Skilled Boat Accident Attorneys in Fort Mill, Greenville & Rock Hill, SC
Last year, the United States Coast Guard issued a boat accident report that listed all 141 boat accidents that occurred in South Carolina, which caused 15 fatalities over twelve months.
Their follow up Safe Boating Campaign statistics ranked South Carolina as fifth in the nation in recreational boating accidents, which is not a list our state strives to be on.
South Carolina’s boating popularity stems from our 3,000 miles of coastline, 8,000 miles of river, and over 450,000 acres of lakes, which makes boating a highly sought-after activity for our residents and visitors, especially during the warm spring, summer, and fall seasons.
Safe boating practices can go a long way in ensuring our communities enjoy their time on the water without injury. However, like many outdoor activities, negligence can play a significant role in how a day can quickly turn from an exciting day on the water to a catastrophic event.
If you have been hurt while on the water, our David W. Martin Law Group boat accident lawyers in Fort Mill, Greenville & Rock Hill, will help you pursue the negligent person or parties who caused your injuries, so you can focus on getting the medical care and time away from work you need to get your life back.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Boat Accidents in Fort Mill, Greenville & Rock Hill, SC?
In the USCG reports, it is noted that most South Carolina boat accidents, and those throughout the rest of the country, are due to circumstances that occur partly or entirely within the control of the boat’s operator.
The most common causes of boat accidents in South Carolina may include, but are not limited to:
- Colliding with objects or other vessels
- Alcohol or drug use
- Distracted or careless operation
- Operator inexperience
- Running aground
- Capsizing and/or sinking
- Excessive speed
- Electrocutions from stray currents
- Failing to appoint a proper lookout
- Falls overboard
- Force of waves/wake
- Lack of lifejackets and/or safety gear
- Navigational errors
- Obstructed vision
- Overloading the vessel
- Propeller accidents
- Sharp turns
- Slips and falls aboard the vessel
- Standing or sitting in unauthorized areas
- Mechanical or equipment failures
- Fires or explosions
- Dangerous weather conditions
Our Fort Mill, Greenville & Rock Hill boat accident lawyers know that it takes skill, preparation, and experience to properly navigate a vessel safely, and when someone decides to negligently operate a boat, serious injuries and even death can occur without notice.
If you or someone you love has been hurt or killed in a boat accident in Fort Mill, Greenville & Rock Hill, our personal injury lawyers in South Carolina will review your case during a consultation and discuss your legal options confidentially, so you know your rights and eligibility to pursue the negligent party for financial recovery.
Our Fort Mill & Greenville, SC Personal Injury Law Firm at the David W. Martin Law Group Provide the Following Practice Area:
- Auto Accident
- Bicycle Accident
- Dog Bite
- Motorcycle Accident
- Pedestrian Accident
- Truck Accident
- Wrongful Death
- Slip & Fall
- Workers’ Compensation
- Medical Malpractice
- Sexual Abuse
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Amazon/Deliver Driver
- Rideshare Physical and Sexual Assault
- Firefighting Foam Attorneys
What Are the Most Common Boat Accident Injuries in Fort Mill, Greenville & Rock Hill, SC?
At the David W. Martin Law Group, our boat accident attorneys in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC understand that no one considers the dangers of spending the day on the water when they agree to go boating for the day.
The sun, fun, and time with family and friends are all we can think about when a boating opportunity arises.
Unfortunately, negligence is not designated for drivers on our roadways. Our South Carolina waterways can be equally as dangerous, and with fewer law enforcement officials spread out over larger stretches of area, emergency help can take longer to arrive, which can lead to injuries becoming more severe — even catastrophic — as time passes.
The most common injuries associated with boat accidents in South Carolina can include, but are not limited to:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Electrocutions
- Joint injuries
- Lacerations
- Near drownings and drownings
- Neck and spine injuries
- Paralysis
- Torn tissue and ligaments
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Wrongful death
Often, boat accidents are caused by more than one party, which will require an experienced boat accident attorney to sort through the details and determine not only the percentage of fault for each party but the insurance coverage options we may pursue to seek financial recovery for our clients.
If you have been hurt while boating in South Carolina, contact our boat accident lawyers in Greenville County today to learn how we can help you hold the negligent parties responsible for your financial recovery.
Who is Liable for My Fort Mill, Greenville & Rock Hill, SC Boat Accident Injuries?
Much like boat accident injuries and their causes, there may be several different answers for who is liable for your boat accident injuries in Fort Mill, Greenville & Rock Hill, SC.
That is why it is important to partner with an experienced boat accident attorney, so we can examine the true cause of the collision, which may be attributed to:
- Boat Operators
The most common liable party for a boat accident in South Carolina is the person driving — or captaining — the boat at the time of the crash.
That person has control over the vessel and is responsible for ensuring that all laws on the water are obeyed, and all safety protocols — including the proper number of life jackets and required safety equipment — are on the boat during its operation.
Speeding, distractions, operating a vessel under the influence, and other negligent boat operator behaviors cause countless accidents every year in South Carolina.
- Boat Owners
Equipment failures and poorly maintained vessels can cause boat accidents, too. When boat owners allow passengers onboard an improperly functioning vessel, they may be responsible for the injuries that result from an accident.
- Boat Manufacturers
Design and manufacturing defects can cause boat accidents that are out of anyone but the manufacturer’s control, making them liable for the collision and the resulting injuries.
- Boat Rental Companies
Boat rentals are popular options for enjoying the water without the ongoing expense of purchasing and maintaining a boat. If the company in charge of a single boat or fleet rent a vessel that is not operating properly, which leads to an accident, they may be liable for the injuries that occurred.
Fort Mill & Greenville, South Carolina Boat Accident Attorneys Focusing on Your Full Recovery
Even if our boat accident lawyers in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC are representing clients from the same collision, their unique financial needs are going to differ.
You may require time away from work, and full-time medical care, for a head injury, while another passenger suffers from a broken arm and can be placed on restrictive work duty.
Your injuries will be unique, and so will the time it takes to heal when full recovery is possible.
Those details may include, but on not limited to:
- Complete medical care requirements
- Medical device and prescription costs
- Rehabilitation and therapy needs
- Current and future lost wages
- Partial or full disability
- Temporary or permanent disability
No two boating accident injuries are alike, and neither is our approach to pursuing financial recovery results from the negligent party’s insurance coverage.
We will speak with your medical professionals to understand your current, ongoing, and future needs, so each detail is outlined to maximize your financial recovery.
Contact Our Fort Mill, Greenville & Rock Hill, SC Boat Accident Attorneys Today for a consultation.
If you have been injured in a boat accident in Fort Mill, Greenville & Rock Hill, SC, or have lost a loved one due to negligence on our waterways, contact our Greenville personal injury lawyers at the David W. Martin Law Group today at (803) 548-2468 to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.
