, or buoy. These incidents can occur in diverse settings, including open water, inland waterways, or ports.
The damages from allisions encompass a wide array of losses and can be categorized into direct and indirect damages.
Categories of Allision Damages
Allision damages fall into two primary categories:
- Direct Damages: These pertain to the damage sustained by the vessels and their cargo involved in the collision.
- Indirect Damages: These include economic losses, such as lost profits and increased costs.
Determining Liability for Allision Damages
Liability for allision damages hinges on the negligence of the parties involved. To establish negligence, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant had a duty of care toward them, that the defendant breached this duty, and that the plaintiff’s injuries resulted from the defendant’s breach.
In the context of allision collisions, the duty of care entails operating the vessel in a safe and prudent manner. This encompasses considerations like weather conditions, traffic conditions, and the vessel’s characteristics. If a vessel operator fails to navigate the vessel safely and prudently, leading to an allision collision, they may be held responsible for the ensuing damages.
Recovering Allision Damages
To recover damages resulting from an allision collision, the injured party must establish the fault of the other vessel and show that the damages were a direct consequence of the collision. Gathering evidence to support the claim is crucial and may involve witness statements, photographs, videos of the damage, expert testimony, and maritime records.
If you have suffered injuries or property damage due to an allision collision, you may have the opportunity to seek compensation from the responsible party. This process typically involves filing a lawsuit against the party at fault.
Navigating the complexities of allision damages necessitates a thorough understanding of maritime law and a commitment to safeguarding your rights and interests in the event of a collision.