Charleston Sailboat Accident Lawyer
Sailboats are a terrific way of enjoying Charleston harbor as well as the many lakes and rivers that are in the South Carolina region. Charleston waters are often filled with all different types of sailboats including sloops, cutters, ketches, cat-ketches, yawls, schooners, and gaffers.
However, while sailboats may be an excellent way of enjoying the sights, hundreds of people are injured in sailboat accidents every year.
A sailboat accident lawyer at Howell Law Group is ready to assist you following a sailboat accident and is prepared to help you navigate the difficult claims process.
With decades of combined experience, our attorneys can help you receive the compensation for your sailboat injury.
Sail Boat Accident Liability
When a person is injured in a car accident they can generally bring a personal injury action under South Carolina’s personal injury law. However, when there is a sea-faring vessel issues of liability can be more complex because they involve maritime law.
This highlights the importance of having an experienced lawyer represent you in the event of an accident. Maritime laws can drastically limit a person’s ability to recover from an accident and resulting injury.
For a maritime injury claim, you must be able to prove that the accident occurred on navigable water and that the accident was related to an activity typically associated with maritime or sailboat activities.
Furthermore, a person will need to demonstrate that another person failed to use a reasonable amount of care and skill, and further that this failure was the cause of your injuries. Examples of actions that may constitute neglect include:
- Operating a sailboat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failing to stock the sailboat with life jackets
- Failing to seek appropriate licenses and permits
If you have been injured in a sailboat accident in or around Charleston, a sailboat accident attorney is prepared to help establish liability by conducting a thorough investigation, including working with experts, collecting accident reports, and conducting interviews with witnesses and other involved parties.
Common Causes of Sail Boat Accidents
The United States Coast Guard keeps track of boating accidents that occur throughout the country. In 2016, there were approximately 4,463 boating accidents. From these accidents, there were thousands of injuries and unfortunately hundreds of death. Some of the most common boating accidents and sailboat accidents are caused by:
- Operator inattention
- Improper lookout
- Operator inexperience
- Alcohol use
- Violating navigation rules
- Hazardous waters and weather conditions
These conditions caused a vast majority of sailboat accidents, however, other accidents were caused by collisions with other boats, and collisions with fixed objects, and due to water sports activities.
Compensation for Sail Boat Accidents
Anyone who has suffered an injury in a sailboat accident is not only required to prove how they were injured, but they are also required to prove their damages. At Howell Law Group we work closely with those injured in sailboat accidents to determine their injuries and the types of compensation they may deserve.
Our maritime attorneys have helped individuals and families recover for healthcare costs, medications, physical therapy, missed wages, as well as future medical costs and disability.
Meet with a Dedicated Charleston Sail Boat Accident Attorney Today
If you or someone you know has been injured in a sailboat accident, the Charleston sailboat accident lawyers at Howell Law Group are prepared to help you.
We are intimately familiar with the nuances and complexities of maritime injury claims and are prepared to utilize our experience and skill to help you secure compensation.