Boating Accidents

• How We Can Help
• Experience
• A Sampling of Cases We Have Handled
• Investigation
• Medical Bills
• Helpful Links

Many factors can contribute to a boating accident either on a privately owned vessel, a personal watercraft (jet ski) or even a ferry. Some of these factors include:

• Driver error
• Driver inexperience
• Driving while intoxicated
• Excessive Speed
• Equipment failure
• Vessel overload
• Improper maintenance
• Adverse weather and/or water conditions

In the State of Florida, boating accidents increased by 15% from 2004 to 2005. The leading cause of death was drowning (71%, this highlights the importance of the use of floatation devices). Rental watercraft accounted for 26% of all accidents which is very high considering the fact that rental watercraft accounted for 2.09% of all registered personal watercraft. Alcohol use was the leading primary cause of fatal boating accidents.

In 2004 there were approximately 13 million registered boats in the U.S. There were approximately 5,000 reported boating accidents. There were 3,363 injuries and 676 fatalities. Seventy percent (70%) of the injuries were fatalities and 90% of those who died were not wearing floatation devices. The most reported type of accident was collision with another vessel. However, the capsizing and falls overboard were the most reported fatal accidents. Approximately 70% of all fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received boat safety instruction.

How We can Help

Injuries suffered as a result of a boating accident can be severe and life altering. You may have suffered nerve damage or spinal cord paralysis, broken or dislocated a bone or limb, or you may have lost the use of a limb. You should know that insurance companies are in business to make money. The way that they make money is by limiting the amount of money that they pay out on claims. Insurance adjusters will attempt to take recorded statements, send out investigators or attempt to secure written statements. DO NOT give any statements to any insurance company representative before you call us It is also important to contact us right away because there may be forms that need to be submitted, we may need to retain the services of an expert, and we may need to speak with witnesses while the incident is still fresh in their minds.

As a general rule of law a boat operator and its owner must exercise the highest degree of care to prevent injuries to those passengers in the boat or swimmers or others in the waters or boats around them. Our experienced attorneys will discuss your situation and go over the options available to you, as well as work with insurance companies and other parties involved in your case to make sure all your needs are handled quickly and appropriately.

Experience

Our attorneys worked for major insurance companies as well as the City of New York before becoming plaintiff’s lawyers. They know how insurance carriers and municipalities investigate, work up, negotiate and defend lawsuits. After approximately a decade of defense representation the attorneys began representing people who suffered serious injuries. They have been representing injured parties for just about 10 years.

A Sampling of Cases We Have Handled

Family was out for a day on the boat. The boat hit a large wake and flipped over injuring a young girl.

A jet ski overturned while a father and son were on board. The jet ski turned over because the father forgot to put the bilge plug back before riding.

Investigation

It is really important that we begin our investigation as soon as possible. We need to contact witnesses, if possible take photos of the accident scene and the damage to the vessel(s) involved. The case goes much smoother when we are called soon after the accident. The insurance companies will do their own investigation. The insurance companies are in business to make money. They make money by limiting the amount that they pay out on claims. It is our job to maximize the amount that our clients recover. Through different means of investigation, we are able to build a case that maximizes the recovery and minimizes the delays.

Medical Bills

Our firm understands that your immediate goals after going through such a traumatic experience are to get the best medical care possible, make sure that your medical bills are covered, and make sure that you do not suffer financially through any lost wages. Our experienced attorneys will discuss your situation and go over the options available to you, as well as work with insurance companies and other parties involved in your case to make sure all your needs are handled quickly and appropriately Time is short, do not delay, contact us or call us.

Helpful Links

• Florida boating accident statistics
• US Coast Guard stats
• US Coast Guard boat safety tips
• Recreational boat building industry resource

Our firm represents clients located in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, New York State and many other states (New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Georgia, Florida, Colorado, North Carolina, and California, and we will handle a case in any state provided we can do so in full compliance with court rules regarding multijurisdictional practice, association of local counsel and/or admission pro hac vice) who have suffered personal injuries or lost loved ones in boating accidents and collisions.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, CONTACT US ONLINE OR CALL US AT (516) 742-8897= (516) PIATTYS in Long Island, (212) 267-9377= (212) ANSWERS In Manhattan TO SET UP A FREE CONSULTATION. If you can’t come to us, we will come to you in the hospital or we will visit you in our mobile office.