An accident on the water is chaotic and frightening. The rules are unfamiliar, evidence disappears quickly, and injuries are often severe. When you’re facing this uncertainty, a Queens boating accident lawyer provides the clear guidance you need to understand your rights and hold the negligent operator accountable.
You don’t have to navigate these challenging legal waters alone. A boating accident attorney from the Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler understands these unique cases and is ready to fight for you. Call our team at (914) 220-1088 for a free, confidential discussion about your claim.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose Us for Your Boating Accident Claim
- Holding All Liable Parties Accountable
- Common Causes of Serious Boating Accidents in Queens
- Potential Compensation in a Boating Accident Claim
- FAQ for Queens Boating Accident Lawyer
- Your Anchor in the Storm
Why Choose Us for Your Boating Accident Claim
The Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler offers dedicated representation to victims of boating and watercraft accidents throughout Queens and its surrounding waterways. Our firm combines legal insight with a deep understanding of the local boating environment to build a powerful case for you.
We Know Queens Waterways
Our firm’s knowledge of the local maritime landscape greatly boosts your claim. We’re familiar with the unique characteristics and hazards in the busy channels of Jamaica Bay, which present challenges different from those of a collision in the more open waters near the Rockaways.
A boating incident might happen anywhere, from a crowded weekend in Flushing Bay to a fishing trip near Broad Channel. Vessels coming from the World’s Fair Marina or operating near the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge face distinct traffic patterns.
Our familiarity with the East River currents helps our Queens boating accident lawyers conduct a more effective investigation. We use this local insight to build a claim that reflects the reality of what happened to you on the water.
We Know How To Prove Negligence on the Water
Proving fault in a boating accident isn’t like a car crash case. There are no skid marks, traffic signals, or crosswalks. Evidence is easily lost to the current. A Queens boating accident lawyer from our team knows how to overcome these challenges to establish what really happened.
Our attorneys understand the "rules of the road" on the water and use them to prove the other operator violated their duty to keep you safe.
We Focus on the Full Impact of Your Injuries
The Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler pursues the maximum available compensation for your severe injuries and financial losses. We meticulously document the total impact the incident has had on your health, work, and life.
Let a skilled boat crash attorney in Queens handle your case; contact the Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler at (914) 220-1088 today.
Holding All Liable Parties Accountable
Identifying every responsible party is a complex task in the confusion after a boat crash. While the person operating the boat is often the main focus, other individuals or companies may also share legal fault.
A thorough investigation by a Queens boating accident lawyer helps uncover all sources of compensation. Our firm looks beyond the immediate circumstances to determine the root cause of your accident.
We explore every angle to make sure every negligent party is held accountable. This approach broadens your opportunities for a full financial recovery.
Claims Against Negligent Boat Operators
The boat’s operator, or captain, has the primary duty to keep passengers and others on the water safe. Most accidents are the result of basic operator errors. Our investigation focuses on proving these specific acts of negligence.
Some of the most common causes of boating accidents that we investigate include:
- Operator Inattention: The leading cause of boat crashes is that the operator is simply not paying attention to their surroundings, other vessels, or changing water conditions.
- Improper Lookout: Every operator must assign a lookout to help watch for hazards. We investigate whether this fundamental safety rule was followed.
- Operator Inexperience: Many boaters lack the proper training and experience to handle a vessel safely, especially in crowded waters or poor weather.
Liability of Boat Owners and Rental Companies
Sometimes, the person at fault isn’t the one driving the boat. If the boat’s owner allowed an inexperienced or intoxicated person to operate their vessel, the owner may be held liable for negligent entrustment. They have a duty to lend their boat out responsibly.
Boat rental companies and marinas also have duties to their customers. A Queens boat crash lawyer from our team examines whether the rental company provided a seaworthy vessel and proper safety equipment.
They also must provide adequate instructions to renters and aren’t supposed to rent to anyone who is visibly intoxicated. Failure to meet these standards may make them liable for your injuries.
Actions Against Other Liable Parties
Other parties might contribute to an unsafe environment on the water. Another boater’s large wake might cause a smaller vessel to capsize. A manufacturing defect in the boat or its engine may cause it to malfunction and crash. A marina may fail to maintain its docks, leading to a serious fall.
A skilled boating accident attorney in Queens pursues claims against any party whose negligence played a role in your injuries. We look at every possibility, from the actions of other boaters to the companies that built the vessel you were on.
Common Causes of Serious Boating Accidents in Queens
Recreational boating is a popular activity, but it comes with serious risks when people act carelessly. Accidents are rarely unavoidable. They’re typically caused by a clear violation of safety rules and a lack of respect for the dangers of the water.
An experienced Queens boating accident lawyer from our team knows how to investigate these common causes to build a strong claim for you. We focus on showing how a specific act of negligence led directly to your harm.
Intoxication on the Water (BWI)
Operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (BWI) is illegal and extremely dangerous. An intoxicated operator has impaired judgment, slower reaction times, and reduced coordination. Impairments are magnified on the water, where conditions are constantly changing.
