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Phone: 1-757-460-7776

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TOLL FREE: 800-752-0042

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Hurt in a Boating Accident? A Virginia Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help

Kevin Duffan
by Kevin Duffan
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Kevin is a Virginia injury attorney who handles car accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, etc.
Virginia features a vibrant community of boaters who take advantage of the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, New River, James River, Elizabeth River, Smith Mountain Lake, Lake Gaston, Lake Smith and the dozens of other inviting waterways in the Commonwealth. But with that large number of boaters and personal watercraft users comes a rate of boating accidents that is higher in Virginia than that in other states. In fact, 102 boat accidents occurred in Virginia during 2010, with 14 of those resulting in the loss of life.

Accidents on the water can also cause severe injuries that present victims with medical bills, lost wages and, sometimes, permanent disabilities. Attorneys at our Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA-based personal injury law firm understand how to handle claims arising from serious boat accidents, as well as accidents involving a PWC like a Jet Ski, WaveRunner or Sea-Doo.

The major causes of boating accidents are becoming distracted while at the wheel, operating recklessly, speeding, allowing passengers or skiers to behave irresponsibly, and drinking alcohol to excess. Such actions constitute negligence on the water and routinely cause boats to capsize or collide, which results in flooding, fire and explosion. Further, when boat operators are careless, skiers might be hit by propellers or the vessels towing them. In addition, passengers could be knocked overboard. There are also the risk from poorly designed boats and defective boat equipment. Boat defects can give rise to claims against manufacturers.

Our Virginia injury law firm understands how to properly investigate a boat accident on a VA waterway and how to evaluate a boat accident injury claim. Questions we will seek to answer include
If the at-fault individual was operating a personal watercraft, then we will seek answers to these questions:
  • Was the at-fault operator speeding or weaving across the water recklessly?
  • Was the at-fault operator following another vessel too closely?
  • Did the at-fault operator cross the path of another vessel?

These are only a few of the questions and issues that may require detailed investigation and review by our Virginia boat accident injury lawyers. To learn more about Virginia boat accidents and what laws may apply, check out this article.

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About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia (VA) injury law firm whose attorneys focus exclusively on personal injury and accident law. We have a proven track record in the court room, and you can review our case results to see for yourself. We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in VA if you've been seriously hurt by the carelessness of another person or company.

Virginia injury lawyers Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been recognized as among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Shapiro and Lewis have also been selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009. Rick, Jim and Randy have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law (Jim since '06, Rick since '10, and Randy since '12). This is a prestigious recognition that only 5 percent of lawyers receive.

We were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our Virginia Beach accident injury firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill. 

We also offer free special reports and edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard blog sites as a public information service.

Our attorneys have deep roots in Virginia and handle cases throughout the commonwealth including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton and Suffolk, VA. 

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential consultations, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to the high call volume, please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you shortly. 

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