These can lead to accidents such as:

• Collisions involving vessels, or when a vessel collides with a stationary object such as a rock or marina. These collisions can lead to capsizing or a boat flipping over, passengers being thrown off the vessel, and damage to the boat’s hull. Such incidents frequently occur when there is a high density of boats on the water or when an inexperienced or intoxicated operator oversees the vessel. The driver of the vessel is, in many instances, responsible for the safety of their passengers.

• Accidents onboard such as slips, trips, and falls. Because boats don’t always stay level while moving, passengers are at an increased risk of slips, trips, and falls, including falling overboard.

• Drowning, especially if a person goes overboard into the water without any type of personal floatation device like a life jacket. Even if the person can swim, the water conditions may make it impossible for the person to stay above water or be rescued in time.

• High-speed accidents – collisions that can lead to traumatic brain injuries, such as with jet skis.

• Propellers running over a person that’s gone overboard and into or under the water. It happens quickly, and a person who is pulled under can be quickly maimed or killed by the running propeller blades.

Both tourists and locals enjoy spending weekends and holidays on the water throughout Georgia. But letting your guard down during vacation can lead to you being a victim of a boating accident.

What to Do If Involved in a Boating Accident In Georgia

Anytime you and your family or friends head out in a boat, you must also be prepared for an emergency and know how to respond should one happen. If it happens to you, take action:

1. Roll call. If the boat is afloat and intact, check to see if all of the passengers are on board and accounted for. If not, locate anyone who might have gone into the water and get them back into the boat immediately. If the boat is capsized, again do your best to locate and account for all passengers.

2. See if first aid is needed. There is a chance one or more passengers were injured in the accident, so start first aid now. If anyone suffered major injuries or cannot be located, contact emergency services and follow their instructions.

3. Do you need to move the boat? If the accident happened in an area with high traffic, especially much larger and oncoming vessels, you may need to move the boat for the safety of everyone involved.

4. Contact law enforcement if there are serious injuries, and/or extensive damage to one or more vessels.

5. Don’t leave the scene of the accident, or the spot where you’ve moved the boat, and wait for law enforcement to arrive.

6. Seek medical attention even afterwards. This includes everyone involved in the accident, even if they weren’t seriously injured. Like a car accident, injuries may not be evident initially. Immediate medical attention ensures that a doctor has a chance to check for injuries such as whiplash, concussion, or internal injuries, and treat as needed.

Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources has a website with resources for safe boating, including a free downloadable handbook on boating safety, laws and responsibilities. Georgia Boater’s Education is required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1998.

Speak to law enforcement when they arrive and offer only the facts. Don’t speak to the other parties or discuss fault with them. Take time to document the accident with:

• Pictures of the boats and their conditions, including the surroundings, and weather if applicable.

• Include information such as the boat registration numbers and insurance information

• Names and contact information of all involved parties, including any witnesses

• Ask if any of the parties or witnesses have any photos or video of the accident as it occurred

• Get contact information from the responding officers so that you can obtain their report later

Even if there is no need for a lawsuit, this information will come in handy for insurance claims.

Speak with us as soon as possible if you have been injured in a boating accident and you are wondering about getting proper compensation to help with medical bills, lost wages and other related damages.  We will discuss your legal options.

Georgia’s Statute Of Limitations Is Two Years

As with most personal injury cases, you will only have a two-year period to file your claim, from the date of the accident. If you’re filing a wrongful death claim for a loved one who died in a boating accident, the two-year statute begins on the date of their death. Unfortunately if you miss the two-year deadline, your case will be quickly dismissed.

Two years may seem like a lot of time, but building a case that fully encompasses all the financial impact that may result from the accident takes time too. As your attorney we will investigate the accident, review witness statements and police reports,  collect medical documentation and anything else needed to prove your claim.