Boating Accident Lawyers in Morrow, GA

With Lake Lanier, Lake Allatoona, and Lake Oconee practically in their backyard, many Atlanta residents enjoy spending their recreational time boating, swimming, and water skiing. Whether you have a fishing or pontoon boat, accidents often happen on the water resulting in severe injury, death, or accidental drowning. If it is determined that another boater was at fault for the accident, you are legally entitled to pursue compensation for property damages, bodily injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and general pain and suffering caused by the accident. If your injury was caused by defective equipment, you might be entitled to pursue compensation from the boating manufacturer, depending on the circumstances.

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of another’s negligence, Stein & Fox LLC’s boating accident lawyers in Morrow, GA would love to represent you. Our personal injury law firm assists with filing boating accident claims, ensuring you are always compliant with the investigators, insurance companies, and any applicable boating laws. It can be a complicated process proving who is liable for an accident, but our boating accident lawyers will be with you every step of the way.

What to Do If You Have Been Injured in a Boating Accident

A boating accident should be treated as seriously as a car accident. The proper authorities should be notified, including 911 and the police, so that an official accident report may be filed. Seek medical treatment right away for any injuries sustained during your boating accident, no matter how minor. While waiting for the authorities to arrive, try to take photos of the accident scene, including damages to your boat and any injuries (only if it is safe for you to do so). Exchanging contact info with others involved and any witnesses to the accident is also beneficial in building your case afterward. You should be as truthful as possible when dealing with the authorities. However, you should never admit fault, verbally, or in writing, for an accident before an investigation has been conducted.

Common Causes for Boating Accidents in the Atlanta Area

Operating a boat takes the same amount of attention as operating any motor vehicle. These are some of the common causes for boating accidents that our personal injury lawyers in Atlanta see regularly:

• Reckless driving (operating a boat at speeds beyond the posted speed limits)
• Operating a boat while intoxicated or under the influence
• Failure to recognize obstacles on the water or other boaters
• Operating a boat with little-to-no experience leading to operator errors
• Failure to yield correctly to other boaters on the water when passing
• Failure to follow boating safety regulations or having an improperly trained crew
• Defective boating equipment or parts resulting in injury or wrongful death

Boat Owner Liability under Georgia Law

Boat and watercraft owners can be held accountable even if they were not operating their vessels when the accident happened. According to Georgia law §51-1-22, boat owners will be considered to be at fault for any accident where they provided consent to another person to operate their vessel. The consent may be expressed or implied, meaning that the owner does not have to provide oral consent to be held responsible.

Why You Should Speak with a Boating Accident Lawyer First

While most people injured in a boating accident are anxious to move forward and put it behind them as quickly as possible, you should also be aware that most insurance companies are also looking to reach a boating accident settlement in haste. Never sign any insurance paperwork or consent to giving a recorded statement without consulting one of our experienced boating accident lawyers in Morrow first. You could be jeopardizing your chances of receiving a fair settlement amount without even knowing it.

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Boating Accident Claims

In the state of Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including a boating accident claim, is two years. However, there may be exceptions to the rule that only a personal injury lawyer would know. Another question we often receive is whether a boating accident in another state or on international waters during a cruise requires the expertise of an out-of-state attorney. The general answer is no. Our boating accident lawyers have represented clients seeking compensation from people outside the state of Georgia. If a loved one has died as a result of injuries sustained during a boating accident, we also advocate on behalf of surviving family members seeking wrongful death suits.

Call Stein & Fox LLC for a Free Boating Accident Case Review

If you were injured in a boating accident because of someone else’s recklessness, please contact Stein & Fox LLC to set up a consultation. No matter the circumstances involved, our boating accident lawyers in Clayton County are here to provide a free case review to determine the strength of your claims. Do not wait until you are past the statute of limitations. Reach out to our skilled attorneys today with any questions.