Boating Accident Attorney

Serving West Virginia and Ohio, including Parkersburg, Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington, Wheeling, Belpre, and Athens

Boat accidents can involve boats, ferries, ships, and personal watercraft such as jet skis and Wave Runners. There are thousands of people injured each year in boating accidents. In 2005, there were approximately 700 boating-related deaths in the United States, and of those killed, approximately 80% were not wearing their personal flotation devices at the time of the accident.

At the current time, there are almost 13 million boats and personal watercraft (PWC) registered in the United States. Unfortunately, the increasing popularity of boating has resulted in an increase in boating-related deaths and injuries.

There are laws that dictate how long you have to file a boating accident report after the accident actually occurs. The laws vary depending on whether or not injury/death was involved or whether property was damaged. There are also laws governing the age at which people can operate certain watercraft. The Ohio and West Virginia boating accident attorneys at Jan Dils & Jim Leach, Attorneys at Law will thoroughly analyze all the factors involved in your accident in order to make sure you are fairly compensated for your injuries.

Causes of Boat Accidents and Injuries

There are many causes of boating accidents, but the majority of them can be prevented. The main cause of boating accidents is operator inexperience/inattention. According to statistics, 84% of all boating deaths that occur happen where operators have not completed a boating safety education course. Other reasons include:

• Careless boat operation
• Unsafe speed
• No lookout
• Alcohol use

The majority of fatal accidents in small boats occur when the victims are not wearing their personal flotation device. Taking this small safety step can greatly minimize the seriousness of many of these accidents.

Most non-fatal accidents are caused by collisions with other boats or objects in the water. Remember that the rules of the water require that a lookout be posted at all times.

Drawing on his long experience as a trial attorney, Jim Leach gives the residents of West Virginia high-level service and individualized legal help. He regards each case as one-of-a-kind and starts out by listening carefully to your story. Once he has a grasp of your particular situation and needs, he can apply his knowledge of how insurance companies operate. Mr. Leach is familiar with how insurance companies assess the trial and settlement value of your case. With his associates, he uses a unique case management system to collect and organize all the important facts so that he can maximize your compensation.

For more information, please visit our page on Boating Accident Questions.

Please contact our West Virginia and Ohio boating accident attorneys today to schedule your free initial consultation. We represent boat accident victims throughout West Virginia and Southern Ohio including the communities of Charleston, Belpre, Parkersburg, Wheeling, Athens, Morgantown, and Huntington.