Orangeburg Boat Accident Lawyer
Whether you are boating on a lake around Orangeburg or traveling to the coast for recreation on the water, it is essential to keep in mind that serious and deadly boat accidents can happen when operators are not careful. If you or a family member sustained injuries in a boat accident in South Carolina because of another party’s negligence, you could be eligible to file a claim for compensation. Contact our experienced Orangeburg boat accident lawyer for assistance.
Get the Facts About Orangeburg Boat Accidents
Boating accidents occur with more frequency than you might expect. Consider the following statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG):
- 5,265 boating accidents were logged by the U.S. Coast Guard in 2020 alone;
- In 2020, a total of 3,191 people sustained nonfatal injuries in boating accidents and 767 people were killed;
- Fatalities rate for boating accident rose by 25 percent between 2019 and 2020, and the total rate of accidents rose by more than 26 percent;
- 75 percent of boating accident deaths are drownings;
- Alcohol is the most common contributing factor in boat accidents and injuries;
- Motorboats are involved in about 46 percent of all boat accidents, while about 22 percent of reported accidents involve personal watercrafts;
- Motorboats, kayaks, and pontoons are the most commonly cited vessels involved in injuries and deaths; and
- 77 percent of boating accidents happen on vessels where the operator has not received safety training.
Common Orangeburg Boat Accidents Causes
What are some of the most common reasons that boat accidents happen? The USCG identifies the following frequent causes:
- Operator inattention;
- Operator inexperience;
- Improper lookout;
- Excessive speed;
- Machinery failure; and
- Alcohol consumption.
How to Seek Compensation After an Orangeburg Boat Accident
After a boat accident in South Carolina, it is important to seek advice from an experienced Orangeburg boating accident attorney who can help you with your claim. In many ways, boat accident cases are similar to other vehicle accident claims. In short, in order to seek compensation, you will likely need to prove that another party’s negligence resulted in your injuries, and that you sustained damages as a result of that party’s negligence.
To be eligible to file a boat accident lawsuit in South Carolina, you will need to be sure to file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out on your case. For most boating accident cases, the statute of limitations is three years. What this means is that you will have three years from the date of your accident to file a claim for financial compensation. The clock will start ticking on the date of the accident, and you will need to file your claim before the three-year clock runs out. If you fail to file your claim before the clock runs out, the claim will become time-barred under South Carolina law.
Contact The Stanley Law Group Today
If you or someone you love was injured in a boating accident in South Carolina, it is important to seek advice from an attorney who can help you to seek compensation. Contact an experienced Orangeburg boat accident lawyer to find out more about how The Stanley Law Group can assist you with your case.
