Recreational Boater Injury Lawyers
Have you been the injured in a recreational boating accident?
There are many injuries at sea that arise from recreational boating – and, just like driving an automobile, there are “rules of the road” that apply in these situations.
Since the founding of Injury At Sea in 1976, our firm has represented a wide array of clients who have been injured in recreational boating accidents. These accidents can be just as serious and disabling as any injury occurring on oceangoing vessels involving experienced mariners.
“Rules of the road” do apply to recreational boats. Many of these rules are fairly straightforward and common-sense, not unlike the basic rules of operating a motor vehicle. Importantly, though licensing requirements for recreational boaters may be virtually nonexistent, unlicensed boaters are not exempt from responsibility when they injure others.
Some common causes of recreational boating injuries include:
- Failure of small cruise boat operators to observe operating conditions, including large wakes from passing vessels, resulting in severe injury.
- Intoxicated boat operators who caused crash-related injuries.
- Jet ski and high-speed vessel operators causing injury by striking swimmers, water skiers, or causing injuries to persons in the water from propeller-related injuries.
- Failure of operators of recreational facilities to adequately outfit customers with proper equipment, suitably equipped boats, or other gear, resulting in serious injury to customers and/or other persons on or in the water.
Like passengers of – and workers on – commercial vessels, recreational boaters are usually subject to maritime and admiralty law requirements and procedures. In many circumstances, this may allow for access to courts and remedies that expand an injured person’s right to bring a claim. If you have been involved in a recreational boating injury, it is important that you consult with a competent maritime injury attorney to ensure your rights are protected. In some cases, you may require local legal counsel that is steeped in the maritime laws specific to the area where you were injured. In such cases, Injury At Sea may be able to assist you in finding competent local counsel to review your claim.
As with most other claims, the time in which to bring a claim and procedures involved can be very specific and limited. Failure to act promptly may result in the loss of a claim.
What you don’t know about how the law protects you in case of maritime injury can be expensive. As such, it is critical that you contact an experienced maritime injury attorney as soon as possible following an injury at sea.
Contact our maritime attorneys today and tell us your story. Our firm is headquartered in Seattle and has more than 80 years of combined experience representing clients located in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and California. Call us today for a no-obligation assessment of your case.
It’s our name. It’s our business. It’s what we do.
We’re here for you 24/7.