Boat Accident Lawyer

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If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a boating or water sports accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need a boat accident lawyer who has the experience and legal acumen to get you the full compensation that you deserve. As the injured victim, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your medical treatment, missed time from work, and pain and suffering.

For more than 65 years, the boat accident lawyers of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have helped clients throughout Pennsylvania. Our boating injury attorneys have earned national recognition for their work on behalf of injured victims. We have been named among the Best Lawyers in America, and have received the highest possible peer and client review ratings from Martindale-Hubbell. Our firm has also been honored by Super Lawyers and Lawdragon, with all five partners listed as Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, and Marion Munley named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America directory.

Our attorneys are ready to fairly evaluate your case and provide personalized support and representation. Contact a boating accident lawyer now for a consultation free of charge.

What Causes Boat Accidents?

There are many causes of boat accidents, including:

• Careless and Reckless Operation of a Boat: Many boat captains operate their boats negligently or carelessly, which can lead to boating and water accidents. This can include things such as allowing boat passengers to sit in inappropriate places on the boat while it is moving; splashing other boats; jumping a wake in the vicinity of another boat; violating low wake rules; failing to observe other watercraft in their vicinity; failing to maintain a safe distance from other boats or water vessels; boat operator inattention; failure to yield to another boat, jet ski, water skier or watercraft; and overloading a boat with too many passengers or cargo.

• Excessive Speed: It is very important that boats and all watercraft, including jet skis, maintain a safe speed. Many accidents happen because of speed, and boaters can lose control of the watercraft and easily crash. Safe speeds ensure that boaters can see swimmers, other boaters, objects, and hazards in the water.

• Alcohol Use: All boat and watercraft operators must obey the same laws as a driver behind the wheel of a car. You cannot drive a boat impaired or have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeding 0.08. If you choose to operate a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance, you’re breaking the law and endangering the lives of your passengers and fellow boaters. In Pennsylvania, statute 30 PA Cons Stat § 5502 (2024) notes that if you operate a watercraft while under the influence, you could face fines between $300 and $12,500, up to five years in jail, and/or suspension of boating privileges for one year. If you refuse to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test, the Boating Commission may suspend your boating privileges for up to 18 months.

• Inexperienced Boat Driver: Often the driver of a boat may not have the skill or experience needed to properly operate a boat and this may lead to a boat crash, water-skiing accident, tubing accident, or swimming accident. It is important to learn as much as possible about the experience level of your boat captain before you board a boat or participate in water activities on a boat. There are certain rules and regulations that boating captains should know about and there are several classes on boating that are offered to teach boaters how to navigate the boat.

• Boat Passenger Carelessness or Recklessness: A boat captain or operator is responsible for all passengers on their watercraft. The boat operator must keep all passengers seated while the boat is moving, and make sure their line of sight is clear and unobstructed. Boat drivers should never tow a skier who wants to ride recklessly. When pulling a skier, a designated observer must be in the boat.

• Bad Weather: All boaters and water sport enthusiasts must check their safety equipment, listen to the forecast and create a float plan that details where and when you will be boating. Keep in mind that high winds can make waters very treacherous.

What Steps Can I Take to Avoid a Boating Accident?

Keep these tips in mind before going out on the water:

• Stay sober.
• Keep an eye on the forecast. If rough weather is coming your way, plan your boat trip for another day.
• Make sure there are flotation devices for every passenger on board.
• Take a course on boating safety.
• Make sure you check your boat from bow to stern before heading out.
• Keep a fire extinguisher on the boat in case of fire.

What Should I Do If I’m Injured in a Boating Accident?

In the US Coast Guard’s Recreational Boating Statistics 2024 report, the authority confirms that there were 3,887 boating accidents in 2024, leading to 2,170 injuries, 556 deaths, and around $88 million’s worth of related property damage.

If you are one of the thousands of Americans who are injured in a boating accident each year, there are certain steps you need to take after being involved in a boating accident if you are hoping to recover compensation for your injuries.
Don’t wait to call us for an injury attorney!

The first step following a boating accident is to seek medical attention and report the accident to the proper personnel. In general, this is the Coast Guard, The Fish and Boat Commission, or local authorities, that will send medical help, and begin to assess the situation, specifically in situations where severe injury or death has occurred.

You’ll also want to gather information about the other boats involved in the accident. This includes details like name, contact information, insurance information, etc. In addition, you’ll want to speak to any passengers and eyewitnesses to gather their information as well. No matter who you are speaking to, do not admit fault. Instead, call Munley Law to speak with a boat accident attorney right away. We will make your case the center of our attention so you can get the compensation you deserve.

We will make your case the center of our attention so you can get the compensation you deserve.

Once on land, you’ll need to do the following:

• Notify your insurance company
• Contact a boating accident attorney

Handling a boating accident claim on your own is often complex as many boating accident claims may be challenged on safety measures and weather concerns. But at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we work diligently to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your boating injury.

Who Are the Liable Parties in a Boating Accident?

Just as several parties may be held liable in a car accident, so too are there in boating accidents.

Liable parties in a boating accident may include:

• Another boat operator on the water
• A boat owner
• The boat manufacturer
• An employer

To determine if one of these parties, or multiple parties, is liable in a boating accident, negligence must be established.

The elements of negligence in a boating accident that must be proven to establish liability are:

• There was a legal duty owed to the plaintiff
• The defendant breached that duty
• The plaintiff suffered an injury
• The defendant’s breach caused the injury and resulting damages

If you are struggling with the determinant of negligence in your boating accident case, a boating accident lawyer from Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help.

What Are the Most Common Factors and Injuries in Boating Accidents?

