There are plenty of places to go boating and enjoy other water-based leisure activities in Ohio, from Lake Erie to dozens of smaller lakes spread out across the state. Unfortunately, fun on the water can often be interrupted by accidents that cause serious injury and even death. If you suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a boating accident caused by negligence, our Columbus boat accident lawyers want to hear from you. We can review your claim in a free, no obligation consultation to inform you of your legal options. At O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, we always put the best interests of our clients first. Our accident attorneys will aggressively pursue maximum compensation and we will take your case to trial if necessary to achieve justice.
COMMON TYPES AND CAUSES OF BOATING ACCIDENTS
Our personal injury attorneys represent victims of many types of boating accidents, from collisions and drownings to water skiing and canoeing accidents. We also represent swimmers and people on boats who were injured by fires, slip and fall accidents, falling off a boat, or collisions with watercraft. These accidents are often caused by negligent boaters who were engaging in some type of reckless or unsafe behavior, such as:- Speeding
- Boating in bad weather
- Failing to have the proper safety equipment on the boat
- Having too much cargo or too many passengers on board
- Boating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Not paying attention
- Operating a boat without proper training
- Operating a boat with defective or malfunctioning parts
THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATING YOUR CLAIM
If you want to obtain compensation for injuries you suffered in a boating accident, you need a skilled attorney who can build a strong case in your favor. One of the most important parts of building a solid case is conducting a thorough investigation to get a clear idea of what happened in the accident. Our Columbus lawyers have the resources to do any or all of the following to investigate your boat accident claim:- Interviewing eye witnesses to the accident
- Obtaining any available video footage of the incident
- Using the latest technology to create an accurate reconstruction of the accident
- Investigating the accident scene
- Reviewing the accident with experts
- Reviewing the history of the boat operator and his or her credentials
TYPES OF COMPENSATION FOR BOATING ACCIDENT CLAIMS
Boating accidents can leave victims with many severe injuries, some of them life-altering, including:- Amputations
- Spinal cord damage
- Burns
- Electrocution injuries
- Dislocations
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Broken bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal damage
- Property damage
- Medical expenses now and in the future
- Lost wages from missed time at work
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earning potential
- Wrongful death