San Francisco Boat Accident Lawyer

Injured in a Boating Accident in the Bay Area?

Boating is an American pastime that thousands of individuals and families enjoy in the San Francisco area. Sadly, many boaters are inexperienced, reckless, or drunk, and many are unaware of the countless dangers that are part of boating.

Boating accidents refer to any type of accident that happens on or with a boat or other water vehicle. Examples of boating accidents include two or more boats colliding, a boat capsizing, an individual falling overboard, a passenger falling on or below deck, manufacturing defects, Jet Ski accidents or on-board fire.

The San Francisco boat accident attorneys at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP will immediately evaluate your injury claim and advise you how we can help you get the matter resolved with regard to fair and full compensation for damages.

Call our firm today at (888) 831-8448 for a free consultation!

Common Causes of Boat Accidents

Weather, training, experience, location, size of the boat as well as number of people on board can all play a significant role in boating accidents. The danger that innocent people face is compounded by the possibility of the impact resulting in the victim being underwater. This leads to the potential of drowning or the brain being starved for oxygen, and serious and permanent brain damage.

Additionally, if rescue personnel are unable to get to victims of a boating accident in time, victims can be left with catastrophic injuries or in the worst case, a wrongful death will occur. Jet-skis, motorboats and all types of watercraft pose a serious danger to others on the water, especially if the operator is negligent.

Determining Fault for a Boating Accident

The laws covering boating accidents vary. They may be governed by state law, or federal maritime law, depending on a variety of factors, including the type of vessel and the location of the incident. Hence, it’s always best to check with a San Francisco boat accident lawyer who can advise you on the appropriate steps to take, and can advise you on the specific laws that may apply in your matter.

In most situations however, fundamental questions of negligence cover whether you may be entitled to damages when injuries occur as a result of a boating accident. Thus, it is important to determine whether the operator was negligent. Where collisions occur, one or both operators may be found responsible.

Other issues to consider include whether the vessel was properly maintained, all safety protocols were followed (were there life jackets for all passengers? Was the driver operating the boat safely?), and whether any third party may have been responsible for creating an unreasonably dangerous situation.

Who is at fault for a boat accident and may be held responsible may be a complicated legal analysis. As such, if you or a loved one has been injured on the water, it is important to contact the team at Bostwick & Peterson for help.

Help for Victims of Boating Accidents

If you or a loved one is the victim of a boating accident, get representation from a skilled and powerful lawyer at our firm right away. Our attorneys specialize in all aspects of personal injury law, and we are a member of The American Trial Lawyers Association and are listed among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers.