Boating Accidents

We help people who have been injured as a result of a recreational boating accident. Boating is one of the country’s most popular forms of entertainment and recreational pastimes. In fact, millions of boats are registered in the United States. Unfortunately, more boating increases the likelihood of boating accidents.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) reports that there were 4,463 recreational boating accidents in 2016. Tragically, those accidents led to 701 deaths, 2,903 injuries, and approximately $49 million in property damage. From 2015 to 2016, the number of recreational boating accidents increased by 7.3 percent, the number of fatalities by 12 percent, and the number of injuries by 11.1 percent.

With the exception of machinery failure, most boating injuries stem from negligence on the part of the owner or operator.

The following steps should be taken if you are involved in a boating accident:

Call law enforcement or the Coast Guard and ask for official records of the accident
Find witnesses and obtain signed eyewitness testimony
Obtain official medical records from a licensed health care provider who oversaw your medical treatment and diagnoses
Collect documentation stating your need for continued medical treatment for injuries sustained in the boat accident
Obtain photographs of the scene where the accident took place (the boat(s) involved in the accident, the injuries, the witnesses, the surrounding area, etc.)
Request insurance documents detailing the cause of the accident.

When negligence results in injury, the injured party suffers losses in many ways. The boating accident lawyers at Cooper Law Partners will help maximize your likelihood of obtaining full compensation for loss of earnings, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other damages.