According to the latest data from the United States Coast Guard, the most common factors in boating accidents include:

• Navigation issues (The USCG’s 2024 report says that navigation rule violations were responsible for 55% of boating accidents and 63% of injuries that year.)
• Operator inattention
• Operator inexperience
• Improper lookout
• Machinery failure
• Excessive speed

While many people may think that most boating injuries result from accidents in choppy waters, that isn’t the case. Most boating accidents occur in fair weather conditions with calm waters, minimal wind, and good visibility.

Reducing Fatalities in Boating Accidents

It is common knowledge that drinking and boating do not mix, yet alcohol consumption remains one of the leading causes of boating fatalities. In fact, the US Coast Guard’s latest report notes that alcohol use is the number one contributing factor in boat accident deaths, being listed as the primary factor in 20% of all deaths reported. The document also lists falling overboard as the leading cause of death among its top five primary incident types.

Knowing this, some of the best ways to reduce boating fatalities and protect other boat operators may include:

• Avoiding alcohol and controlled substance consumption before or while operating a boat.
• Make sure that the necessary safety equipment is on board. This includes life jackets for every person on the boat, anchors, etc.
• Load passengers and gear carefully.
• Follow all state, local, and federal boating laws

Contact a Boat Accident Lawyer at Munley Law Now

The experienced boat accident lawyer at Munley Law has represented hundreds of victims of boat accidents. We have learned, through years of experience, that injuries and deaths from boating and watersport accidents are often caused by negligent actions on the part of boat operators. We want to help you evaluate your case today and determine who is at fault for your boating crash. We offer free consultations to all of our boating accident victims and we do not collect a fee unless we win for you. There is no out-of-pocket expenses with our injury lawyer.

Our legal experts are also well-versed in navigating the complexities of local boating laws and personal injury regulations. We have won numerous multi-million dollar settlements for personal injury and wrongful death claims, and can do the same in your case. Munley’s leading attorneys also offer decades of collective experience in law, with our acclaimed work earning us some of the industry’s most respected awards and accolades. Robert Munley III, Caroline Munley, and Marion Munley are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum due to the high values of their settlements secured, and all of our partners have been named Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

Eight of our attorneys have been named Super Lawyers, with partner Marion Munley featured in the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania annually since 2022, and named to the 2024 Top 100 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania and Top 50 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. All of our attorneys have also been honored by Best Lawyers, with Marion Munley named Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law, and Personal Injury Litigation; Daniel Munley named Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation; and James Christopher Munley was named Lawyer of the Year for Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants. Best Lawyers has further awarded our firm the title of Best Law Firms, underscoring our consistent dedication to justice.

Call us today and schedule your free consultation. If you are unable to come to our offices, a boat accident lawyer will arrange to meet with you at home or wherever is most convenient for you. Our attorneys mean business and will fight for you.

Boating Accident FAQ

What Does a Boating Accident Lawyer Near Me Do?

At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we help boat accident victims and their families recover the compensation they need for their boating injuries. Not all personal injury firms handle boat or jet ski accidents, but we handle most maritime claims at Munley Law.

Our firm can help you:

• Gather the needed evidence, such as photos and videos
• Secure a copy of the police report
• Determine liability
• Calculate total losses
• Handle negotiations
• Represent you in court

What Makes Jet Ski Accidents So Dangerous?

Being in an enclosed boat can still leave you at risk for serious injury if you become involved in an accident. However, jet skis often leave accident victims more susceptible to severe injury, similar to how motorcycle riders can be hurt more seriously in a car accident compared to those in a typical car accident.

According to statistics by the US Coast Guard, 40 to 50 people die on jet skis every year, with an additional 600-700 reported injuries. In 2024, the USCG reported a total of 563 personal watercraft-related injuries and 38 deaths. Because there is little protection on a jet ski, riders may experience injuries such as:

• Broken bones
• Neck, back, and spinal cord injury
• Traumatic brain injury and concussion
• Burns
• Lacerations, scrapes, and bruises
• Internal injury
• Hypothermia and drowning.

Is There a Statute of Limitations on Boating Accident Lawsuits?

Victims of boat accidents have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. However, if death occurs as a result of the injuries sustained in the boating accident, the family of the deceased has two years from the date of the wrongful death to make a claim.

What Compensation is Available in a Boat Accident Lawsuit?

If you or a loved one were a boat accident victim, a boat accident law firm can help you secure the compensation you need to move forward from your injuries. Don’t hesitate to call us to speak to one of our experienced boating accident lawyers.

Potential compensation available may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning potential
• Property damage
• Disability
• Pain and suffering

What Happens If the Boat Operator Did Not Have the Proper Safety Measures Available on the Boat?

If your boat operator did not have adequate safety measures and equipment available on the boat, including flotation devices, anchors, fire extinguishers, and other essential tools, the operator may be a liable party in your injury claim. This is especially true if the lack of safety measures on the boat directly caused or contributed to your injuries.

In these cases, it becomes imperative to contact a boating accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Our attorneys at Munley Law can help you determine your boat operator’s liability in the situation and build a strong legal case that allows you to claim your rightful compensation.

If You Are In An Accident, Our Boat Injury Lawyers Can Help

Boating accidents can be devastating, not just to the injury victim but to their family and friends as well. If you have been seriously injured in a boat accident and are facing mounting medical bills, disability, loss of income, or pain and suffering, you need a top-rated boating accident lawyer to handle your legal affairs while you focus on your recovery.

At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our boating accident attorneys work tirelessly to ensure that your boating accident does not leave you in financial ruin or unable to care for yourself. Our lawyers will use their full range of skills, knowledge, and resources to secure the settlement amount you deserve. A Munley Law boating accident attorney will work with you to navigate complex maritime laws, gather the facts of the case, determine liability, and calculate the true value of your claim.

For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact Munley Law or connect with us online to schedule an appointment today.