Boating Injury Accident Attorney in Columbia

Boating is a way of life for South Carolinians across the state. From Lake Murray near Columbia to the rivers and creeks near the coast, responsible boaters enjoy boating every day. While the pastime is often practiced responsibly, boats carry significant risks. If accidents occur, one of our Columbia Boating Accident Lawyers from Strom Law Firm will be here to help.

In 2018, the Coast Guard counted 4,145 accidents in the US, resulting in 633 deaths, 2,511 injuries, and approximately 46 million dollars of damage to property, all resulting from recreational boating accidents. Many of these accidents involved the use of drugs or alcohol.

If you or a loved one were involved in a boating or any other watercraft accident, the skilled and experienced personal injury attorneys at Strom Law Firm’s Columbia location are available to assist you in recovering compensation. Call 803-252-4800 for a free consultation.

Common Boating Accident Injuries

Boating accidents often cause serious personal injury and, death. The US Coast Guard reports that South Carolina’s most common cause of death in a boat accident is drowning after being thrown overboard.

Away from the coast, South Carolina’s Department of Natural Resources usually responds to accidents and conducts investigations involving catastrophic injury or death caused by a boating accident. Other significant injuries in a boat accident that a Columbia boater might suffer from a boating accident include:

• Spinal cord injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• Broken bones
• Neck Injuries
• Burns
• Hypothermia
• Amputations and Lacerations
• Catastrophic Injuries

Who Can Be Held Accountable for Injuries Suffered in Boat Crashes?

Boaters are often found liable for causing personal injury and deaths in a Columbia boat accident. Examples of when boat operators are at fault include:

• The operator was inattentive due to his phone and the other people on the boat.
• The vessel had mechanical issues that the operator or owner ignored.
• The boater was intoxicated during the accident.
• The boater was moving too fast, causing the accident.
• Boaters who are inexperienced.

Types of Compensation After A Boating Accident

Compensation that might be recovered following injuries in a boat accident is similar to those recoverable after any other accident. Potential compensation, which Columbia boating accident lawyers can help in recovering, includes reimbursement for:

• medical costs
• costs associated with a permanent disability
• pain and suffering
• lost wages and income
• loss of consortium
• loss of future earning capacity

How do Columbia Boating Accident Lawyers  Recover Compensation After A Boating Accident

South Carolina does not require boat operators to carry insurance. However, every boat operator or owner should certainly carry liability insurance in case of an accident.

Moreover, if you suffered injuries in a boat accident, sometimes your own health insurance company might refuse to pay for your medical expenses if the injuries fall into a gap in your coverage.
It can be beneficial to seek and retain an accident lawyer if you are hurt in a boating accident. Attorneys can help protect you from boat operators and large insurance companies intentionally avoiding payment of claims.

Do I Need Columbia Boating Accident Lawyers For My Boating Accident?

Hiring the Columbia boating accident lawyers at Strom Law Firm will not cost you anything until we collect compensation for your injuries. We generally operate on a payment method called a “contingent fees.” These fees mean that we only get paid if you get paid.

After securing compensation on your behalf, we generally collect a set percentage of your settlement or judgment, which is set forth in a contract at the start of representation, as well as payment for any costs we may have extended during the case. Expenses pile up after a boating accident injury, and you do not need us adding to those expenses. Contact an attorney at our Columbia, SC office today to allow us to get to work for you as soon as possible.

How Strom Law Firm Can Assist You

• Accident Investigation: Gathering evidence, witness statements, and reconstructing the accident.
• Negotiating with Insurers: We deal with insurance companies to ensure fair compensation.
• Litigation: If a settlement cannot be reached, we’re prepared to advocate for you in court.

Frequently Asked Questions of Columbia Boating Accident Lawyers

1. What should I do immediately after a boating accident?
   • Ensure everyone’s safety, seek medical attention, report the accident to authorities, and collect contact information from all parties involved and witnesses.
2. Can I claim compensation if the accident was partly my fault?
   • Yes, South Carolina follows a comparative negligence rule. You can still recover damages as long as your fault does not exceed 50%.
3. How long do I have to file a boating accident lawsuit in SC?
   • Generally, you have three years from the date of the accident, but it’s crucial to act swiftly to preserve evidence.
4. What if the other boater was uninsured?
   • You might still have options through your insurance or through a lawsuit against the responsible party directly. We can explore all avenues for compensation.
5. Does maritime law apply to my boating accident?
   • It might, depending on where the accident occurred. Maritime law could influence the case if it happened in navigable waters.

Contact our Columbia Boating Accident Lawyers Today

Don’t navigate the legal waters alone after a boating accident. If you have been injured in a boating accident or other watercraft accident, whether on Lake Murray or any of the waterways in the cities of Columbia, Chapin, or Lexington, or the counties of Richland, Irmo, or Lexington or anywhere else across South Carolina, contact us.

We offer free case evaluations and do not collect a fee unless we recover for you. Contact the experienced Columbia boating accident lawyers team at Strom Law Firm in Columbia at 803-252-4800 or visit our website to learn if our Columbia boating accident lawyers can help you.

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