If you or a loved one have been injured in an Atlanta, GA, boating accident, you could be entitled to compensation. Boat accidents can be traumatic events that leave victims with medical bills and financial hardships.
If someone else’s negligence caused your accident in Atlanta, Georgia, they could be responsible for all of your damages. The Atlanta boating accident attorneys at Spartan Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve after being injured in a boating accident.
We have over 75 years of combined experience fighting for Georgia accident victims. We have experience handling all types of personal injury cases and know how to get results for our clients.
Call us today at (844) 772-7826 to schedule a free consultation with an Atlanta boating accident lawyer.
How Spartan Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Boating Accident in Atlanta
If another party was responsible for your boating accident, you’re entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against them to recover all of your economic and non-economic damages in Atlanta, GA. However, getting the compensation you deserve can be difficult.
Hiring an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer is the best way to ensure you get the compensation you deserve and that all responsible parties are held accountable. Spartan Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers’s team of experienced Atlanta personal injury attorneys knows how to get results.
We’ve recovered over $250 million for our clients in settlements and verdicts. We understand how challenging personal injury cases can be and pride ourselves on providing every client with concierge-level service.
When you work with Spartan Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, you can trust that our Atlanta boating accident lawyers will:
- Investigate your case to determine all parties responsible for your boating accident
- Gather evidence to support your case – including accident reports, vessel maintenance records, accident photos and videos, and witness statements
- Review medical records, receipts, bills, and other documentation to calculate the value of your case
- Work with experts to support your claim
- File a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company and negotiate to ensure you get a fair settlement
- If necessary, file a lawsuit and represent you in court
- Defend you against claims of comparative negligence
- Keep you updated on the status of your case and all case developments
To learn more about how we can help you get financial compensation after an Atlanta boating accident, contact our team of Atlanta boating accident attorneys. We’re available 24/7 and can schedule a free evaluation to discuss your case.
How Common Are Boating Accidents in Georgia?
Coast Guard data reports that in 2023, there were 101 boating accidents, 16 boating-related deaths, and 58 injuries in Georgia.
Just miles from Atlanta at Lake Allatoona, there were 36 incidents of boating under the influence of alcohol, 12 boating accidents, and three drownings. Similarly, at Lake Lanier, there were 82 citations for boating under the influence of alcohol, 15 boating accidents, and 13 drownings.
Georgia is fortunate to have Atlantic coast access, and Atlanta has two popular lakes just miles away. Unfortunately, this also means an increase in boating accidents and injuries from boating incidents.
What Causes Most Georgia Boating Accidents?
Many different factors can cause boating accidents, especially in the crowded waters of lakes close to Atlanta.
Some of the most common causes of Atlanta boating accidents are:
- Operator error or inattention
- Operator inexperience
- Excessive speed
- Poor maintenance
- Defective equipment
- Striking underwater or stationary objects
- Operators being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. While most people understand the dangers of drinking and driving a car, many people don’t recognize how dangerous it can be to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol.
What Damages Can Accident Victims Recover After a Georgia Boating Accident?
After a boating accident, victims can recover compensatory damages from the liable party. Compensatory damages compensate victims for all losses and make them “whole” after an accident.
There are two categories of compensatory damages – economic and non-economic. Economic damages reimburse victims for tangible losses that can be documented and calculated. Non-economic damages compensate victims for more abstract losses – like decreased quality of life.
Some common damages awarded after Georgia boating accidents are:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Decreased earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish or emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Calculating damages can be difficult. Victims only have one opportunity to get compensation for their economic and personal losses. This means it’s really important to accurately calculate damages to ensure you can cover all current and future expenses.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will gather evidence, review documentation, and work with experts to calculate your current and future losses. Schedule a free consultation to discuss the damages you’re entitled to.
How Much Is My Atlanta Boating Accident Case Worth?
Boating accident cases are a type of personal injury claim. Every personal injury case is different, and the value of cases varies significantly based on the facts of each case.
The type and severity of your injuries have the biggest impact on the value of your case. The more severe your injuries, the more your case is worth.
Other factors that impact your case’s value are:
- Whether or not you sustained a permanent disability
- The impact your injuries have on your ability to work
- The impact your injuries have on your earning capacity
- Whether or not you were partly at fault for the accident
The best way to get an estimate of how much your case is worth is to meet with a boating accident lawyer. Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation. We’ll analyze your case and give you an estimate of how much your claim is worth.
Who Could Be Liable for My Georgia Boating Accident?
Our team will investigate your case to determine all parties liable for your accident.
Some of the most common parties liable for Georgia boating accidents are:
- Boat operators. If a boat operator’s negligence caused the accident, you can hold them liable for your damages. If the driver was under the influence of alcohol, driving too fast, driving recklessly, or not following the rules of the water, they could be held liable for their actions.
- Boat owners. Boat owners are responsible for ensuring that their boats are properly maintained, have all necessary safety equipment, and are safely operated.
- Boat manufacturers. If defective parts or a manufacturing defect caused the accident, the boat manufacturer could be liable.
- Rental companies. Rental companies must keep boats in good condition, provide necessary safety equipment, and properly train all boat operators.
- Other passengers. If a passenger’s reckless, negligent, or malicious conduct caused an accident, they can be held liable.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Partly at Fault for a Georgia Boating Accident?
Under Georgia’s comparative negligence laws, injured parties can recover damages if they’re not more than 49% at fault for an accident. However, whenever injured parties are at fault for an accident, damages are reduced by the proportion of their fault.
For example, if you have $100,000 in damages and are 20% at fault for an accident, you are only entitled to recover $80,000. If you incurred $100,000 in damages and are 55% at fault for a boating accident, you’re not entitled to recover anything.
Clients frequently ask whether they can recover damages if they’re partly at fault for an accident. It is a common practice for the responsible party – or their insurance company – to blame the victim for boating accidents. Accident victims need to be prepared for and ready to defend against this.
If you’re being blamed for a Georgia boating accident, contact a personal injury lawyer immediately to ensure your rights are protected.
Common Injuries After Boat Accidents
Boating accident injuries can range from minor to catastrophic.
Some common injuries we see from Georgia boating accidents are:
- Lacerations
- Electrical injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Broken bones
- Hypothermia
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
Unfortunately, some boating accidents result in drownings or fatal injuries. If you’ve lost a loved one in a boating accident, you can bring a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. These are difficult cases but offer a way to cover your expenses and ensure the responsible party is held accountable for their actions.
If you or a loved one were injured in a boating accident, contact an Atlanta Boating accident lawyer to discuss your rights.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Georgia Boating Accident?
The statute of limitations for Georgia personal injury claims is two years. In most cases, this means injured parties have two years from the date of their accident to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
If you don’t file a lawsuit by this deadline, your case will be dismissed, and you’ll lose your right to compensation.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Atlanta Boating Accident Lawyer
Boating accidents on the lakes close to Atlanta, GA, are increasingly common. If you or a family member have been injured in a boating accident, Spartan Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation with an Atlanta boating accident lawyer.
