Seattle Boat Accident Attorneys

In some cases involving boating accidents, Washington state law will apply to the people involved. Boats are treated similarly to cars under Washington’s laws; it’s illegal to operate a boat under the influence, you must have a license in order to operate certain types of boat, and you are expected to keep your boat in good repair. Cases involving boating accidents on lakes and rivers will usually be covered under these laws.

In some cases, however, a boating accident will happen on land that is not subject to a state’s laws. These cases usually involve large ship disasters in open water or incidents at large ports subject to federal laws. In these cases, a maritime law called the Jones Act is in effect.

The Jones Act covers professional seamen while they work offshore; it also may apply to private citizens who are passengers on cruise ships and other private vessels. The Jones Act also covers some items in the ocean that aren’t technically boats, even if they’re considered a “vessel” for legal purposes. Workers on oil drilling rigs are covered under the Jones Act, and sometimes aircraft such as helicopters may be vessels subject to maritime law if they are flown over certain areas of the ocean.

Jones Act cases are held to a different standard of proof than most personal injury or worker’s compensation cases. Unlike most worker’s compensation cases, injured workers covered by the Jones Act can seek compensation both from the owner of a vessel and the company that employed them, even if those entities are not the same. It’s often difficult for an injured victim to figure out which laws apply to their case when they’re dealing with the aftermath of a boating accident. It’s a good idea to consult with a personal injury attorney in these cases, since maritime law can be complicated.

“Capsizings” and “Falls Overboard” accounted for 386 fatalities, nearly 60 percent of all reported boating fatalities. Nine out of every 10 of those victims drowned. “Collision with Another Vessel” was the most reported type of accident.

These accidents resulted in 1,366 injuries and accounted for nearly nine million dollars in property damage. Twenty-six children age 12 and under lost their lives while boating in 2001. 137 boaters died in the 40-49 age group category — the highest number reported for any age group.

People involved in boating accidents suffer a wide range of injuries including:

• Lower Back Injuries: Lower back injuries can range from general sprains and strains to torn ligaments or broken vertebrae. Getting a clear diagnosis of your injuries after an accident is crucial to building a strong case.
• Torn Ligaments: Ligament injuries can take a long time to materialize or become apparent. Certain types of imaging may not detect torn ligaments, so a thorough review of medical records and treatment recommendations is important. 
• Traumatic Brain Injury: Head and brain injuries are common in boating accidents because occupants’ heads can jolt and impact other stationary objects inside of the boat.
• Spinal Cord Injury: The violent motion of a boating accident can cause injuries to the spine or spinal cord. These injuries are very serious and can potentially lead to life-changing conditions such as paralysis or loss of function.
• Herniated & Bulging Discs: Discs provide critical support to the spine, but herniated or bulging discs are extremely painful and can make it difficult to walk or perform basic tasks.
• Pregnancy Complications: Pregnant mothers are extremely vulnerable in the event of a boat crash, and a serious collision can cause harm to a developing baby.
• Fractures & Broken Bones: Broken bones are often painful and may require expensive medical treatment, including surgery, in order to make a full recovery.
• Lacerations: Large cuts can result in significant blood loss, infection, permanent scarring, and other complications that can complicate the auto accident claims process.
• Burn Injuries: High-impact crashes may lead to a boat catching fire, and burn injuries can take a great deal of time to recover from – both physically and emotionally.
• Amputations: In extreme cases, accident victims may suffer injuries to an extremity that require amputation. Victims in these cases typically experience severe psychological and emotional trauma.
• Wrongful Death: Boating accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and family members who suffer the loss of a loved one may pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party.