Boating Accident Lawyers in Myrtle Beach, SC
If you have been injured on the water due to someone else’s negligence, the Myrtle Beach boating accident attorneys at Axelrod & Associates are here to help you recover the maximum compensation you are entitled to under SC law.
How common are boating accidents in Myrtle Beach, SC?
In an area surrounded by water and visited by millions of tourists each year, boating, fishing, and recreational watersports are a big deal. Deep-sea fishing, parasailing, water skiing, jet skis, speedboats, and other activities on the water result in injuries and deaths every year in the Myrtle Beach area.
If you have been involved in any kind of boating accident in the Myrtle Beach area, contact the Myrtle Beach boating accident lawyers at Axelrod and Associates immediately for a free consultation to find out whether you have a case and how we can help.
How a Myrtle Beach, SC Boating Accident Attorney Can Help You
Every year, there are boating accidents in Myrtle Beach on the ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Waccamaw River, and other local rivers and lakes. Some result in no injuries, some result in property damage only, but others result in injuries and deaths.
If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence on SC’s waterways, your boating accident attorney on the Axelrod team will:
- Help you to investigate the crash and determine liability, using experts when needed,
- Identify all individuals or companies who are liable for the accident and all sources of compensation for your injuries,
- Gather the evidence that you will need to prove liability and damages,
- Negotiate with the responsible parties or their insurance companies to settle your case for the full value of your claims,
- File a lawsuit as we continue to negotiate, gather evidence, and prepare your case for a possible trial, and
- Try your case to a jury if the responsible parties do not pay the full amount of your damages.
FAQ for Boating Accident Lawyers in Myrtle Beach, SC
If you have been injured in a boating crash or other accident on the water because of someone else’s negligence, you may have questions.
Below, we provide some general information, but you should contact a Myrtle Beach boating accident attorney immediately to discuss the specifics of your case and to find out what your options are.
How Common are Boating Accidents in the US?
According to the US Coast Guard’s recreational boating statistics report for 2020, there were 5265 recreational boating accidents in the US in that year alone, and that doesn’t include commercial boating accidents and injuries…
Out of those recreational boating accidents, there were 767 deaths, 3191 injuries, and approximately $62.5 million in property damage.
What Causes Boating Fatalities?
What causes boating fatalities? According to the US Coast Guard, the most common causes of death include:
- Drowning,
- Not wearing a lifejacket,
- Most boaters who drown are in a vessel less than 21 feet in length,
- About 1 in 5 fatal boating accidents involve alcohol as the leading factor,
- Most drowning deaths are on a vessel where the operator has not taken a boating safety class,
- Only approximately 1 in 5 of the deaths are on a vessel where the operator has received a nationally approved boating safety certificate, and
- A significant number of boating deaths and injuries involve a person hit by a propeller.
What Causes Boating Accidents?
The top five contributing factors for boating accidents are:
- Operator inattention,
- Failure to keep a proper lookout,
- Operator inexperience,
- Mechanical failures, and
- Excessive speed.
What are the Least Safe Boats?
The most common type of vessels involved in boating accidents are:
- Open motorboats,
- Personal watercraft, and
- Cabin motorboats.
The types of boats with the highest number of fatalities were:
- Open motorboats,
- Kayaks, and
- Canoes.
Can I Sue After a Boating Accident?
Can you sue after a boating accident? Is it like a car wreck?
The same rules of negligence apply to boat accidents that would apply to auto accidents – boat operators have a duty to operator their watercraft in a safe manner to protect others on the waterway, and they are liable for all damages that are caused by their negligence.
Who Do I Sue After a Boating Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of the boating accident, you may have a claim against:
- The driver of another boat who caused the accident,
- The driver of the boat that you were in if they negligently caused the accident,
- The owner of the boat if their negligence was the cause of the accident,
- The rental company if the boat was rented and their negligence contributed to the accident, or
- Third-party manufacturers of the boat, boat engine, or other equipment that caused the accident.
In some cases, you may be able to collect damages from multiple sources including your insurance policy and the insurance policies of the boat owner, rental company, or other boat operators.
Got Axelrod?
Your Myrtle Beach boating accident attorney at Axelrod and Associates will investigate the accident and help you to get compensation from the negligent party or their insurance company, whether that means a settlement or a jury trial.
Schedule a free consultation with a Myrtle Beach boating accident lawyer on the Axelrod team today. Call us at 843-353-3449 or fill out our contact form to set up a free initial consultation about your case.