Boat & Watercraft Accident Attorneys in Atlanta & Marietta Representing Georgia Residents
According to the Georgia River Network, Georgia has 70,150 miles of rivers and streams that wind their way across the state, 425,382 acres of public lakes and reservoirs, 854 square miles of estuaries, and 100 miles of coastline.
Whether our fellow Georgians are enjoying these waterways for recreational boating, fishing, or watersports, Lake Lanier, Lake Sinclair, Lake Oconee, Lake Blue Ridge, and Chatuge Lake are popular spots throughout the state.
Several law enforcement agencies are warning people to be wary when they hit these and other popular waterways, as they have seen an increase in intoxicated boating across Georgia, which has led to catastrophic injuries and fatalities that could have been prevented.
At Ashby Thelen Lowry, our boat collision attorneys in Atlanta & Marietta know injuries or deaths caused by boats and other watercraft are often horrific. That is why we are here. To represent injured clients throughout the state of Georgia because we know how hard it is to get your life back on track after it has been impacted by negligence.
We represent individuals and families throughout Georgia by walking alongside them during their recovery and legal journey. We know you are anxious, overwhelmed, frustrated, and exhausted. We know that with each mounting medical bill and doctor appointment, those feelings become more intense. We can help ease your stress and allay your fears by providing skilled legal representation that produces results.
We have earned our clients’ trust with hard work, frequent communication, and expertise. We can provide the same exceptional legal advice, guidance, and representation for you and your family, starting with a free case review. Call us today to learn more.
What are the Most Common Causes of Boat Accidents, Injuries, and Fatalities in Georgia?
The United States Coast Guard reported 107 boating crashes in Georgia last year.
One of the leading factors that contribute to boat crashes is alcohol use, which accounts for 23% of all boating fatalities throughout the country. Just like operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated is illegal — and negligent — in Georgia, so is operating a boat or other watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
When drunk, drugged, or other negligent boaters cause collisions, injuries, and fatalities in Georgia, they can be pursued for the financial recovery our clients deserve.
Other common causes of boat crashes include, but are not limited to:
- Capsizing and/or Sinking
- Colliding with Objects or Other Vessels
- Dangerous Weather Conditions
- Design Defects
- Distracted or Careless Operation
- Electrocutions from Stray Currents
- Excessive Speed
- Failures to Warn
- Falls Overboard
- Fires or Explosions
- Force of Waves/Wake
- Lack of Lifejackets and/or Safety Gear
- Manufacturing Defects
- Mechanical or Equipment Failures
- Navigational Errors
- Operator Inexperience
- Propeller Incidents
- Running Aground
- Slips and Falls Aboard the Vessel
- Standing or Sitting in Unauthorized Areas
Boating and other watercraft crashes cause serious injuries including broken bones, burns, internal organ injuries, neck and spine injuries, concussions and traumatic brain injuries, electric shock, burn injuries, amputations, near-drownings, and wrongful deaths. When the cause of death was known, the Coast Guard said 81% of deadly boating incident victims drowned.
If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a Georgia boat collision caused by negligence, you need legal representatives you can trust.
When our clients retain our law firm, our goal is to be at their service for life, and that service usually starts at the most awful moment of their life — when they need catastrophic injury attorneys like us.
We deliberately limit the number of cases we take so that we can build relationships with our clients, devote the time that their cases deserve, and make their goals our goals. Together, we have decades of experience in overseeing the most complicated, catastrophic, and meaningful cases on behalf of the most deserving clients. It is our honor, and our passion, to serve.
At Ashby Thelen Lowry, We Also Focus on The Following Services:
Who is Liable for Boat Defects that Cause Injuries and Fatalities in Georgia?
The vast majority of boat defect injuries or deaths occur when a person contacts the boat’s propeller. Boat propellers spin hundreds if not thousands of times a minute. The blades on a propeller are designed to be sharp, so they can cut through the water.
Boat manufacturers must make boats as safe as possible so that occupants are not placed in the path of a spinning propeller. Sometimes, however, boat manufacturers make boats that trade a safe design for exciting looks, and that rarely ends well.
