Middlesex county boating accident injury attorneys

Boating in Middlesex County

Boating is fun! But it carries a risk. In 2020 alone, 3,191 people were injured, and 767 died in the United States from boating accidents. This was a significant increase from the previous year, likely due to the overall growth of recreational boating and water sports over the past few years.

Middlesex County has a rich tradition of boating that is only growing, as more residents are working from home and spending more time with their families.

Sadly though: with more boats comes more accidents. The most frequent cause of a crash is operator negligence. Boat operators are expected to exercise reasonable care to keep themselves and others safe.

If you have been injured in a Middlesex County boat accident because of the negligence of another, you may be entitled to compensation. GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys serves our neighbors by helping those who have suffered from a boating accident and need help with healing and recovering their losses.

The road to recovery is understandably rough, but we’re here to make the journey easier. Talk to us today if you or a loved one has been in a boating accident. Contact GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys online or call us at (804) 413-6777 to schedule a FREE consultation and learn more about your best options.

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Common types of boating accidents

Middlesex County has more than 20 marinas, and they are all filled each summer with happy faces who appreciate a day on the water. Unfortunately, the day does not always go as planned, and sometimes, people get injured. The safety of everyone on and around the boat is ultimately the responsibility of the owner and operator.

Boating collisions commonly occur when several boats are in a small area. This can happen if one or more vessels are speeding, or an operator loses control.

Marina and dock accidents can happen even as you are docking your boat. Negligent behaviors by the marina or its workers can cause injuries.

Fires are surprisingly common on boats, whether from cooking or equipment malfunction.

In order to keep all passengers and crew members as safe as possible while out on the water, boat owners need to keep their vessels’ equipment properly stocked and up-to-date. This means getting:

• Properly maintained navigation and anchor lights
• A VHF radio (not required, but could be helpful)
• A first aid kit
• Safety equipment like an ignition safety switch and devices for signaling distress both visually and audibly
• Life jackets for the captain, crew, and passengers
• A working fire extinguisher
• Throwable flotation devices

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Common types of injuries

You can walk around freely on boats most of the time, unlike in cars or airplanes. Boats don’t have seatbelts to anchor riders in place during a crash. Due to the design of most boats, a sudden impact may result in the following:

• Passengers falling overboard
• Drowning
• Whiplash
• Spinal cord injury
• Burns
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Lacerations
• Injuries to bones and ligaments

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Virginia boating law and negligence

The owner and operator of the boat are responsible for boat preparation and passenger safety. Boat owners are required to perform their due diligence before boating, such as checking the weather, equipment, and visibility.

In Virginia, boat owners just complete a safety course to learn all our Commonwealth’s boating laws and regulations, though you do not need a license to own a boat in Virginia.

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Boating while intoxicated

Similar to laws about driving a car, Virginia law strictly forbids anyone from boating intoxicated. Additionally, it is illegal to operate any boat or similar vehicle while under the influence of controlled substances. Alcohol causes slower reaction times and hampers judgement. It has been the cause of many accidents and deaths on the water. Virginia law states that a person is “under the influence” if:

• Their blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher or they’re under the influence of drugs.
• They have any measurable blood alcohol concentration (0.02% or higher) or are under the influence of alcohol and or drugs to the degree that it impairs their ability to operate safely.

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Determining liability

Liability and negligence are challenging to prove. Very rarely will the other party openly admit fault and fully compensate you for your injuries. That’s why talking to an experienced personal injury lawyer should be one of your first steps if you have been injured in a Middlesex County boating accident.

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Call our Middlesex County boat accident lawyers today

Our Middlesex County accident lawyers at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys treat each case with the individual care it deserves. As highly experienced professionals, we understand the sensitivity of personal injury cases and dedicate ourselves entirely to winning you compensation that covers the cost of your injuries and other expenses caused by the accident. Our team has decades of professional experience and a proven track record in the courtroom.

We care about our neighbors and want to help, so we offer our services on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay us if we win your case — that’s our Zero Fee Guarantee. Contact us or call us at (804) 413-6777 to discuss your case and learn how we can help you.

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