A boating accident can change everything in an instant, turning a calm day on the water into a moment of chaos. Regan Zambri Long’s award-winning Washington, DC boat accident lawyers bring nearly 200 years of combined experience to helping clients hold negligent operators, rental companies, and manufacturers accountable. Our board-certified attorneys guide you through every step of the legal process, protecting your rights and pursuing the full compensation you deserve.
We front all costs and work with accident reconstructionists, maritime investigators, and medical experts to build clear, evidence-based claims. Our attorneys handle every detail, from negotiating with insurers to preparing cases for trial when accountability is denied. With over 100 5 star Google reviews and two partners in the top 1% of trial lawyers in the nation, we bring the skill, resources, and determination needed to win.
Have you been injured in a boating accident in Washington, DC? We understand how traumatic that can be. Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will call you back personally. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there’s no fee unless we win your case.
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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 ensure that all parties responsible for the accident are held accountable. We will use the outcome of the investigation to make a claim against each liable party, ensuring that you receive the highest amount of compensation possible.
Liable parties for a boating accident include:
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Wrongful Death Settlement
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Wrongful Death Verdict
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Premises Liability Settlement
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Wrongful Death Verdict
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Medical Malpractice Settlement
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Personal Injury Settlement
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Car Accident Settlement
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 556 lives among 3,887 incidents in 2024 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:
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:
Unfortunately, many boating accident victims drown as a result of a crash or other problem that occurs. 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.
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 over $1 billion 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.
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 partners include attorneys board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and all six partners have been named to the Lawdragon’s 2025 list of the 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in the United States.
Three of our partners have been recognized as Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers for excellence across multiple practice areas, including medical malpractice, mass tort, product liability, and workers’ compensation. Salvatore Zambri has been named among the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, with two additional partners listed among the Top 100 Super Lawyers in the region.
The firm’s three named partners also hold Martindale-Hubbell AV ratings, reflecting the highest standards of professional excellence and ethical integrity.
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.
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.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a DC boating accident attorney.
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 secure 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 a crew member on a boat, ship, or other vessel covered by the Jones Act and have been injured on the job, contact Regan Zambri Long today. Our experienced DC boat accident lawyers can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Recovered damages greatly depend on the injuries you suffer from the accident and their severity. 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:
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:
Boating in Washington, DC, is regulated by several authorities, including the DC Harbor Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, and, in some cases, the National Park Service. Each agency enforces safety rules such as speed limits, life jacket requirements, and BUI laws. A DC boat accident lawyer can explain how these regulations may affect your case and whether violations by another party can be used to prove negligence.
In most personal injury cases in Washington, DC, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, certain maritime claims, including those under federal law, may have shorter deadlines. Because evidence disappears quickly in boating cases, it’s important to speak with a DC boat accident lawyer as soon as possible to make sure your claim is filed on time.
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) 978-4145 or contact us online today for a free initial consultation with a DC boat accident lawyer.
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.