Posted on October 21,2024 in Personal Injury

The seas surrounding the U.S. Virgin Islands offer entrancing coral reefs, canyons, and many species of aquatic animals, making scuba diving a popular year-round activity. The islands boast multiple equipment rental and diving companies, dive instructors, and charter dive vessels catering to both residents and tourists. Although diving can be exhilarating, it is also dangerous.

What are common scuba diving injuries? Can I file a personal injury or defective product claim, and who pays me? Your knowledgeable attorneys from Colianni & Leonard LLC will evaluate your situation and help you determine the best way to proceed.

What Are Common Virgin Islands Scuba Diving Accidents and Injuries?

Understanding the risks associated with scuba diving may help you avoid injury, which may include:

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 Posted on September 19,2024 in Personal Injury

U.S. Virgin Islands residents and tourists alike can enjoy amazing views of the water, beaches, and landscape from hundreds of feet in the air while parasailing. The Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard regulate the vessels that tow parasailers, requiring numerous safety precautions. Unfortunately, parasailing accidents do occur, and they are capable of producing catastrophic and fatal injuries.

Can you get compensation for injuries sustained in a parasailing accident? Who is responsible for paying your personal injury settlement? Whether you live in the Islands or elsewhere, you need a trustworthy local attorney to protect your best interests. Colianni & Leonard LLC has the experience and determination to ensure that you receive the highest possible settlement. Call now for your free consultation.

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 Posted on August 16,2024 in Personal Injury

St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John are popular tourist destinations. Late last year, an accident at the Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas severely injured one man and caused his wife emotional trauma along with physical injuries. The couple filed a personal injury claim against Spirit Airlines and Worldwide Flight Services, seeking compensation for their injuries and other losses.

This case is a prime example of how negligence can cause both physical injuries and other types of harm. If you are injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the experienced lawyers from Colianni & Leonard LLC will work to hold them accountable.

Overloaded Elevator Causes Serious Injury as Couple Boards Virgin Islands Airplane

The couple involved in the accident needed wheelchair services to board a plane. The lift they used was clearly marked as having a 1,000-pound maximum capacity. Four people in wheelchairs and two attendants, who had a combined weight of more than the stated capacity, boarded the lift that was raised to allow them to enter the plane.

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 Posted on July 22,2024 in Car Accidents

Experiencing a car accident while in the U.S. Virgin Islands can put a damper on your vacation, and some car accidents may leave you seriously injured and in need of compensation for the damages you have suffered. Car accident claims in the Virgin Islands can be even more complex than car accidents that happen at home due to a few different factors.

A knowledgeable U.S. Virgin Islands car accident attorney can help you navigate your legal options as you deal with the aftermath of a car accident around the Virgin Islands.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Driving in the U.S. Virgin Islands is difficult, especially for tourists and other individuals who may not be familiar with the roads, traffic laws, and how vehicles normally operate around the Virgin Islands.

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 Posted on June 20,2024 in Personal Injury

Tourist accidents in the U.S. Virgin Islands occur when non-residents visit any of the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas, or St. John and experience an incident that leads to injury. In some cases, tourist accidents are caused by the negligence of property owners and drivers on the islands, while in others, the accidents are unavoidable.

If you have experienced a tourist accident in the U.S. Virgin Islands that resulted from the negligence or recklessness of a third party, you may be able to pursue a claim. An experienced U.S. Virgin Islands tourist accident lawyer can answer your questions about this process.

Common U.S. Virgin Islands Tourist Accidents

There are a wide variety of tourist accidents in the U.S. Virgin Islands, though some are more common than others. The most common U.S. Virgin Islands tourist accidents include:

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 Posted on May 17,2024 in Personal Injury

Boating accidents are accidents that involve the collision of a boat into an object or another boat or the negligent or reckless operation of a boat that results in injuries to passengers. Tourists on the U.S. Virgin Islands are often involved in boating accidents, as are locals who may operate boats regularly around the islands for work or pleasure.

You may be entitled to compensation if you have been injured in a boating accident. Even if you are no longer present in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you may be able to pursue a case to recover damages. A knowledgeable U.S. Virgin Islands boating accident lawyer can help you understand your options.

