Do you enjoy hunting like many others who live here in Colorado? Whether you hunt to bond with family or enjoy time with friends, the goal remains the same: to have a good time, bag some game and get home safely. Most of the time, you make it home unscathed, but this time, you suffered serious injuries due to another hunter’s negligence.
Now, in addition to facing an extensive recovery, your medical bills rise daily and you can’t work. These and other monetary losses can put significant financial strain on you and your family. You may be able to recover those losses through the filing of a personal injury claim if you successfully establish that another hunter caused your injuries.
Did the other hunter violate hunting safety rules?
Establishing negligence in a hunting accident often involves showing that the hunter responsible failed to adhere to hunting safety rules, such as the following:
- Always assume a weapon is loaded
- Always point a weapon in a safe direction
- Always keep weapons unloaded when not being used
- Always handle weapons and their ammunition safely
- Don’t do drugs or get drunk when handling weapons
- Keep emotions under control
- Know your safe firing zone
- Know where your hunting companions are at all times
- Identify and recheck your target
- Know what lies beyond your target
Hunters should always look for additional dangers or conditions that could cause an accident. Remaining vigilant is crucial while hunting. In addition, no one should ever assume that all hunters wear orange or other colors to stand out against the terrain.
What commonalities to most hunting accidents share?
The most common causes include the following:
- Dropped weapon
- Failure to see victim
- Victim moved into line of sight
- Firearm loaded while walking
- Horseplay with loaded weapon
- Hunter thought victim was game
- Impairment
- Accidental discharge
As you can see, these common hunting accident causes all violate the above safety rules. Additionally, every hunter should properly maintain his or her weapons to prevent mishaps. Furthermore, not all hunting accidents involve negligence on the part of a hunter. In some cases, a weapon, ammunition or some other hunting equipment fails or is defective. In those cases, compensation for any injuries suffered could lie with manufacturers, sellers and distributors.
Do I need an attorney to help with my claim?
It would certainly help to have a legal advocate on your side. An attorney who understands hunting accidents could prove invaluable. They know how to investigate these cases, gather the appropriate evidence and assess the value of your damages. Advocating on your behalf with insurance companies, other lawyers and the courts provides you with the opportunity to focus on your recovery and work toward getting back to your life.