Talk to a California Boat Accident Lawyer – You May Be Entitled to Compensation for:
- Lost wages from injuries or death
- Pain and Suffering
- Funeral expenses
- & more
We will fight for you at no out-of-pocket cost to you. You do not pay any upfront legal fees or expenses, and you owe nothing unless compensation is recovered on your behalf. You won’t pay unless and until we win your case. Contact a boat accident lawyer at GJEL today to find out if you have a case.
GJEL Is An Award-Winning Personal Injury Law Firm
GJEL is one of California’s highest-rated boat accident law firms and we have recovered over $950 Million dollars for our clients while maintaining a 99% success rate. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and every boating accident case depends on its specific facts, evidence, and legal circumstances. We specialize in helping victims who have been seriously injured or killed in boating and watercraft accidents throughout California.
What You Should Do After A Boat Accident
At the Scene
Contact the nearest Coast Guard or state marine police station to file a report of the incident. Preserving evidence early is critical and may include obtaining official accident reports, photographing vessel damage, identifying witnesses, securing maintenance records, and retaining medical documentation. Get names, contact information, and insurance information from any other boaters involved, and take photos of the accident scene. These reports and photos will preserve information and help with any subsequent settlement or litigation.
After a boat accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. Even if the injury appears minor, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Injuries may not become apparent until days or even weeks after an accident.
After the Accident
If you have been involved in a boating accident, you will need to consult a boat injury lawyer who will be able to advise you on the best course of action. Your case is typically handled by a dedicated legal team that may include attorneys, paralegals, and support staff working together to investigate liability and build your claim. Boating accident claims may involve maritime law, state negligence rules, or federal regulations, and determining which laws apply depends on where and how the accident occurred. You should also gather as much documentation as you can on your injuries and related expenses.
Be careful what you say to other third parties. Insurance adjusters and attorneys have a vested interest in minimizing your damages and paying as little as possible on your claim. Boat accident claims often involve aggressive defenses, including liability waivers, blame-shifting, and insurers disputing injury severity or causation. It is best to let an experienced attorney handle their questions and requests.
Types of Cases We Handle
At GJEL, we handle all types of boating accidents. Here are a few of the more common accidents we see:
- Boating accidents at work-related functions
- Charter Boat and SCUBA Accidents
- Boat Fires
- Slip and Falls
While some boats may seem safer than others, a cabin cruiser is just as susceptible to an accident as a sailboat. This is because the weather on the water can be unpredictable.
If you were injured on a boat you should talk to an attorney right away. You should especially consider legal representation if someone was seriously injured, fault is disputed, a rental or commercial vessel was involved, or an insurance company is already challenging your claim.
Boating Injury Lawyers at GJEL are standing by ready to help in your time of need!
California Boating Accidents Are Common
Whether you are enjoying time on a privately owned boat, riding a personal watercraft such as a jet ski, or taking a ferry to work you are at risk for serious boating injuries. Boating accidents may involve personal boats, jet skis and other personal watercraft, ferries, charter boats, commercial vessels, rental boats, and boat-versus-swimmer incidents.
While boating can be a fun activity, sometimes accidents happen.
Although boat operators and owners have a duty to exercise the highest degree of care in order to prevent injuries to others, injuries still frequently occur as the result of negligence or carelessness.
Some of the most common boat accidents are the following:
- Slip and fall due to a wet surface
- Multiple boat collisions
- Boat sinking or tipping
- Boat fires
- Falling off a boat
- Death
Many accidents that take place on watercraft are the result of a reckless or inexperienced operator or some type of boat malfunction. In addition to negligence claims, you may have a product liability case if a defective boat, engine, fuel system, or safety equipment contributed to your injuries.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a boating accident, contact GJEL Boat Accident Attorneys today for a free case review. Strict deadlines may apply to boating accident and wrongful death claims, and waiting too long can permanently bar your right to recover compensation. We have recovered over $10 million dollars for clients who have been seriously injured or killed due to the negligence of a boat operator or owner.
Top Causes of Boat Accidents in California
Boating accidents may involve overlapping state, federal, or maritime laws, especially when accidents occur on open water or involve commercial or out-of-state operators. In 2021, there were 593 reported boating accidents in California, resulting in 256 injuries and 44 fatalities. Here are some of the most common reasons for boating accidents.
Intoxication
Over one-third of all boating accidents involve a boat driver who is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. California has strict BUI (boating under the influence) laws, but they are often ignored. A boat accident attorney can get you the compensation you deserve for injuries caused by intoxicated boaters.
Unsafe Speed
Boating too fast for water conditions can lead to serious boat accidents. Other boats can be overturned in wakes caused by a reckless boater, or passengers can be injured when a boat slams into submerged rocks at high speeds or is unable to stop before hitting another watercraft.
