Washington, DC Boat Accident Lawyer

A Washington, DC boat accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long knows that when negligent boaters shatter lives, victims need aggressive legal representation. The devastating injuries from boat accidents – from drownings to traumatic brain injuries – can destroy families and drain bank accounts. Our boating accident attorneys won’t let insurance companies deny your claim.

Time is critical in boat accident cases. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and insurance companies work to minimize your claim from day one. Our experienced legal team will launch an immediate investigation, document everything, and build an ironclad case for maximum damages. While you focus on healing, we’ll fight relentlessly to hold those responsible accountable. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win. Contact Regan Zambri Long today to speak with our experienced boat accident lawyer.

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Why Choose Our DC Boating Accident Attorney

At Regan Zambri Long, we are committed to providing exceptional legal services to individuals suffering from the pain and stress of an injury. As Washington, DC personal injury lawyers, we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for injury clients throughout the DC Metro area.

With over 30 years of experience, our law firm has established a reputation for pursuing legal excellence. As a client of a DC boat accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long, we will fight for your rights from start to finish. We will do everything in our power to secure the maximum compensation you need to pay for injury-related expenses, such as medical care, physical therapy, and lost income.

$77M Wrongful Death Settlement

$20M Brain Injury Verdict

$19.5M Wrongful Death Verdict

$16M Premises Liability Settlement

$15.2M Wrongful Death Settlement

$15.2M Wrongful Death Verdict

$15M Medical Malpractice Settlement

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Our experience and accolades speak volumes. We have received recognition from some of the most esteemed legal organizations in the country for our work in personal injury law. Our three named partners have been board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. We are routinely named to the Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers lists.

If you’ve been injured in a boating accident, hiring a personal injury lawyer is essential to understanding maritime laws and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

Dangerous Powerboat Overloaded with Passengers, Boating Accident

Liability in DC Boating Accidents

Determining liability in a boating accident is not as simple as pointing fingers at the boat operator. While they could be a direct cause of the accident, other variables could have contributed to the collision or incident. A DC boat accident lawyer is experienced in investigating these variables.

Our boat accident lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to make sure all parties responsible for the accident are held accountable. We will use the outcome of the investigation to make a claim against each party that is liable, ensuring that you receive the highest amount of compensation possible.

Liable parties for a boating accident include:

The boat operator, if they were negligent while operating the boat.
A passenger or several passengers, if they were acting in a reckless manner that led to the accident.
The owner of the boat, if they let an inexperienced person operate or borrow it without proper supervision or training.
The boating manufacturer if there was a mechanical failure that led to the accident.
The rental company, if the boat was not properly fixed or maintained before renting it out to customers.

Common Causes of Boating Accidents in DC

Washington, DC’s waterways – particularly the Potomac River – offer residents endless boating and water sports opportunities. While the Potomac, Anacostia River, and Rock Creek provide scenic venues for canoeing, kayaking, and jet skiing across the DC metro area, they can also be sites of devastating boat accidents.

U.S. Coast Guard data shows that recreational boating accidents claimed 564 lives among 3,844 incidents in 2023 alone. Understanding the leading causes of these accidents is crucial for preventing tragedy on DC’s waterways. Here are the top factors behind boating accidents:

Reckless or negligent operation: U.S. Maritime laws prohibit anyone from operating a motorboat, sailboat, surfboard, water skis, or jet skis in a negligent way that could endanger any person’s life, limb, or property.
Distracted boat operators: Just like a car driver, a boat driver needs to focus on the task at hand—getting the boat from one location to another as safely as possible. If the boat operator is distracted by their cell phones, eating or drinking, or even looking at a map, it takes their eyes off the water and can lead to an accident.
Bad weather: Heavy wind, rain, and fog can affect the operator’s ability to see and steer the boat. When caught in unexpected weather conditions, boat operators and passengers can cause catastrophic accidents. High winds can cause treacherous waters, and all boat operators and passengers should thoroughly prepare for bad weather before they board.
Mechanical defects: If the boat has a problem, there is a chance of an accident. If the boat’s engine fails or the steering system malfunctions, it can lead to a devastating collision. Other defects include electrical issues, cooling system defects, or fuel system failures.
Excessive speed: We should all know by now that speeding is dangerous, whether it is a vehicle on a road or a vehicle in the water. If a boat operator goes too fast, they can lose control of the boat and crash into another watercraft. Moving safely will help the captain and passengers see swimmers, other boaters, jet skiers, and hazards in the water.
Alcohol and drug impairment: DC law prohibits operating a watercraft – motorboat, sailboat, jet ski, etc. – while impaired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You cannot drive a boat if you have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08. If caught boating under the influence (BUI), the penalty can be up to $10,000 and a year in jail.
Inexperience: If the boat operator doesn’t have experience driving, it can greatly increase the risk of an accident. They could not handle the vessel in unexpected weather, large waves, or turbulent waters. Before you get on a boat, ask the operator the level of experience they have to make sure you are as safe as possible.
Collisions: Accidents can occur when a boat crashes into another watercraft or a fixed hazard in the water, such as docks or buoys. The more experience the boat operator has, the better they can navigate obstacles and traffic in the water.

