Boating Accident Lawyer
Serving West Virginia and Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions
What events are considered to be boat accidents?
Events such as capsizing, collisions, fire, disappearance, explosion, sinking, and crew going overboard.
Do I have to file a boating accident report?
Yes, if any of these things are true:
- Someone loses their life
- Someone is injured severely enough to require more treatment than just first aid
- The boat is lost
- The boat is damaged beyond $500 worth
There is a short time limit for filing boating accident reports. It is 48 hours if a person passes away within one day of the accident, or if a person must receive medical treatment beyond first aid. It is 10 days if there are no injuries, but just property damage is involved.
What is a personal watercraft (PWC)?
The U.S. Coast Guard makes this classification. It refers to vessels that use an inboard motor to operate a water jet pump, as the main way of moving the boat along. PWCs are designed to be driven by someone kneeling, standing, or sitting in the boat. Examples would be jet skis and Wave Runners. PWCs must follow the same rules that apply to other boats, and perhaps additional rules as well.
The insurance adjuster asked me to record a statement. Should I do that?
Absolutely not. There is no requirement that you do it, and it will certainly be used against you later if you do. The insurance adjuster may well be friendly, and may seem helpful, but remember that he or she works for the insurance company, not for you. So just give a courteous refusal, and ask for the adjuster’s name and phone number. You can say you’ll get back to them. Meanwhile, contact an experienced boating accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
What is Maritime Law?
It’s a group of laws, also called Admiralty Law, which govern how people and goods are transported over navigable waters. Navigable waters means any waterway which can transport people or goods between states and other countries. That waterway must be usable for interstate commerce. So if a boat accident occurs on navigable waters, it will fall within maritime jurisdiction. Maritime Law will then determine what claims may be filed and how they can be dealt with.
Please call or email experienced boating accident attorney Jim Leach if you or a loved one have been hurt in a boating accident. He will listen and assess your situation, and advise you as to your legal rights. Please schedule an initial consultation today.
Our boating accident attorneys represent boat accident victims throughout West Virginia and Southern Ohio including the communities of Belpre, Marietta, Parkersburg, Wheeling, Athens, Jackson, Vienna, Morgantown, Charleston, Huntington, Ravenswood and Ripley.
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