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How to Sue for a Boating Accident Injury on Lake Murray, SC

Lake Murray is a popular destination for boaters near Columbia, SC. The lake is quite large and dotted with small islands. While Lake Murray can be beautiful, it is also dangerous. Boating accidents happen all the time, and those responsible should be held accountable.

If you are in a boating accident on Lake Murray, you should get help immediately. Call 911 or radio/signal for help. If possible, preserve information about the accident. Take photos or make mental notes to discuss with your lawyer later. An attorney can help you gather facts and evidence and file a formal complaint in court against those you believe are responsible for the accident.

Request a private, free case evaluation from our Columbia, SC personal injury attorneys by calling Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.

What Should You Do Following a Boating Accident on Lake Murray, SC?

After a boating accident on Lake Murray, you must seek rescue and medical care, as needed. After that, contact a lawyer to discuss how you can get financial compensation.

Call for Emergency Help

Boating accidents are especially dangerous because they take place on the water. Even if the boat does not completely sink, passengers may fall into the water, and drowning is a serious risk.

If you or someone with you has a cell phone, call 911 immediately. If nobody has a phone or your phone was lost in the water, radio or use emergency signals, like flares or horns, to signal other boaters for help. Go to the hospital immediately after being rescued.

Preserve Information and Evidence

Although a boat accident may constitute a severe emergency, it is a good idea to preserve whatever information or evidence you can. Take photos of the accident, including damage to your boat, the location of the accident, any other vessels involved, and boat operators. These details may play a significant role in determining fault for the accident.

Ask an Attorney for Help

Contact an experienced lawyer to discuss your boat accident. They should advise you on available legal options and which ones may work best for your case. They can also gather additional information and evidence, communicate with the investigating authorities, and assess your various damages.

Possible Damages and Injuries Involved in Boating Accident Lawsuits

Injuries can be severe in boat accident cases, and damages may be similarly significant. Our Lake Murray, SC personal injury attorneys will help you identify all your damages and determine their value.

Physical Injuries and Medical Expenses

Boating accidents can cause severe injuries. Passengers may be thrown from the boat and land on rocks, become entangled in debris, or hit the boat’s floor. Fractures, including back, head, and neck injuries, are common.

Other people may experience traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) if they have a near-drowning incident. The longer someone is underwater without oxygen before being revived, the more damage to their brain they may incur. Such injuries are extremely expensive to treat and often lead to lifelong complications.

Lost Wages

If your injuries make you miss time at work or cause a disability that makes it hard to return to full work capacity, you can get damages for your lost wages.

Damaged Property and Belongings

People often bring whatever supplies they need for the day on a boat. This can include expensive electronics, like cell phones or other communication devices, and various personal belongings. If you own the boat, it may be severely damaged, and repairs can be expensive. If the boat sinks, all property on board may be lost.

Pain and Suffering

Boating accidents, especially those involving serious injuries, can be traumatic and painful. Many victims live with painful injuries, long-term complications, and deep emotional distress. Those who experience near-drowning accidents may live with serious mental trauma for a long time. These painful experiences deserve substantial compensation.

Who Can You Sue for Damages After a Boating Accident?

Numerous people and parties may be responsible for a boating accident, and it can be difficult to determine whom to sue without asking a lawyer.

The Boat’s Owner

A good place to start is with the boat’s owner. This is important if the boat is rented or chartered. You may sue the company that provided you with the boat, as they have a responsibility to make sure the vessel is working safely.

If you were a passenger on the boat and someone you personally know owns it, you have the option of suing them for damages if they caused the accident.

The Boat’s Operator

Depending on how the accident happened, you can sue the person operating the boat. If the person operating the boat was negligent (e.g., going too fast, ignoring signs or safety warnings, going too close to rocks), they may be at fault, and you can sue them.

Another Boat Owner or Operator

In cases of collisions, the operator of the other boat might have been the negligent one, and you and everyone else injured in the accident may sue them. This is a common problem when people rent a boat without the skills or knowledge needed to operate it safely.

What Are Possible Injuries in Boating Accidents?

Possible injuries may include, but are not limited to…

  • Broken bones
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Brain damage from near-drowning accidents
  • Lacerations
  • Soft-tissue damage

What Might Cause a Boating Accident?

Boating accidents are often related to operator negligence, or the boat may be unsafe to operate because owners fail to maintain it. Common factors include alcohol, weather conditions, boat maintenance, and a general lack of knowledge or skill on the part of the boat operator.

Is Boating Insurance Required in South Carolina?

No. While insurance for recreational boats is strongly encouraged, South Carolina law does not require it. If you are injured in a boating accident, you might be disappointed to learn that the owner does not have insurance, and a lawsuit may be even more crucial to recover damages.

Ask Our Lake Murray, SC Personal Injury Attorneys to Review Your Case

Request a private, free case evaluation from our South Carolina personal injury attorneys by calling Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.

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Results

$11 Million
Confidential settlement regarding a father of three that was catastrophically injured at his workplace when he was the victim of negligent acts committed by a corporate defendant that placed him in danger.
Confidential settlement regarding a father of three that was catastrophically injured at his workplace when he was the victim of negligent acts committed by a corporate defendant that placed him in danger.
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