Common Types of Injuries in DC Boating Accidents

Boating accident injuries can range from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries. Not only do the operator and passengers risk colliding with another vessel, which alone can cause damage, but they also face the danger of being thrown from the vessel into the water.

The most common injuries boating accident victims face are:

Traumatic brain injuries
Lacerations
Burns
Broken bones
Spinal cord injuries
Dislocation or fractures
Amputation
Internal bleeding
Organ damage
Electrocution
Carbon monoxide poisoning

Unfortunately, many boating accident victims drown as a result of a crash or other problem that occurs. U.S. Coast Guard data has found that 75% of boating accident fatalities in Washington, DC, were due to drowning in 2023. When this happens, the boating accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long are here to offer even the slightest consolation in the form of justice and compensation.

Regan Zambri Long deeply understands the grief you and your family are going through following the death of a loved one due to a boating accident. We know we’re coming into your life at the worst possible time, so we will work tirelessly to secure the maximum amount of compensation as quickly as possible so you and your family can continue the grieving process and begin to move forward with your lives.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Boating Accidents in Washington, DC

What is the Jones Act, and does it affect my boating accident claim?

Since seamen are not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under either state or federal law, the Jones Act allows injured seamen to sue their employer for negligence. The Jones Act states that a seaman’s employer must provide a reasonably safe place to work and keep the water vessel in safe conditions for the seamen at all times.

To recover damages, the injured seaman must prove that the water vessel’s owner, the ship’s captain, or a crew member was negligent and that their negligence directly caused the injury. If you are part of a crew on a boat, ship, or other water vessel protected under The Jones Act and were injured on the job, contact Regan Zambri Long today to speak with a DC boat accident lawyer to help you secure compensation for your injuries.

What damages are available following a DC boat accident?

Recovered damages greatly depend on the injuries you suffer from the accident and how severe they are. Of course, your Regan Zambri Long DC boat accident lawyer will work to secure the maximum amount so you can focus entirely on healing rather than any financial distress from the accident. The damages your DC boat accident lawyer will work to recover are:

Medical expenses (current and projected)
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Property damage
Pain and suffering

What steps should I take after getting into a boating accident?

Getting into a boating accident is scary and extremely stressful. The first and most important thing to do after being involved in a boating accident is to make sure you and all your passengers are completely safe. If your cell phone works, you can call 911 from the boat to report the accident and any injuries that need immediate medical attention. You can also signal for help with distress signals approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Once your immediate medical needs are taken care of, you can start the process of documenting the accident. This will help your DC boat accident lawyer with your claim moving forward. If you can, collect the following:

Police report or Coast Guard report of the accident
Eye witness testimonies
Medical records of your injuries from the accident
Any documentation that states you need ongoing medical treatment for the injuries you suffered from the accident
Photos and videos of your boat and the other boat involved

Contact a Washington, DC Boat Accident Lawyer Today

If someone else’s negligence caused your severe injuries or a loved one’s wrongful death, then contact a DC boat accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long PLLC. Our team is here to provide the information you need to make well-informed decisions. We can guide you through the entire claims process and stay by your side so you never become overwhelmed.

In an effort to better meet the time-sensitive needs of our clients, we make ourselves readily available during all hours. We represent clients in Washington, DC as well as Maryland and Virginia. We are here to help you through this difficult time in your life. Call (202) 960-4596 or contact us online today for a free initial consultation with a DC boat accident lawyer.

Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Lawyers, PLLC
1919 M St NW Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 960-4667

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

Call 202-960-4596