Charleston Charter Boat Accident Lawyer
Charter boats are vessels that can be either leased or rented for a wide variety of activities. Charter boats are popular for fishing enthusiasts and tourists who want to enjoy the Charleston region. However, many people are injured in charter boat accidents and suffer severe injuries while enjoying time aboard these vessels.
If you or someone you know has been injured on a charter boat, contact a Charleston charter boat accident lawyer today to explore your rights and help you recover compensation for your injuries.
Types of Charter Boats in Charleston
There are generally two types of charter boats, full service or bareboat charter boats.
Full-service charter boats involve leasing or renting a vessel that includes a crew as well as a master or a captain. On a full-service charter boat, the vessel’s owner is responsible for making sure that the boat is not only properly stocked and fueled, but also that the boat is fit for operating on the open waters, or that it is seaworthy.
Bareboat charter boats, on the other hand, are charter boats that do not come with a crew and or a captain. When a group of people or individual decides to rent a bareboat charter boat they usually operate the vessel on their own. In addition to operating the vessel, the group or individual is responsible for stocking the boat.
Common Charter Boat Accidents and Injuries
While chartering a boat may be an enjoyable pastime for fisherman and tourists, many are not aware of the dangers aboard charter boats and are unaware of the numerous accidents and injuries that occur aboard these vessels. Some of the most common charter boat accidents include:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Trip and fall accidents caused by uneven decks
- Falling overboard
- Machinery injuries
These accidents often lead to injuries including:
- Traumatic head injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Amputations by swinging doors and heavy machinery
The charter boat attorneys at Howell Law Group, LLC., understand the serious injuries you may be facing following a charter boat accident and are prepared to help you understand your rights, as well as help you navigate the difficult maritime injury claims process.
Determining Liability in a Charter Boat Accident
As discussed above, there are generally two types of charter boats, and depending on the type of boat a passenger is injured is on can impact their ability to recover compensation.
On a full-service charter boat the ship’s owner is responsible for ensuring the boat is seaworthy which means that in the event a person is injured because the charter boat captain or a member of their crew is negligent, a passenger may be able to hold the ship captain and the vessel owner liable for an injury.
However, if a passenger is injured on a bareboat, issues of liability can be more complex because there are is often no crew or captain who is responsible for an accident or injury.
A dedicated and experienced charter boat accident attorney will help investigate the causes of an accident and will conduct a thorough investigation to help determine who is liable for a charter boat accident.
Consult with a Charleston Charter Boat Accident Attorney Today
With decades of experience, the maritime accident lawyers at Howell Law Group, LLC., have helped those injured in charter boat accidents recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life, as well as a monetary compensation for other losses related to a maritime accident.
If you or someone you know has suffered an injury on a charter boat, do not hesitate to talk to a Charleston charter boat accident lawyer today.