Our boat crash attorneys act quickly to secure evidence of intoxication. We get the results of any breath or blood tests administered by the NYPD Harbor Unit or other law enforcement.
We find witnesses who were with the operator before the accident to testify about their alcohol consumption. Proving BWI is powerful evidence of recklessness that strengthens your claim for compensation.
Speeding and Reckless Operation
Boats don’t have brakes, so stopping or turning quickly is impossible, making speeding incredibly dangerous. Many areas have "no-wake zones" to protect smaller boats and prevent erosion, but reckless operators often ignore them.
We use GPS data from the boat or a cellphone to help prove the vessel’s speed at the time of the crash. Eyewitness testimony can help describe the conditions.
Equipment and Safety Violations
New York law requires all boats to carry specific safety equipment to prevent accidents and save lives when something goes wrong. When owners and operators fail to carry or maintain this gear, they put everyone at risk.
Some common equipment violations that lead to injury include:
- Insufficient Life Jackets: Every person on the vessel must have an accessible life jacket that fits.
- Lack of Fire Extinguishers: Boats need working fire extinguishers since engines and electrical systems create a fire risk.
- Missing Horns, Bells, or Navigation Lights: Sound signals and lights are necessary for communication between vessels and are critical for avoiding collisions, especially at night or in fog.
Potential Compensation in a Boating Accident Claim
An injury on the water creates a cascade of financial and personal losses. A successful legal claim seeks compensation for all of these damages. This recovery holds the at-fault parties financially responsible for the harm they caused.
Your Queens boating accident lawyer works to calculate the full value of your case, fighting for a result that addresses your past, present, and future needs. We assemble a detailed package of your losses to present to the insurance company or a jury.
Common damages include:
- Current and Future Medical Bills: This covers all costs for your medical care, including emergency transport from the scene, hospitalizations, surgeries, doctor visits, and prescription medications.
- Ongoing Rehabilitation Costs: This is compensation for long-term treatments like physical and occupational therapy necessary to help you regain function and mobility.
- Lost Income: This reimburses you for the salary, wages, and other benefits you missed while you couldn’t work during your recovery period.
- Diminished Earning Capacity: Should your injuries be permanent, hindering your ability to return to your previous employment or perform at the same capacity, you may receive compensation for the wages you’ll lose throughout your lifetime.
- Pain and Suffering: This is financial compensation for the physical pain, permanent scarring, and disfigurement caused by your injuries.
- Emotional Distress: This provides recovery for the significant psychological trauma from the accident, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and a lasting fear of the water.
FAQ for Queens Boating Accident Lawyer
Do Maritime Laws or New York State Laws Apply to My Case?
It depends on where the accident happened. Some of the waterways around Queens, like parts of the East River, are considered navigable waters, which means federal maritime law might apply. Other areas, like inland lakes, fall under New York State law.
The rules for proving fault and the deadlines for filing a claim are different under each set of laws, so having a lawyer who understands both greatly benefits your case.
What if I Were Injured on a Friend’s Boat?
Filing a claim against a friend is a difficult situation, but you’re usually not seeking payment from them directly. The claim is typically filed against the boat owner’s insurance policy. This insurance exists specifically to cover these types of accidents.
Your attorney handles all communications to manage the process professionally and reduce personal conflict.
What Should I Do if an Intoxicated Boat Operator Injured Me?
Your first priority is safety and medical attention. Then, report it to the proper authorities. For most incidents, a written report is required. You must submit the official New York Boating Accident Report Form within five days. For questions about the form, call the Marine Services Bureau at (518) 474-0445.
You should also contact the U.S. Coast Guard for serious incidents in federally controlled waters. If an accident results in environmental damage, such as a fuel or oil spill, it must be reported immediately. You can do this by calling the NYS Spill Hotline at 1-800-457-7362.
Then, contact a Queens boating accident lawyer. They’ll act quickly to preserve evidence of the operator’s intoxication and use it to build a powerful case against them.
What if a Jet Ski or Other Personal Watercraft Hurt Me?
The operators of jet skis and other personal watercraft must follow the same safety rules as all other boaters. Unfortunately, many operators of these crafts are inexperienced or reckless.
If you were injured by one, you can hold the operator accountable for their negligence with a personal injury claim, just as in an accident with a larger boat.
Am I Still Able to Recover Compensation if I Was Not Wearing a Life Jacket?
In most cases, you can still recover damages if you weren’t wearing a life jacket. While there are rules about having life jackets on board, an adult passenger isn’t always required to wear one.
The defense might try to argue you were partially at fault, but the primary cause of the accident is still the boat operator’s negligence. An experienced lawyer will fight back against these blame-shifting tactics.
Your Anchor in the Storm
The aftermath of a boating accident feels like being lost at sea. You're injured, facing mounting bills, and navigating a legal system with its own strange language and rules. You don’t need to find your way back to shore alone.
Let us be the anchor that gives you stability in this storm. Our firm provides the strength, knowledge, and steady hand to achieve a better horizon. Contact the Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler for a free and confidential case evaluation. Call us at (914) 220-1088 today.