Careless and Reckless Operation of a Boat
Many injuries happen due to operator negligence. Recreational boats are required to carry fire extinguishers and life vests and to have horns and visual signals. Captains must watch for other boats and swimmers in the water. A boat accident attorney can help you hold negligent owners responsible for their carelessness.
Inexperienced Boat Driver
Boat operators must understand the water rules. They must be able to handle emergency situations and they must know how to drive and steer a boat. Without that knowledge, an inexperienced boater becomes a hazard to passengers and to other boaters. Operator inexperience is the third leading cause of boat accidents.
Boat Passenger Carelessness or Recklessness
While boating accidents are most frequently caused by operator error, passengers can also be found guilty of reckless, criminal, or negligent behavior. A passenger who assaults another passenger or interferes with the boat’s operation can be held liable for their actions should they lead to injuries or accidents.
Bad Weather
When you are out on the water, the weather can be unpredictable. Operators need to stay alert for weather changes and pay attention to forecasts and Coast Guard warnings of dangerous weather. conditions. If they do not, they put their craft and passengers at serious risk of injury or death.
Boat Accident Statistics Across the US
There are approximately 13 million boats and watercrafts registered in the U.S., many of which should be equipped with Coast Guard-approved safety devices, such as:
- Personal floatation devices of varying sizes for adults and children
- Sound-producing devices, such as a horn, whistle, or bell
- Working radio to make distress calls in the event of an emergency
- Fire extinguisher
- Visual distress signals such as lights or orange flags
- Ventilation on gasoline-powered boats
These and other safety devices are important for boaters of all ages and skill levels because they may save lives by preventing accidents and serious injuries. Unfortunately, 800 people are killed and over 8,000 people suffer injuries due to involvement in boating accidents every year.
Types of Damage in a Boat Accident Lawsuit
Boating accidents can be traumatic, life-changing events. Common boating accident injuries include near-drowning, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, severe burns, fractures, internal injuries, and fatal injuries. If you were involved in a boating accident due to someone else’s negligence or misbehavior, you are eligible for compensation for your losses. Even if you are found partially responsible for the accident, California law may still allow you to recover compensation, with your total recovery reduced based on your percentage of fault. Here are some of the damages that you can claim in a boat accident lawsuit. Recoverable damages may include both economic losses, such as medical expenses and lost income, and non-economic losses, such as pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Costs of Past and Future Medical Treatment
Slips and falls, near-drowning, propeller wounds, or other injuries from a boating accident can lead to high medical bills and ongoing medical expenses. If your boat accident attorney can prove in a lawsuit that the other party or parties were totally at fault in the incident, you can expect full compensation for any past or future medical treatment needed for your injuries. To prove fault, your claim typically must establish a duty of care, a breach of that duty, a direct connection to your injuries, and measurable damages. This includes not only doctor and hospital expenses but also rehabilitation, therapy, and necessary medical devices.
Compensation for Pain and Suffering
Boating accidents can leave you with chronic pain and mental trauma. If the injuries you sustained were severe and caused you to experience extreme pain and emotional suffering, or if you lost a loved one due to a boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering, and emotional distress. An experienced boat accident lawyer can ensure that you are made whole for grief, anxiety, and sleepless nights caused by someone else’s carelessness.
Lost Wages
A boating accident may leave you unable to work for a lengthy period or leave you unable to perform your previous job. If you lose wages or your ability to work is impacted as a result of a negligent boater, you deserve to be compensated for your financial losses, lost benefits, missed promotions, and other damages to your earning potential. A skilled boating accident attorney can tally your wage losses and build a strong case for your lost wage claims.
Damage to Property
If your boat is damaged in a boating accident where the other party was at fault, you are entitled to compensation for the fair market value of your boat or for the cost of any necessary repairs. You may also raise a claim for personal property that was damaged, lost, or destroyed in the boating accident. Your boat accident lawyer can help you tally up your property losses and file reimbursement claims with the proper people.
Talk to a Boat Accident Attorney at GJEL
We invite you to call 1-855-508-9565 or email lawfirm@gjel.com to speak with an experienced boating accident attorney at GJEL if you or a loved one have been injured in a boating accident. We provide free consultations, and we’re paid only when we win your claim. You’ll pay no fees if we don’t obtain a verdict or settlement for you.
Please visit the Contact Us page to find our local office nearest you. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
If you or someone you know was injured in a boat accident, contact GJEL today for a no-obligation free case review at (925) 471-8225. Delaying legal guidance can weaken your claim, so speaking with an experienced boating accident attorney as soon as possible helps protect your rights.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Andrew (Andy) R. Gillin is a founding partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has practiced personal injury law in California state and federal courts since 1970. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School and co-founded GJEL in 1972. Over the course of his career, Andy has helped hundreds of injured plaintiffs recover compensation, including multiple seven-figure settlements and verdicts. He specializes in serious injury and wrongful death cases and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, with recognition from Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America.
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