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Seth Carroll - Partner at Commonwealth Law Group
Chesterfield County Boat Accident Attorney

Boat Accident Attorneys in Chesterfield County

Recreational boating is a fun activity for the entire family. Many residents of Chesterfield County often spend the weekend on the water having a blast. But unfortunately, recreational boating accidents are all too common.

A boating accident can happen in the blink of an eye, especially when the waterways are crowded like on holiday weekends. Just like driving a car on the freeway, piloting a boat takes skill and practice. There are a lot of unsafe and reckless boaters out there who can cause serious injuries if they aren’t careful.

And when alcohol is added to the mix, boating accidents are very common — and they could cause serious and significant injuries and even death.

Get Help with Your Boating Accident Injuries

If you have been seriously injured in a boating accident, you need to contact an experienced boat accident law firm. The boat accident attorneys at Commonwealth Law Group focus their practice on helping seriously injured people get the compensation they deserve for their injuries, damages, and losses.

Because boating accidents are all too common, the boat accident lawyers at Commonwealth Law Group know what it takes to successfully represent people who have been seriously injured in boat crashes.

Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation to get started in fighting for your rights.

Common Causes of Boating Accidents

Boating accidents have many common causes. In many cases, accidents are caused by the negligence of boat pilots. 

The best way to investigate the cause of boating accidents is to hire a boat accident law firm to use their knowledge, skills, and resources to find out what happened. Keep reading for more information about the common causes of boating accidents:

Boating Under the Influence

Like driving a car under the influence, boating under the influence (BUI) of drugs or alcohol is very dangerous and increases the risks of accidents significantly. 

Virginia’s BUI laws are the same as those for driving a vehicle. A boat pilot with a BAC of .08% or higher will be arrested for BUI. If the pilot is under 21 years of age, they can be arrested if they have any alcohol in their system.

Falling Overboard

One of the common causes of boating fatalities is when a boat passenger falls overboard and drowns. Well over 50% of boating fatalities are caused by drowning when falling overboard. 

Virginia law states that every boat on the water has to carry a life jacket for each person on board. Although life jackets don’t have to be worn at all times, they must be easily accessible.

Speeding

Again, just like with vehicles on the roads, speeding while boating can significantly increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Virginia requires boat pilots to drive at a safe speed, although there is no statewide speed limit for boats. 

Adverse Weather

Boaters have to pay attention to the weather. NOAA weather reports should be consulted prior to entering the water and during the boating trip. Bad weather, heavy rain, and strong winds can easily and quickly approach and cause boats to sink.

Mechanical Failures

If a boat's engine isn’t properly maintained, it can fail at a dangerous time. If your boat loses propulsion when you are far out in the water, you risk being struck by other boats and sinking.

Contact Experienced Boat Accident Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a boating accident, you may have many questions. Who is going to pay for my medical bills? I can’t work, so how can I pay my bills? How do I get compensation for my pain and suffering?

All of these are legitimate questions, and the boating accident attorneys at Commonwealth Law Group have answers. We will sit down with you for as long as it takes to answer your questions honestly and with compassion. You do not have to go through this difficult time alone.

Contact us immediately to schedule your free initial consultation.

Common Boating Accident Injuries

Over our decades of helping people who have been seriously injured by someone else’s negligence, the boat injury lawyers at Commonwealth Group have seen many types of serious injuries caused by boating accidents. Here are some common injuries that boating accident victims suffer:

  • Broken and fractured bones
  • Compound fractures
  • Amputations
  • Back injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Herniated discs
  • Bulging discs
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Paraplegia
  • Quadriplegia
  • Second- and third-degree burn injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Concussions
  • Fractured skulls

People injured in boating accidents may be entitled to receive compensation for the pain and suffering they’ve endured. They may also be entitled to other damages, such as lost wages and unpaid medical bills. The best way to be compensated is to hire experienced and skilled boat injury lawyers to help you with your case.

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FAQs

Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Boating Injuries?

Many people have the potential to be at fault in a boating accident. Every case is different. Perhaps only one person was negligent, or perhaps many people contributed to causing the crash and your injuries. 

The person at fault could be the boat pilot, the boat’s owner, another boat’s owner, or some other party. The smartest decision is to hire a boating accident attorney to investigate the case and determine who was at fault.

Are Boating Accidents Treated Like Car Accidents?

Mostly yes, boating accidents are handled similarly to car accidents. Your boating accident lawyer will have to determine who was negligent, just like with a car accident. 

Boaters must follow certain laws and rules. If they violate those rules and that violation causes an accident and injuries, they can be held responsible.

Is It Going to Cost Me Any Money to Hire a Boating Accident Lawyer?

Every case is different, so there isn’t a set type of fee structure that covers every case. However, most boating accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means that the client doesn’t have to pay anything upfront for experienced legal representation. 

If the case is successful and you recover compensation, the attorney will take a portion of that as their fee. The bottom line is that it won’t cost you anything upfront to get your boating accident questions answered.

What Should I Do After a Boating Accident?

Make sure you seek medical treatment after a boating accident. Even if you think your injuries are not serious, you should see a doctor anyway. Some injuries may seem minor at first but quickly turn into something serious. 

The best decision is to see a doctor, do some diagnostic tests, and see what is going on. Once you see a doctor, follow up with their treatment plan. Not only will it help you get better, but it will also help your boating accident case.

Commonwealth Law Group Is Here to Help

If you have serious injuries from a boating accident, do not hesitate to contact the boating accident lawyers at Commonwealth Law Group. We will use our skills and resources to give you strong representation and fight for your right to receive full and fair compensation for your injuries.

“Great law group. Everyone was kind and down to earth. Made me feel like I was their only client. Very attentive to me and my case.”

Karen Jacobs

If you have been injured at work or through the negligence of another individual or entity, contact us at (804) 999-9999 or or use the form below to connect with our legal team. We will fight to get you the justice you deserve.