Boating Accidents
If you've been hurt on the water, an attorney can help
Going out on the water is a great way for thousands of Georgia residents to cool down in the midst of a hot summer. Unfortunately, there's always the risk of being hurt in an accident. Because boating accidents often happen far from medical services, injuries can be aggravated and people's lives can be put at risk. That's why it's so important for boat owners, operators and manufacturers to make safety their top priority.
If someone else's negligence caused your injury, you have legal rights - and an experienced boating accident lawyer can help protect them. That's why you need Gary Martin Hays & Associates on your side. We have decades of experience helping people hurt in boating accidents recover the compensation they need.
Where did your accident happen?
We're based in Atlanta and help clients throughout Georgia. Some of the lakes where we've seen serious accidents happen include:
- Lake Allatoona
- Lake Blackshear
- Clarks Hill Lake
- Lake Eufala
- Lake Harding
- Lake Hartwell
- Lake Lanier
- Oconee Lake
- Richard B. Russell Lake
- Lake Seminole
- Lake Sinclair
- Weiss Lake
- West Point Lake
Any number of forms of negligence could have led to your injuries. You may have been hurt due to a boat operator's negligence, such as boating under the influence. Or your accident may have involved malfunctioning safety equipment on your boat, leading to a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
Boating accident cases can be complex, and evidence disappears quickly on the water. That's why you need to contact us right away. An experienced personal injury lawyer from our firm will carefully investigate your case and help you develop a winning legal strategy. We'll stand up to the insurance company and hold the person or company responsible for your injuries accountable. And we'll get you compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and other expenses.
Act now to protect your legal rights. Contact us right away for your free case evaluation. Remember, you don't pay us a cent until you win. Call 1-800-898-HAYS.
Boating Under The Influence
Safely operating a boat requires the operator to be alert, awake and attentive at all times. Hazards can emerge quickly on the water, and improperly handled boats can collide with obstacles or even capsize. That's why it's so dangerous when people use alcohol or drugs before getting on a boat or other watercraft.
Under Georgia law, boating under the influence (BUI) is treated similarly to driving under the influence (DUI), with the same legal limit for blood alcohol level and similar legal consequences. However, just because the person who hurt you was arrested for BUI doesn't mean you'll get fair compensation for your injuries. To hold them accountable for your negligence - and get your medical bills and other expenses paid - you need our firm on your side.
We'll carefully investigate your accident, interviewing witnesses and reviewing police reports for the evidence proving that a negligent boat operator caused your injuries. Depending on the circumstances, we may be able to pursue a "dram shop" case against the establishment that served alcohol to the operator in addition to the operator him- or herself. Our experienced attorneys will exhaust all possible options to get you the compensation you need. This may include punitive damages if the person who hurt you was particularly reckless. Contact us today for your free, confidential consultation.
Find a location near you