Boating Accidents

Experienced representation for victims of boating accidents in Vancouver, WA

At Philbrook Law, our Vancouver boat accident lawyers hold boat owners and operators liable when they fail to follow the appropriate boating regulations and standard boat safety best practices. We represent injured riders and swimmers. We also represent families when a loved one drowns due to a boating accident.

Philbrook Law obtained $50,000 for a client who suffered a deep leg laceration and torn ankle limits due to a boating accident when a speedboat recklessly drove onto a Columbia River beach.

How do your lawyers handle boating accidents in Vancouver, WA?

Our Vancouver boat accident lawyers work with the US Coast Guard, our own investigators, and by thoroughly questioning everyone involved in the accident about what happened. We understand the state and local boating and PWC regulations that were violated. We also understand federal maritime law.

Our personal injury lawyers work with your doctors and our own independent doctors when necessary to fully assess your injuries, the type of medical care you’ll need, the cost of your medical care, your pain and suffering, and every way your injuries will affect your life.

We are skilled at negotiating personal injury claims with the insurance companies for the defendants. We’re always ready to try your case before a jury if the insurance company won’t make an appropriate settlement offer.

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Insurance companies don't hand out fair settlements, and we don't bluff - we're trial ready.

Tiffany HensonAttorney

Which waterways do people use in Vancouver and Battle Ground, WA?

Vancouver and Battle Ground are great places to enjoy boating and other water activities. Some of these rivers and lakes include:

• The Columbia River
• Willamette River
• Vancouver Lake
• Lacamas, Round, Fallen Leaf Lakes
• Battle Ground Lake
• Klineline Pond
• Horseshoe Lake
• Lake Merwin
• Yale Lake
• Swift Reservoir
• Merrill Lake

What types of boats and personal watercraft are used in Vancouver and Battle Ground, WA?

According to BoatUS, boat enthusiasts love following the Columbia River scenery as it winds and twists through Washington and Oregon where they can see waterfalls, forested cliffs, and snow-covered peaks.

Some of the many types of boats and personal watercraft (PWC) that operate or are in use on the local waterways include:

• Canoes
• Cruise boats and ships
• Fishing boats
• Houseboats
• Kayaks
• Pontoons
• Riverboats
• Sailboats

• Speedboats
• Steamboats
• Tourist boats
• Stand-up watercraft
• Sit-down watercraft
• Jet skis
• Hovercrafts

What laws regulate boating in Washington?

There are specific rules and safe boating practices that boat operators need to follow. For example, Washington State law provides that boating vessels should not be operated negligently. Negligent operation means:

Operating a vessel in disregard of careful and prudent operation, or in disregard of careful and prudent rates of speed that are no greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions existing at the point of operation, taking into account the amount and character of traffic, size of the lake or body of water, freedom from obstruction to view ahead, effects of vessel wake…

Boats do need to be registered with the Washington State Department of Licensing. The state laws provide that:

Anyone 12 or older can operate a motorboat with 15 horsepower or more with a Washington Boater Education Card or be supervised by someone at least 16 who has a Boater Education Card. An exception applies for boat operators born before January 1, 1955.

The legal age to operate a personal watercraft is 14. It is illegal to “lease, hire, or rent a personal watercraft to anyone under 16 years old.”

Safe boating practices include understanding the rules of navigation, operating at a safe speed and distance, and practicing good seamanship. There are many other laws and safety practices depending on the type of boat. Each waterway may have its own local rules and private requirements.

What types of boating and personal watercraft accidents may occur in Vancouver, WA?

At Philbrook Law, our Vancouver boating accident lawyers handle all types of boat accidents involving:

• Boat navigation accidents
• Collisions with other boats
• