King William County boat accident attorneys

Outstanding legal help after a boating accident

We enjoy recreational boating, but it can become hazardous fast when captains don’t follow the rules. In Virginia, 110 boating incidents caused 21 fatalities and 51 injuries in a recent year.

At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, our partners are avid boaters. And we consider it a calling to help our neighbors who were injured by the careless actions of other boaters. If you or a loved one was harmed in a boating accident, we’ll work wisely to get you the money you deserve to help you get well and get on with your life.

Call (804) 413-6777 to schedule a FREE consultation with us today. We’ll let you know all of your options, and if we take your case, we offer a Zero Fee Guarantee.

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What causes most boating accidents?

In Virginia, you must be at least 14 years old and complete a boating safety course to operate any motorboat with an engine that’s 10hp or greater, or a personal watercraft (PWC), such as a wet bike or jet ski.

Most boating accidents are preventable. They often result from the careless actions of the boat’s captain. It’s essential for you to remain sober, stay at the helm, and pay attention at all times.

Negligent activities that lead to boating accidents include:

• Boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Ignoring navigation laws
• Failing to check weather forecasts
• Driver distraction
• Excessive speed
• Improper lookout
• Sharp turns and other dangerous maneuvers

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Is boating under the influence a crime?

Boating and water sports are enjoyable activities, but partying while operating a boat often leads to tragic accidents. Operating a boat while intoxicated is a serious offense that’s prosecuted by law enforcement just like a DUI.

In Virginia, boating under the influence is punishable by fines, jail time, and the revocation of an operating license. Similar to auto drivers, a boat operator is much more likely to cause an accident after consuming drugs or alcohol because their vision, coordination, judgment, and reaction time may be impaired.

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What are common injuries caused by boat accidents?

Many types of boating accidents lead to serious injuries, including capsizing, falling overboard, colliding with a fixed object such as a dock, colliding with another boat, falling down while onboard, propellor strikes, or mechanical failure.

Injuries that happen on a boat can be severe or even fatal. This may include:

• Loss of limb
• Paralysis
• Bone fractures
• Burns
• Internal organ damage
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Electric shock
• Smoke inhalation
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Wrongful death

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How can an attorney help after a boating accident?

If you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident, your King William County injury attorney will investigate the incident to find out who’s responsible. This may include the boat’s captain, the owner, a rental company, the skipper of another boat, or the manufacturer of faulty equipment.

Boat owners must make sure that only sober, qualified people are allowed to operate their boat. Owners are also responsible for ensuring that their boat is in safe operating condition before anyone takes it out on the water. That means the boat should be equipped with the following:

• Navigation and anchor lights
• VHF radio (not required but a good idea along with a cell phone)
• First aid kit
• Safety equipment including ignition safety switch, audible signaling device, and visual distress signals
• Life jackets for all crew and passengers
• Fire extinguisher
• Throwable flotation device

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Were you harmed in a boating accident?

At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we know what it’s like to suffer from injuries caused by someone else’s careless behavior because we’ve been there ourselves.

Our partners, Ken Gibson and John Singleton, are active boaters. As former U.S. Marines, we bring outstanding legal representation to every client, and we will not rest until we have achieved justice for you.

We always work on a contingency basis – meaning we get paid when you get paid. It’s our Zero Fee Guarantee. Call (804) 413-6777 today to set up a free meeting with us.

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