If you were injured or lost a loved one in a boating accident, you need to act quickly to collect and preserve evidence. Otherwise it could be lost forever, along with any opportunity to hold the responsible parties accountable.
It can be tough to take steps to pursue a legal claim if you are severely injured or are suffering emotionally because a loved one was killed. That is why you need help from a Charlotte boating accident lawyer. The attorneys at The Nye Law Group have years of combined experience representing accident victims throughout Georgia and the Carolinas. We are prepared to handle all aspects of your claim, from the investigation, filing a claim, negotiating a settlement and taking your case to trial if necessary. We do not charge legal fees unless your claim ends in a favorable settlement or jury verdict.
Schedule your free legal consultation today by calling 855-856-4212.
Boating Accidents in North Carolina
Boating is a popular leisure activity in North Carolina. There are bodies of water all over the state, including Lake Norman, which is only 15 miles outside of uptown Charlotte. Lake Norman is the largest freshwater lake in the state. There is also Mountain Island Lake, a small body of water northwest of Charlotte that is perfect for many water recreation activities.
Unfortunately, from 2011 to 2015, there were an average of 146 boating accidents per year, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s (NCWRC) 2015 Report of Boating Accidents and Fatalities.
There were 166 boating accidents in 2015, the most since 2007. These accidents caused 25 deaths and injuries to 90 people.
Most fatalities were caused by three types of accidents:
- Falling or jumping overboard (8 accidents)
- Collision with an object (5 accidents)
- Collision with another vessel (4 accidents)
There were a wide variety of non-fatal accidents, including:
- 42 accidents involving a collision with another vessel
- 20 involving collisions with a fixed or floating object
- 20 involving a water skiing mishap
- 12 involving grounded vessels
- 8 involving capsizing
Other types of non-fatal accidents included falling overboard, being struck by a submerged object, fires, falls on the boat and being hit by a motor.
Our Charlotte boating accident lawyers are prepared to handle claims arising from these and many other types of boating accidents. Contact us today to discuss your claim and find out your legal options.
If you are entitled to compensation, we will work hard to build a strong case that gives you the best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve.
Complete our Free Case Evaluation form right now.
Causes of Boating Accidents
Boating accidents involve a variety of watercraft, from traditional boats large and small to many other types of watercraft, including:
- Kayaks
- Wakeboards
- Canoes
- Inflatable watercraft
- Jet skis
- Airboats
Accidents on the water are often caused by boat operator negligence. This can include:
- Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol
- Failing to pay attention
- Traveling at excessive speeds
- Boating in inclement weather
- Overloading the vessel
- Poor boat maintenance
- Making too sharp of a turn
- Operating in an area with impaired visibility
- Creating a wake behind the boat in a no-wake zone
- Violating boat operator laws
- Reckless operating of a boat in congested waters
Another potential cause of a boating accident is an inexperienced or improperly trained boat operator. North Carolina requires anyone under the age of 26 to complete a boating education course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. North Carolina law also prohibits anyone under the age of 14 from operating a wave runner, jet ski or personal watercraft.
Boating accidents can also be caused by equipment failure or defective products. This can lead to fires and explosions or cause watercraft to capsize.
Boating Accident Injuries
When these accidents do not result in death, victims may be left with severe, potentially life-altering injuries, which can include:
- Brain damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Contusions
- Lacerations
- Fractures
- Hypothermia
- Abrasions
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
Treating and managing these injuries can be very expensive. Filing a claim for compensation can help with some of the costs associated with your injuries, including:
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- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Ongoing care
- Physical therapy
- Assistive devices
- Pain and suffering
The Charlotte boating accident lawyers at The Nye Law Group are committed to obtaining all of the compensation you are entitled.
Contact our Charlotte personal injury lawyers today by calling 855-856-4212.
What to do After a Boating Accident
If you are involved in a boating accident, North Carolina law requires you to assist others involved in the accident to prevent them from drowning or to remove them from harm’s way.
The operators of any involved boats are required to notify the NCWRC about the accident within 48 hours if it resulted in death, injuries, a person’s disappearance or damage to a vessel of more than $2,000. You must provide details about the accident, including:
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- Date
- Time
- Location
- Names of people who disappeared or were injured or killed
- Name and registration number of the boat
- Names and addresses of owner and operator of the boat
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After notifying the appropriate agencies, contact our Charlotte boating accident lawyers to discuss your legal options. If you have been a victim of another’s negligence, we can begin a thorough investigation of the accident. This could include:
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- Researching the history of the boat and the operator to find out if there are any previous accidents
- Obtaining video footage of the accident if it exists
- Using the latest technology to reconstruct the accident
- Consulting experts to show when negligence occurred
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Contact our Charlotte boating accident lawyers today. Call 855-856-4212.
Contact Our Charlotte Boating Accident Lawyers
Managing a boating accident claim on your own is a lot to ask, particularly if you are dealing with a severe injury. It is tough to make sense of North Carolina’s complex laws and regulations and key pieces of evidence can be damaged or destroyed by the water.
That is why you need skilled legal representation from a Charlotte boating accident lawyer. Our attorneys can handle all aspects of your claim. We will make a detailed assessment of all the injuries and damages you suffered in the accident so we can pursue all of the compensation you deserve.
If we are unable to reach a settlement with insurance companies or other parties, we can file a lawsuit against the parties responsible for your accident.
Call our attorneys right now at 855-856-4212.
