Boating Accident
Fry | Goehring successfully helps the injured recover the compensation they deserve.
Cases We Handle
Personal Injury
Reliable Boat Accident Lawyers Ready to Help
Boat Accident Lawyers in Atlanta
Injured in a Boating Accident? Our Lawyers Can Help
Boating is a popular activity on the many lakes and rivers in the Atlanta area and region. On any given day, you can find hundreds of Atlantans enjoying their time on the water, cruising around Lake Lanier or fishing on the Chattahoochee.
However, this fun can take a tragic turn for those involved in boating accidents. Similar to car accidents, victims often suffer severe or even fatal injuries, making it crucial to know what steps to take if you or a loved one is injured in a boating accident.
At Fry | Goehring, we understand that these cases can be complex due to state boating laws and the multiple parties who may be liable. Our experienced boat accident attorneys in Atlanta can help determine whether you have a valid personal injury or wrongful death claim. If you have a case, we will handle your claim and fight to recover the compensation you deserve.
Call (404) 948-3571 today to speak with one of our skilled boat accident lawyers and explore your legal options.
Types of Boat Accidents
Boating accidents can happen in various ways, with the most common involving collisions with other vessels or stationary objects. Other incidents we handle include:
- Capsizing
- Fires and explosions
- Passenger falling overboard
- Flooding
No matter the circumstances, our experienced Atlanta boat accident lawyers will investigate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Boat Accidents in the Atlanta Area
Boating accidents can occur for various reasons. While circumstances may differ, the most common causes include:
- Operator error or inattention
- Operator inexperience
- Operating while intoxicated
- Mechanical failure
- Reckless behavior
- Speeding
- Adverse weather conditions
- Violating navigational rules
Operators who fail to exercise caution while operating their vessels may be held liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths resulting from an accident.
Risks Associated With Boat Accidents
Atlanta has many waterways and lakes, which are havens for boating enthusiasts. Lakes such as Lanier, Allatoona, Oconee, and others provide the perfect recreational fishing or boating spots. However, failure to observe navigational rules or exercise caution during such expeditions can lead to tragedy.
Due to the city’s abundance of waterways and lakes, the state of Georgia has put in place various laws to protect recreational boaters. For example, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources provides that individuals 16 years of age or older may operate any boat on Georgia waters, provided they have proper identification. The state also requires a Georgia Certificate of Boat Registration and a validation decal to operate your boat on public Georgia waters.
Despite the laws, boating accidents still happen. In 2022, Georgia recorded 103 boating accidents and 57 drownings. These incidents resulted in 69 injuries and 23 fatalities. Most of these incidents resulted from boating under the influence (BUI), as law enforcement recorded 305 BUIs.
Recoverable Damages Available After a Boat Accident
Victims of boating accidents may be entitled to compensation for injuries and financial losses caused by another party’s negligence. Depending on the circumstances, they can recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
These cover financial losses, including:
- Current and future medical expenses (medications, physical therapy, surgery, and other treatments)
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Assistive devices
- Rehabilitation costs
Non-Economic Damages
These compensate for intangible losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished quality of life
Our experienced Atlanta boat accident attorneys can evaluate your case and help you seek the maximum compensation for your Atlanta personal injury claim.
Determining Liability in a Boat Accident Case
Typically, the vessel’s operators are held liable when a boating accident occurs. However, that isn’t always the extent of liability for such accidents. Any other parties whose negligence or recklessness contributed to the accident may also be held responsible. Generally, the following parties may be held liable for an Atlanta boating accident:
- Boat operator
- Boat owner
- Boating company
- Boat manufacturer
- Boat passenger
- Lifeguard
Since any one or more parties may be held liable for a boating accident, our Atlanta attorneys can help evaluate your case and build a case to seek damages from all responsible parties. Specifically, we can help you establish liability in any of the following scenarios:
Recreational Boating Accident
Recreational vessels are the most common on Atlanta’s waterways and lakes, and most accidents likely involve these vessels. These vessels may include speedboats, small yachts, sailboats, fishing boats, catamarans, jet skis, and houseboats. Georgia boating state laws prohibit drivers or operators of such vessels from recklessly operating boats, as it is deemed a disregard for the safety of other persons or property.
Boat operators owe other people a duty of care to operate their boats in a manner not likely to cause harm to others. An operator found to be reckless, negligent, or boating under the influence and who causes a boating accident may be liable for the victim’s injury or losses.
Commercial Boating Accident
If you’re injured as a passenger on a commercial boat, such as a yacht, you might file a claim for damages against the boat company or owner. By establishing that the captain of a commercial boat failed to exercise utmost caution and caused an accident, the boating company or owner may be held responsible for any damages.
Boating Accidents Caused by a Company Employee
A boating company may also be held responsible for injuries or losses resulting from an employee’s actions. Employers are vicariously liable for any damages resulting from their employee’s actions and will likely be expected to cover the costs of another person’s injury or wrongful death. Boating companies may also be held directly liable if an accident occurs due to negligent hiring, which is usually true if they fail to properly train or supervise their employees.
Accidents Involving Defective Vessels or Equipment
Some boating accidents occur primarily due to defective vessels or equipment. When such accidents happen, you can bring legal action for damages against the boat manufacturer. For instance, a boat may sink or capsize due to a defect or malfunction. When this happens, the designer, manufacturer, or seller of such a defective product is strictly liable for damages resulting from using that defective product.
Since more than one party may be held liable in your boating accident case, Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule allows individuals to seek damages even if they contributed to the accident. However, parties that share 50 percent or more of the blame for an accident may not recover damages.
How Our Atlanta Boat Accident Lawyers Can Help You
If you have been injured in a boating accident, it is crucial to speak with an experienced Atlanta boat accident lawyer. Your attorney will evaluate your case to determine if you have a valid claim. At Fry | Goehring, our legal team can assist you by:
- Investigating your accident and building a strong case against the liable party.
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf.
- Taking your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to negotiate fairly.
- Representing you in court and advocating for a fair award for damages.
Pursuing a boating accident claim on your own puts you at a disadvantage against insurance companies and their legal teams. Having an experienced Atlanta boat accident lawyer on your side helps level the playing field, increasing your chances of securing fair compensation.
Contact an Experienced Boat Accident Lawyer Today
At Fry | Goehring, we believe you and your family shouldn’t have to endure the pain and financial hardship caused by a boating accident. Our experienced Atlanta boat accident lawyers are prepared to take your case to court if necessary to secure the compensation you deserve.
We will guide you through every step of the process to hold all liable parties accountable. Call us at (404) 969-1284 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
Our Values
What Our Work Means
- Our Firm is Dedicated to Giving Back to the Community We Serve
- We Communicate Effectively & Take the Time to Understand Your Pain
- Our Attorneys Are Backed by Over 20 Years of Legal Experience
Free Consultations Available
Contact Our Offices
Whether you have questions or you’re ready to get started, our legal team is ready to help. Complete our form below or call us at (404) 969-1284.
