Maryland Boating Injuries Attorneys

Lawyers for Boat Accidents and Maritime Injuries in Baltimore, Maryland

With thousands of miles of shoreline, Maryland is a state where many people enjoy boating and other recreational water vehicles, such as jet skis. Even though spending time on the water can be relaxing and enjoyable, it can be risky. Boat and other recreational water vehicle accidents can occur, and they can lead to multiple types of serious injuries. In some cases, they can even be fatal. Injury victims and family members of people who have been killed in boat and other recreational water vehicle accidents will need to understand what they can do to address what happened and how a person who caused a boating injury can be held responsible.

At Silverman Thompson, we work with clients in Baltimore and throughout Maryland who have been affected by boating accidents and other accidents involving recreational water vehicles. We have handled a significant number of death matters (boating while intoxicated, bow riding, etc.) and injury (propeller, etc.) matters caused by boats and other recreational water vehicles. Our lawyers have years of experience handling complex personal injury and wrongful death claims. With our thorough knowledge of the laws in Maryland and the maritime laws that apply in these cases, we can help clients determine the best steps to take to recover compensation for the damages they have suffered.

Common Causes of Boat Accidents

There are many reasons why people may be injured in accidents that take place on the water. These accidents may involve:

• Collisions Between Vessels: When boats and other recreational water vehicles are operating at high speeds, or when operators are not fully paying attention, they can collide with other things. This can result in severe injuries to passengers.
• Collisions With Fixed Objects: Boats and other recreational water vehicles may strike docks, pilings, buoys, bridge supports, or other stationary structures. These accidents often take place at night or in other conditions involving poor visibility.
• Collisions With People in the Water: Swimmers, water skiers, or people who have fallen overboard can be struck by a boat or other recreational water vehicle. In cases where propellers strike people, they can cause death or catastrophic injuries.
• Capsizing: Overloaded boats and other recreational water vehicles, sudden shifts in weight, rough water conditions, or negligent operation can cause a vessel to flip. This may trap passengers and result in drowning.
• Running Aground: When a boat strikes land unexpectedly, passengers may be thrown from the vessel, or the hull may break apart.

Serious Injuries in Boat Accidents

The injuries that can occur in boating and other recreational water vehicle accidents have the potential to be severe or fatal. Passengers often have limited protection, and rescues can take longer on the water. The injuries that can occur in these situations include drowning, traumatic brain injuries from being thrown against part of a vessel, severe lacerations or amputations caused by boat propellers, or spinal cord injuries and blunt force trauma from a high-speed collision. People may be at higher risk of drowning if they do not have life preservers or other safety equipment. Some may also be at risk of hypothermia in cold water.

Why Boating Accidents Happen

Some of the most frequent causes of boating and other recreational water vehicle accidents include:

• Boating While Intoxicated: Just as alcohol or drug use can increase the risks of car accidents, people who operate boats and other recreational water vehicles while intoxicated will be more likely to be involved in accidents. Drunk boating is a common cause of serious or fatal accidents. Operators who are intoxicated may experience delayed reaction times and reduced physical coordination that can affect their ability to operate a boat safely. They will also be more likely to engage in dangerous maneuvers that could lead to collisions or other types of accidents.
• Operator Error: Boat captains or others who operate recreational water vehicles may be inexperienced, and they may not understand how to judge speed or distance correctly or how to maneuver and avoid collisions. Other mistakes may include operating at an excessive speed, failing to watch for swimmers or other vessels, or taking other reckless actions that put others at risk of harm.
• Bow Riding: Allowing passengers to sit or ride on the bow of a moving boat can be dangerous, and it is illegal in many circumstances. A sudden turn or an unexpected wake can throw a rider into the water, putting them at risk of drowning or being struck by a boat or propeller.
• Missing or Malfunctioning Safety Equipment: When passengers do not have access to life jackets or other flotation devices, they may be at risk of drowning. Other equipment on a boat or other recreational water vehicle that is not functioning correctly could increase the risks of a boat accident or turn a survivable accident into a fatal one.

Under Maryland law, boat and other recreational water vehicle operators are required to follow safe practices, and violations of these laws can serve as strong evidence of negligence in a wrongful death claim. Maryland's water safety statutes, found in the Natural Resources Article of the Maryland Code, address matters such as reckless operation, boating while intoxicated, and equipment requirements for vessels operating on state waters.

Maritime Law and Boating Accident Claims

In many cases, boat accidents are governed by Maryland law. Boat operators or others who fail to follow safe boating practices as required under Maryland's boating safety statutes may be held liable for causing accidents and injuring others. However, boat accidents are sometimes governed by maritime law, including when they occur in certain parts of the Chesapeake Bay or other waterways that fall under federal maritime jurisdiction.

Our lawyers have experience handling boat accident and other recreational water vehicle accident cases that involve state laws or maritime law. We can work with clients to determine the best steps to take to recover compensation from the person or parties who were responsible for boat accidents. Our goal is to help our clients obtain the resources they need to make a full recovery and address the harm they have suffered.

Contact Our Baltimore, MD Boat Accident Lawyers

When serious boating accidents take place in the Baltimore area or elsewhere in Maryland, the lawyers at Silverman Thompson can provide effective legal representation for victims and their families. We will investigate the circumstances of an accident to determine how it happened and who was responsible. We will provide the compassionate representation clients need to address the harm they have suffered and obtain the financial compensation they deserve. Contact our Baltimore, Maryland boating accident attorneys at 410-385-2225 to schedule a free consultation.