Boating Accident Attorney in Brooklyn

Boating violations are often similar to the rules of the road but on water. These include but are not limited to:

• speeding;
• reckless operation;
• lack of safety gear;
• lack of proper boat maintenance; and 
• boating under the influence of drugs and alcohol, also known as BUI in maritime lingo.

These violations often lead to serious injuries and even fatalities. For perspective, a Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation report found that there were at least four deaths per each registered 100,000 watercraft in New York in 2021 alone.

When someone violates boating laws, the risks of accidents and injuries increase. Think about it this way: a boat speeding through crowded waters is like a car racing down a busy street. 

The faster the boat, the harder it is to stop or avoid obstacles, and that's where accidents happen. People can get seriously hurt, from passengers on the boat to swimmers and other boaters. It's a chain reaction – a small violation can lead to a big accident, and suddenly, people are in the water, injured, or worse, killed.

You may have several legal options depending on the unique circumstances of your case. Our attorneys should be able to help determine the best course of action after reviewing your case.

Generally, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim, especially if someone's negligence caused your injuries. The other option is a wrongful death claim, which seeks some form of justice and compensation for the death of a loved one.

Sometimes, the issue might be with the boat itself. If that's the case, then you're looking at product liability – basically saying the accident happened because something was wrong with the boat. Additionally, you might explore other claims like premises liability if the accident was related to the condition of a dock or marina.

The first step in determining your legal options involves having your case reviewed by a boating accident specialist. To get started, please reach out to us today for a free case evaluation.