Knowledgeable Virginia Beach Boating Accident Lawyers Assist Injured Clients

Experienced Virginia boat injury law firm serving the Hampton Roads area

Virginia’s Hampton Roads region is filled with beautiful waterways that include the Atlantic Ocean as well as various bays, channels and rivers. However, a good day on the water can change in an instant. If you were injured in a boating accident that was caused by negligence, the Virginia Beach boating accident lawyers at Ernest Law Group, PLC will help you pursue fair compensation.

Boating accidents are frequent in Virginia Beach and other Hampton Roads locations

According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), Boating Division, dozens of serious boating accidents occur each year. Some of which are fatal. Our firm handles cases involving all types of accidents occurring on waterways such as:

• James River
• Chesapeake Bay
• Elizabeth River
• Atlantic Ocean
• Hampton Roads Channel
• Elizabeth River

If you were injured in a boating accident that was due to the negligent actions of someone else, one of our personal injury lawyers in Hampton Roads can discuss your legal options. Should you have questions about the fatality of a loved one on the water, we’ll explain if you can recover wrongful death damages.

Types of boating accidents

There are numerous ways for someone to get hurt while on or near a boat, including:

• Collisions between watercraft
• A crash into a fixed object
• Falls while on a slippery deck
• Sinking and capsizing
• Boats and propellers hitting or running over people
• Falls overboard

Contributing factors to boating accidents could include an operator under the influence, excessive speed, lack of qualifications and the failure to react to hazardous conditions. We will investigate all the factors that led to your accident in order to build a strong case.

Types of watercraft common in Virginia Beach boating accidents

Boats and other watercraft that are involved in accidents in Virginia include the following:

• Open motorboats
• Personal watercraft (Jet Skis and Wave Runners)
• Pontoon boats
• Cabin motorboats
• Sailboats
• Houseboats

No matter what type of boat your accident occurred on or with, a Virginia Beach boating accident lawyer from our firm will advise you about your rights.

Non-passenger victims in boating accidents

You don’t have to be in a boat to be an injured victim of a boating accident. Non-passengers who are hurt in boating accidents can include people who are:

• Swimming
• Scuba diving
• Snorkeling
• Parasailing
• Waterskiing
• Wakeboarding

If you were run over or hit by a boat as a non-passenger, we can examine the circumstances and pursue justice for you in a legal claim.

Who is responsible for a boating accident?

Who is at fault depends upon the situation. Possible liable parties in boating accidents may be:

• The boat owner and operator
• The boat operator if different from the owner
• The lookout who failed to see hazards
• The manufacturer of a boat part that malfunctions

If a boat is rented, the rental company may also be responsible, even if you signed a liability waiver. We will assess the situation to determine responsibility, whether of an owner, operator, rental operator or other party. Though you generally have two years to file a lawsuit, it is best to act quickly so that relevant evidence can be collected.    

Compensation for boating accident victims

If you were injured in a boating accident, you may be able to get compensation for damages such as the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

Our lawyers will assess your potential financial recovery and work hard to secure maximum compensation for you.

Contact a Virginia Beach boating accident attorney for a free consultation

Ernest Law Group, PLC in Virginia Beach represents victims of boat accidents in the Hampton Roads area. Please call us at 757-289-2499 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation.