Atlanta Boat Accident Lawyer

Atlanta Boat Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a boating accident in Georgia, call our lawyers for a free consultation. We are easy to talk to and have the knowledge, experience, staff and resources to maximize your claim. The negligent acts of careless boaters cause hundreds of crashes that result in long term or permanent disabling injuries. If you’re one of the many victims of boating accidents on Lake Lanier, Allatoona, Oconee, or other waterways in Georgia, you may be entitled to compensation to pay for your medical treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering. For a free no obligation consultation, give us a call at 404-975-1775.

Common Causes of Boat Accidents

With so many people sharing the waterways of Georgia, negligent acts that cause injuries and deaths are bound to happen. The most common causes of boating injuries and deaths include:

Operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Alcohol consumption is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. It’s listed as a contributing factor in at least 15% of boating-related deaths. In Georgia, it is illegal to operate a boat with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or greater. Under the Jake and Griffin Prince BUI Law, operating a boat while under the influence of any toxic vapor such as glue or aerosol is also prohibited. If you’re hurt in a BUI accident in Georgia, you may be entitled to punitive damages, which are intended to punish the wrongdoer, in addition to the typical compensatory damages of bodily injury claims.

Reckless boat operation

Operator inattention, driver inexperience, excessive speed, and improper lookout are ranked in the top five primary contributing factors in boating accidents. In Georgia, when a boat or jet ski operator acts with willful disregard for the safety of passengers and others on the water, people who are injured may be able to collect damages above and beyond the typical damages related to their injuries.

Using outdated or defective equipment

Mechanical failure also ranks in the top five factors that contribute to boating fatalities and watercraft injuries. Whether the failure is caused by inadequate maintenance or manufacturer defects, responsible parties can be held accountable.

Failing to obtain adequate training or experience

About 77% of boating fatalities occur on boats where the driver had not completed any boating safety instruction. Under the Kile Glover Boat Education Law, which was enacted in 2014, anyone who was born on or after January 1, 1998 who operates a motorized vessel on the waterways of Georgia must complete a boating education course approved by the Department of Natural Resources. Children who are between the ages of 12 and 15 are allowed to operate a class A vessel if they are accompanied by an adult over 18 who completed an approved boater education course.

Injured in A Boat Accident in Atlanta? We Can Help.

Boat operators, just like drivers of cars and trucks, are responsible for operating their boats safely to prevent harm to their passengers and others in the water. Unlike car and truck accidents, however, boat accidents are governed by state, federal, and international maritime laws. With so many variables, pursuing a claim for damages can be a complicated process.

With more than four decades of experience handling boating accidents, jet ski accidents, drownings, and boat injuries caused by the negligence of others we have a firm understanding of these laws and we’ll use our experience with both personal injury and maritime claims to determine the jurisdictions, theories, laws, and statutes that are applicable to your claim.

Call our boat accident attorneys at 404-975-1775. We are ready to assist you with you case.