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EXPERIENCED BOAT ACCIDENT LAWYERS HELPING VICTIMS IN YOUR AREA

If you’ve been involved in a severe boat accident that was no fault of your own, it’s crucial that you know your legal rights. We know lawsuits can be overwhelming and stressful, which is why you need the support of experienced boat injury litigators to help you get financial compensation for recovery.

Experience counts when you hire a boat accident attorney to handle your injury case. 

Our lawyers understand what it is like to be involved in a boat accident and have provided expert legal representation nationwide for decades. Permanent injuries are common in boating accidents and can have life-altering consequences. 

Boat accident settlements often settle for larger dollar amounts because of the insurance requirements for commercial boat carriers.

Boating companies have teams of attorneys protecting their interests and will attempt to get accident victims to either drop their cases or settle for much less. The reality is that many boat accident cases require a personal injury lawsuit to obtain sufficient compensation for your injuries.

Most boating accidents happen in bays, creeks, gulfs, harbors, inlets, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers and streams.

Common Types of Boat Accidents

• Boat Accidental Drowning
• Boating Fatalities
• Boating Intoxicated
• Capsized Boat
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 
• Collisions with Fixed Objects
• Collisions with Other Vessels
• Drowning
• Equipment Failure
• Excessive Speed
• Falling Overboard
• Flooding and Swamping
• Grounding
• Hazardous Waters
• Improper Lookout
• Intoxication
• Lack of Experience 
• Operator Inattention
• Propeller Accidents 
• Run-Over Accidents 
• Slip-And-Fall Accidents 
• Sunken Boat
• Violating Navigation Rules
• Water Skier Mishap
• Weather

Common Boat Accident Injuries

• Amputation
• Back Injuries 
• Brain Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Burns
• Coma
• Fatality
• Head Injuries
• Hip Injuries
• Internal Injuries
• Knee Injuries
• Leg Injuries
• Neck Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Trauma & PTSD
• Whiplash

Boat Accident Statistics

• 8,000 boating accidents are reported by the U. S. Coast Guard each year.
• There are about 2,400 maritime ocean accidents each year.
• The most common type of boat accident are capsizing and collision with another boat.
• National Safe Boating Council reports there are more than 700 boating deaths each year in the U. S.
• Among boating accidents with fatalities, alcohol was the leading contributing factor in 16% of all boat fatalities.

Injury victims should contact an experienced boat injury attorney immediately after an accident. An experienced lawyer understands the rules and regulations in the boating industry and can uncover any potential boat driver or boating company violations.

Accident attorneys are experienced in dealing with difficult insurance companies and know how they try and get out of paying for a victim's injury claims.

When filing a lawsuit, the victim may not know who is responsible for causing the accident. In most cases, the trial will name every potential defendant who may have had a role in creating the boat accident.

The Defendants Can Include:

• Boat Driver
• Boating Company
• Boat Lessee
• Boat Manufacturer
• Boat Owner
• Insurance Company
• Ship Parts Manufacturer
• Other Boat Drivers
• City or County Government

Boating Rules

Federal regulations provide specific rules with regards to the operation of large commercial boats and boats maintenance, as well as other provisions related to driver operating time. These regulations are extensive and cover a wide range of codes of conduct.

Important Regulations Include:

Operating Rules – Boat drivers are not to operate a boat while the driver’s ability or alertness is impaired through fatigue, illness, or any other cause, including alcohol and drugs.

Equipment Rules – Boat parts and accessories must always be in good working order, and all components must go through inspection before the boat can be used.

Cargo Rules – Boat drivers must thoroughly inspect cargo and make any adjustments as necessary to ensure that the shipment is secured.

Boating Company Fault

Boat drivers can be under much pressure to make delivery deadlines, which can contribute to negligent driving. Boating companies sometimes intentionally or recklessly violate transportation regulations and safety requirements to increase their profit margins. Even if a boat driver is responsible for causing the accident, the trucking company may still be liable for the negligence of their employee. 

Information collected at the scene of an injury accident can be crucial to you getting financial compensation. You should always request the contact information of all parties involved in your accident should your lawyer need to contact them.

Get Evidence to Support Your Case

• Name of Boat Driver
• Name of Witnesses
• Address of Boat Company
• Boating License Number
• Insurance Information of Driver
• Phone Number of Boat Driver 
• Phone Number of Boating Company
• Take Photos 

Getting the correct information and evidence about your boat accident will ensure you’re able to pursue legal action and get financial compensation.

Boat Accident Lawsuits

Compensatory damages are available to boat injury victims. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate a plaintiff for losses in an injury accident. Compensatory damages in a boating accident lawsuit can include both “economic” costs and “non-economic” damages.

Types of Compensatory Damages Are:

• Court Costs
• Disfigurement 
• ER Treatment
• Future Medical Treatment 
• Hospital Stays
• Loss of Consortium for Spouse
• Loss of Enjoyment in Life
• Lost Earning Capacity
• Lost Wages
• Medical Bills
• Medical Supplies
• Nursing Home Care
• Pain and Suffering
• Physical Disability
• Physical Therapy
• Prescription Drugs
• Property Damages
• Vessel Repairs 

Because each boat accident lawsuit case is unique, it could take several months or even years to settle a claim or complete a trial. A boating accident lawsuit involves the following steps:

Claim Assessment - When filing a claim, an assessment is made to ensure you have a valid case, consisting of accident detail examination, evidence, damages suffered, medical expenses, cost of future care, and the negligence of the other party. This assessment is done during your free consultation.

Investigation - If you have a qualified case, a thorough examination of the accident will begin immediately to preserve evidence. Negligent parties will be notified, and a demand will be issued for the preservation of all evidence, including photographs, vehicles involved, road structures, boat company certifications, and other data.

File and Complaint - Once your evidence is preserved, a lawsuit will be filed against all parties who are deemed negligent in the accident.

Case Discovery - The case information is requested from the other parties, conduct depositions, interview witnesses, and obtain expert analyses, accident reconstruction, and medical evidence to build a solid case.

Begin Mediation - Victims and defendants will attend mediation to determine if a fair settlement is possible. During a negotiation, a negotiator will attempt to make a settlement to compensate for pain, suffering, and other damages. The majority of accident lawsuits will settle before going to trial.

Go to Trial - If no settlement is reached in mediation, the lawsuit will proceed to trial. A jury or judge will hear the case.  Attorney's will present evidence and participate in closing arguments. The judge or jury will then determine fault and decide on the amount of compensation to award for your losses.

Whether a minor crash or a severe crash, boat accidents can take a long time to reach financial settlements. Most states allow plenty of time between an accident and the deadline for filing a lawsuit. Injured victims should contact a boat accident lawyer for advice on when to file. 

Understanding Your Statutes of Limitations

Every state is different regarding Boat accidents and lawsuits. In most cases, victims have 1-2 years to seek legal action against the responsible parties for your injury. If you're concerned about your Statute of limitations timeline, a free case evaluation will help you understand your options.

The time you have to pursue a claim is limited. 

If you or a loved one has received an injury in a boat accident due to the negligence of another party, we can help.

We have experienced lawyers that will hold boat manufacturers responsible for mechanical malfunctions and boating injuries.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review. We can provide you with a free case evaluation where we examine the details of your case and determine which legal strategies can best protect your future.

If you think you have a case, now is the time to reach out to a legal representative.
 

• No Fees Charged Until Your Case is Won
• Available 24/7 for Your Case Support
• Our Team Will Travel to You

We Help Get You Fair and Just Compensation for Your Boating Accident Injuries!