Charlotte Boating Accident Attorneys

Serving Injured Boaters Across Mecklenburg County & All Surrounding Areas

North Carolina is filled with coastlines, lakes, and rivers that attract locals and vacationers alike. Along with swimming and jet skiing, many people like to enjoy boating on the waters. However, boating is associated with dangers that result in serious and even fatal accidents, many of them caused by inexperienced or reckless boat operators.

If you or a loved one has been recently injured in a boating accident, Jetton & Meredith, PLLC can help you recover your entitled compensation to pay for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, as well as pain and suffering you endured throughout the healing process. Our Charlotte boating accident lawyers can investigate the accident, collect evidence, and negotiate a proper settlement or obtain the most favorable outcome possible in the courtroom.

Understanding Boating Laws And Liability In North Carolina 

After a serious collision on the water, many people are unsure how boating laws differ from the rules that apply to car crashes on Charlotte roadways. North Carolina law sets out specific requirements for the safe operation of vessels, including age limits for certain types of watercraft, rules for life jacket use, and prohibitions on operating a boat while impaired. These laws are enforced on local lakes by officers with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and other agencies, and their reports often play a central role in determining who may be held financially responsible for your injuries. Understanding how these regulations apply to the facts of your case can help you make informed choices about insurance claims and potential lawsuits.

In many claims, liability may rest with more than one party, such as a negligent boat operator, the owner of the vessel, or even a rental company that failed to keep equipment in safe condition. An experienced legal team can review witness statements, photographs, maintenance records, and law enforcement findings to identify all potential sources of recovery under North Carolina negligence principles. If alcohol was involved and a criminal boating under the influence charge is pending in Mecklenburg County, your civil case may proceed on a different timeline than the criminal matter, but the underlying evidence is often closely related. Coordinating your strategy across these issues with guidance from counsel who understands how BUI cases are handled in local courts can help protect both your legal rights and your long-term interests.

Common Types of Boating Accidents

According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, there were 35 fatalities involving boating accidents in 2018, which was the deadliest year for such accidents in the state in almost three decades. Not only did the number of boating-related deaths significantly increase by 169 percent from 2017 to 2018, but the total number of reported boating accidents also rose by 64 percent—from 117 accidents in 2017 to 192 in 2018.

The following are the most common causes of boating accidents:

• Intoxication – Alcohol or drug use can impair a boat operator’s mental and physical faculties, leading them to make reckless decisions or fail to properly react to dangerous conditions in the water.
• Inexperience – Operating a boat takes an ample amount of training and experience; however, operators who do not understand boating controls or follow safety regulations can be dangerous.
• Negligence – From operating a boat while talking to passengers or using a cellphone to ignoring the rules of the water or the weather conditions, knowingly boating in a reckless or careless manner can lead to serious accidents.
• Faulty equipment – Not only must boat owners be responsible for everyone on board their watercraft, but they must also make sure their vessel is in good shape. Failure to conduct regular maintenance or replace a faulty part can result in an accident.

Schedule a Consultation Today

Boating accidents can be complex, which is why you need to hire an experienced firm with a proven track record of success. Our Charlotte boating accident attorneys provide each client with unique and personalized legal representation, because we know every case is different and requires special attention. We are committed to maximizing your entitled compensation and making sure you are completely satisfied with the results.