Before you talk to another boat accident injury attorney in Virginia, review this page and download our free consumer report on what to do after a boating accident.

by Kevin Duffan

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Member of Best Injury Law Firm (U.S. News, '13) - Car Accident Injuries, Medical Malpractice, Boat Accidents

You are probably here because you or a loved one was seriously hurt in a boat accident in Virginia. This page is meant to be a resource for you and was developed by experienced boat accident injury lawyers.

Watch these info videos about boating injuries and your legal rights

Frequently Asked Questions 

• When do I need to report a boating accident?
• What is the statute of limitations for filing a claim on a boat wreck?
• Can the driver of a boat who acts recklessly be held liable for causing a serious accident?
• Additional boat accident FAQs

Information on Why Boat Accidents are Such a Common Occurrence in Virginia 

With so many people in the Tidewater region utilizing the waters, the situation can become dangerous because many recreational boat operators have little training and there are many people who only enjoy the waters on the weekends, so they are not adept with all of the Coast Guard rules and regulations that come with recreational boating activities.

To make matters worse, it is quite common for alcohol to be consumed while boating. In Hampton Roads, drunk boating  (like DUI driving) and collisions between boats or boats and jet skis contribute greatly to the number of boating accidents that occur in Virginia each year.  

Boating accidents are known to occur in the following bodies of water:  
Appomattox River, Broadbay, Chesapeake Bay, Chincoteague Bay, Elizabeth River, Indian River, Intracoastal Waterway, James River, Kanawah Canal, Lafayette River, Lake Gaston, Lake Anna, North River, Pamunkey River, Patowmack Canal, Pocomoke River, Poquoson River, Potomac River, Rappahannock River, Roanoke River, Shenandoah River, and York River  

Here are some marinas where boats routinely dock and where fishermen routinely get bait and tackle:  
Virginia Beach: Rudee Inlet, Lynnhaven Inlet
Norfolk: Waterside Marina, Nauticus Marina, Little Creek Marinas
Portsmouth: Ocean Marine Yacht Center, Tidewater Yacht Marina, Portsmouth Boating Center, Scotts Creek Marina 
Hampton: Hampton Public Piers, Customs House Marina, Bluewater Yachting Center, Sunset Yachting Center and Dry Storage, Salt Ponds Marina Resort  

Some Virginia boat accidents occur due to defects or mechanical errors on the vessel itself. This is why it is important to know who manufacutured your boat. Here is a list of some popular boat manufacturers:  

Baja, Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Chaparral, Grady-White, Malibu, Mastercraft, Ranger , Sea Ray, Wellcraft, and Yamaha  

The boat accident injury attorneys at our law firm understand how serious boating accidents can be and the injuries that might be suffered by innocent victims. Unlike a car accident, where help from an ambulance and police can take a few minutes, a boat accident can leave an injured victim stranded in the open water for much longer periods of time making the injury even worse. We have seen instances of people suffering brain injuries, paralysis, and/or multiple broken bones in serious boat accidents. And that's if they the victim was fortunate enough to avoid drowning.    

Why You Should Consider Hiring a Boat Accident Injury Law Firm

Uncovering who is liable for your boat accident injury requires an investigation that is carried out by skilled and experienced investigators.  

Our law firm has experience in putting together the details after an accident has occurred. We are here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve after a Virginia boating accident.  

When a Virginia boating accident occurs, numerous agencies could get involved in the investigation, including: City Police, Coast Guard, County Policy, Game and Fisheries, Medical Examiner, and Virginia State Police  

If you are operating a personal watercraft, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) defines personal watercraft as Class A inboard boats, making your vehicle subject to the majority of rules and requirements other powerboats must follow. With the overlap in investigative bodies, recreational boating and personal watercraft accidents may be subject to different types of city, county and state laws. Often times, motor vehicle rules are applied to recreational boating accidents. This means negligence and fault are determined in similar ways. Depending on the body of water in which your injury occurred (e.g., navigable waterways), legal rights may differ considerably.

This is why you want to hire the best Virginia boat accident injury lawyer who understands how to sort through the web of various laws and work with these investigative bodies to get the pertinent information for you boat wreck injury claim.