King and Queen County boat accident attorneys

Were you harmed by somebody’s careless behavior on the water in King and Queen County?

We Virginians love to get out on the water, spending a lot of our free time fishing, boating, and enjoying water sports. In fact, more than 230,000 boats are registered in the Commonwealth.

In King and Queen County, residents have access to outstanding waterways, including the Mattaponi River, Morris Bay, Poropotank River, and the York River.

However, although boating is a great way to enjoy nature, accidents happen on the water. More than 100 boating accidents caused 18 deaths and 43 injuries in Virginia during a recent year, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

After all, boats are moving vehicles that require a steady hand to prevent collisions and other accidents. Boats must also be well-maintained, free of hazards, and have enough life jackets and other safety equipment to keep passengers safe.

Most boat accidents are caused by careless behavior. If you were hurt on a boat in King and Queen County, our team at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys will investigate the incident to find out whose negligent behavior caused your injuries. Then we’ll file a claim to help you recover your medical costs and other expenses.

Call (804) 413-6777 to schedule a FREE consultation with us today. You’ll find out all of your best options, and we’ll tell you honestly if it makes sense for you to work with an attorney to recover your costs or not. If we take your case, we’ll offer you our Zero Fee Guarantee, meaning that we only get paid when you get paid.

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How boat accidents happen

The leading cause of boat accidents is careless operator behavior. To prevent accidents, the boat’s owner must make sure the vessel is driven by a licensed operator. The owner should also choose an operator who’s serious, sober, and knows how to make wise decisions.

Other causes for boat accidents are poor boat maintenance and improper planning. Boats require regular maintenance and inspections to remain in safe, just like cars and trucks. Slippery decks, loose stair railings, and other hazards can lead to harmful slip and fall accidents onboard.

Frequent causes of boat accidents include:

• Skipper error
• Failure to monitor the weather
• Falls
• Fires
• Explosions
• Distracted operators
• Poor navigation
• Sinking
• Grounding
• Too many passengers
• Mechanical failure
• Propeller accidents
• Crashes involving more than one boat
• Crashes with docks or other stationary objects

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Preventing boat accidents

It’s ultimately a boat owner’s responsibility to make timely repairs to keep a boat safe, but the skipper should also inspect the vessel to make sure it’s working properly and has all the recommended safety equipment, including:

• Life jackets for all passengers
• Working navigation lights
• Throwable flotation devices
• First aid kit
• A bailing device
• An anchor to maintain position if the boat becomes disabled
• Visual and auditory distress signals
• A VHF radio
• Fire extinguisher

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Sober skippers

Boating is a recreational activity, so boat passengers want to have a good time. But the skipper has to remain alert and in control at all times. Alcohol, recreational drugs, or prescription drugs that impair an operator’s vision, judgment, reflexes, and other vital skills greatly increase the likelihood of a harmful accident.

Virginia has strict penalties for boating under the influence, including fines, jail time, and suspension of the skipper’s license. A skipper who uses alcohol or controlled substances is likely to be subject to serious liability when an accident happens.

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Why you need a King and Queen County boat accident attorney

Many factors may contribute to a boat accident. An experienced King and Queen County boat accident attorney knows how to review accident reports, examine photographic and video evidence, and interview witnesses to find out what really happened.

After completing an investigation, your attorney will file claims against anyone whose negligence contributed to your injuries. This may include the boat’s owner, the skipper, a boat rental company, the operator of another boat that collided with yours, or even a fellow passenger.

Insurance companies are notoriously stingy about giving accident victims enough money to cover the true cost of their injuries and other expenses. But we’ve worked for the big insurance companies, so we know their tricks. And our team at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys won’t back down when it comes to getting you the money you need to put your life back together.

Injuries from boating accidents can be severe, often requiring extensive treatment. For example, accident victims who suffer partial paralysis may have expenses such as home health care and home alterations to be able to stay mobile.

Your experienced King and Queen County personal injury lawyer knows how to seek the proper compensation for the following types of boat accidents injuries and other consequences:

• Severe burns
• Internal organ damage
• Bone fractures
• Amputation
• Electrocution
• Burn injuries
• Disfigurement
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Wrongful death

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We work wisely for our clients

You shouldn’t have to pay your own medical bills and other expenses when your injuries were caused by someone else’s careless behavior. At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we know what you’re going through because we’ve been there ourselves. We will put our full experience and skill to work for you.

Give us a call at (804) 413-6777 today to learn more about how we can help you.

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