Myrtle Beach Boat Accident Lawyer
Recreational boating has become increasingly popular in the southeast, where many people come to visit South Carolina’s rivers, lakes, subtropical beaches, and sea islands. Unfortunately, with an increase in the number of boats on the state’s waterways has come a higher risk of being involved in a boating accident. The injuries sustained in boating accidents are often catastrophic, making it especially important for those whose injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence, to reach out to an experienced Myrtle Beach boat accident lawyer for help pursuing damages.
Boating Accident Causes
Boating accidents, like car crashes, can occur for a variety of reasons, most of which involve some sort of negligence, including:
- Inattention and a failure to maintain a proper lookout;
- Alcohol or drug use;
- Improper boat maintenance;
- Driving too fast;
- Failing to keep adequate safety equipment onboard (i.e. life jackets, flares, and fire extinguishers);
- Using the boat in unsafe weather conditions; and
- Capsizing a vessel by turning the wrong way into a wave.
While many boaters become complacent while driving on water, the reality is that these kinds of mistakes can prove deadly. A driver who failed to pay attention or who was intoxicated could, for instance, collide with an object or other watercraft, throwing others from the boat and into the water. If used in poor weather conditions, a boat could capsize, something that is even more deadly when a boat owner doesn’t have enough life vests on board. Falls overboard, drowning, and sustaining propeller-related injuries are all very real risks when a boat user is negligent.
Boat Accident Injuries
While boating accidents are less common than car accidents, they also tend to have more severe consequences when they do occur. Besides the risk of drowning, victims could also suffer from broken or crushed bones, lacerations, amputations, head trauma, and even electrocution. Burns from explosions and malfunctioning equipment are also not uncommon. Tragically, these injuries often prove to be fatal or result in permanent disability for the victim.
Liability for Boating Accidents
Who can be held liable for a boat accident, like with any other type of accident, will depend on the facts of the case in question. Operators who drive negligently, for instance, can expect to bear responsibility if someone is injured as a result, as can a boat’s owner. Marinas can also be held liable for boat accidents if they rented a vessel to an unqualified driver, or failed to keep its vessels properly maintained. Alternatively, a boat’s manufacturer could be required to compensate a victim if the boat’s improper design was the cause of an accident, or if equipment failure led to an injury.
Our Myrtle Beach Boat Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help
For help pursuing compensation after your own boating accident, reach out to an experienced Myrtle Beach boat accident lawyer at The Stanley Law Group today. You can set up a meeting with a member of our legal team by calling 803-799-4700, or by filling out an online contact form.