Common Boating Accident Injuries

Boating accident injuries may occur for many reasons, including negligence of the ship’s captain, equipment malfunctions or breakdowns, improper training of the boat’s captain or crew, or operation of a vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

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 Posted on April 16,2024 in Personal Injury

With numerous tourists and residents living their lives around the U.S. Virgin Islands, slip and fall accidents are sure to occur at some point. Some slip and fall incidents may be more common than others, though that does not mitigate the seriousness of the injuries that someone can sustain after this type of accident. Suppose you have been injured in a slip and fall incident around the U.S. Virgin Islands. In that case, a skilled premises liability lawyer can help you explore your legal options and possibilities for compensation.

How Do Slip and Fall Accidents Commonly Occur?

Slip and fall accidents occur in a number of different ways, and these accidents can happen virtually anywhere. However, some situations are more common for slip and fall accidents, such as the following:

• Wet surfaces without signage, including those on properties around beaches, near swimming pools, and at restaurants

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 Posted on March 19,2024 in Personal Injury

St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John make for popular tourist destinations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and many Airbnb rentals or other vacation rentals own properties on these islands and rent them to visitors. However, injuries and accidents do occur from time to time in an Airbnb, and it is important to be aware of common Airbnb injuries, as well as your options if negligence or recklessness on behalf of the Airbnb rental owner contributed to or caused your injuries.

A skilled U.S. Virgin Islands Airbnb injury attorney can help you navigate your legal options, even if you are no longer within the U.S. Virgin Islands.

What Are the Most Common Airbnb Injuries?

Airbnb rentals are becoming increasingly common, especially in bustling tourist areas around the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is important to understand the potential for injuries in your Airbnb rental, so you know what to look out for if you or a loved one do get hurt and need help during your vacation.

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 Posted on May 14,2020 in Defective Products

Part of the thrill of a vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands is the excitement you feel when out on a boat with your friends and family. However, if you or a loved one are injured on a boat trip, legal proceedings can get complicated. If you believe that such an injury was caused by a defective boat part, you may have to untangle some complicated legal proceedings in order to find fault with the manufacturer or the company you rented the boat from. Do not risk taking your case to court alone. Get the help you need from a trusted personal injury attorney.

Injuries Due to Defective Boat Parts

The types of accidents that can happen due to defective boat parts can vary depending on the situation. Faulty equipment might lead to flooding, capsizing, loss of control, or a crash due to navigation or electrical issues. Assuming that you are renting a boat while on vacation, you and your attorney would have to decide whether to pursue legal action against the boat's owner, the manufacturer, or a combination of both. Lawsuits due to defective parts can get complicated, because it is the owner's responsibility to ensure that the boat is in good working order before letting you take it into the water. If you can prove that the necessary precautions were taken, but there was still a malfunction, the manufacturer may be held liable under U.S. law. 

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 Posted on April 30,2020 in Car Accidents

If you are renting a vehicle while you are on vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands, do not forget that you will have to adjust to driving on the left side of the road. You will most likely have many activities planned, and you may be excited to start exploring the area, but there are a few things that you should keep in mind to ensure your and your passengers’ safety. The traffic laws on the islands may be different from your home state. In some cases, car accidents with minor to serious injuries occur even with careful driving. A skilled personal injury lawyer in the U.S. Virgin Islands can help you navigate the post-accident process smoothly.

Adjusting to the Left Side of the Road

One very important element to note about driving in the U.S. Virgin Islands is that it is not like driving in the United Kingdom. For example, your rental car will most likely be a U.S. import, and the driver’s seat will still be on the left side of the vehicle like you are used to. Since the interior of a rental vehicle will feel no different, you must focus on changing your perspective at intersections. Always remember to look right first when making a turn, since that is where the oncoming traffic will come from. Before driving each day, take a moment to visualize that when you are making a right turn, you must aim for the far left side of the road. If you are on a road with more than two lanes, always driving on the leftmost side can help you grow accustomed to this more quickly. Lastly, know that many other drivers will be getting used to this new perspective, so remember to slow down, drive defensively, and be cautious and aware of your surroundings at all times. 

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