Defective boat designs can place occupants in the path of a spinning propeller in several different ways:
- Boats can submarine underwater unexpectedly when crossing waves or wakes, sometimes waves or wakes are created by the boat itself. This causes people to abandon the boat, or even be washed out of the boat. This phenomenon is called many different things in the boating industry, including bow swamping, or swamping the boat (the most common phrases), bow submerging, taking water over the bow, and even chili dipping.
- Boats can turn or maneuver in such a way that properly seated occupants are ejected.
Boat and watercraft defects can also harm or kill occupants in other ways, such as:
- Carbon monoxide poisoning from boat engines can be breathed in by occupants or those being pulled by a boat during normal operation.
- Unguarded pinch points, can result in finger amputations or other serious injuries to hands and feet.
- These defects can also extend to other watercraft, such as jet skis. Those defects manifest in a variety of different ways, but some of the more common defects are:
- Loss of steering and control when the driver lets go of the throttle.
- Water jet propulsion that seriously injures occupants who fall off the back.
When a person’s injury or death was caused by a defect that can be changed, we often pursue these cases beyond the courtroom to help ensure that manufacturers recall unsafe products and protect others who will be injured in the future.
Since there is little to no meaningful regulation in the boating industry, jury verdicts are the only proven method to make the industry wake up and change. There are many well-documented instances where jury verdicts have changed the boating industry for the better (as they do with any industry).
When our Atlanta & Marietta boat collision and injury attorneys at Ashby Thelen Lowry say we exist to serve our clients, we take that statement very seriously. We do not use it as a marketing tool, but instead to present our law firm’s goals upfront: Striving to provide actual results for real people who have been injured by the negligence of others.
We have guided our clients and their families through the legal process with precision for over a decade and have procured record-setting verdicts for our clients — because that is what they deserve.
Contact us today at (404) 777-7771 or online to determine whether we are a good fit for your case, so we can start pursuing real results together.
Our Atlanta & Marietta Boat Accident, Injury, and Fatality Law Firm is Here to Help
Ashby Thelen Lowry has earned our clients’ trust with hard work and expertise and has an exceptional reputation with other law firms and in our communities. We can provide the same service for you and your family.
We understand that suffering personal injuries because of another person’s negligence is nothing short of life-changing. We want to help you turn the page, and move forward with confidence, starting today.
Contact our skilled Georgia boat collision lawyers and support team today at (404) 777-7771 to schedule a free consultation, so we can tell your story and ensure your voice is heard by pursuing the best outcome for your unique case.
Related Links:
Frequently Asked Questions for Boat Accident
After ensuring everyone’s safety, document the scene, seek medical attention for any injuries, and report the incident to the relevant authorities. Then, contact our experienced boat accident attorneys for guidance on next steps.
Our attorneys are experienced in navigating the complex legal process surrounding boat accidents. We can help you gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate for your rights to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Compensation for a boat accident may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and in some cases, punitive damages. Our attorneys will assess your case to determine the full extent of damages you may be entitled to. You will get more accurate information regarding your specific case at your initial consultation.
In the state of Georgia there is a modified comparative fault rule. This rule allows for those who were partially at fault for the accident to still be able to recover some damages. It is important to note that your compensation may be reduced based on your degree of fault. Our attorneys will evaluate your case and strive to maximize your recovery.
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including boat accidents, is generally two years from the date of the accident. It’s crucial to act promptly to preserve your right to compensation. Contact our attorneys as soon as possible to discuss your case.
If the accident was caused by the negligence of another boat operator, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the accident and hold the negligent party accountable for their actions. You will need to prove that the accident was caused by their negligence.
Yes, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim if you lost a loved one in a boat accident due to someone else’s negligence. Our compassionate attorneys can guide you through the legal process and seek justice on behalf of your family.
It’s essential to consult with an experienced Atlanta or Marietta attorney before accepting any settlement offer from the insurance company. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, and our attorneys can assess the adequacy of the offer and negotiate for a fair settlement that fully compensates you for your losses. An attorney would be able to inform you if the settlement amount is enough or not to cover your medical bills.
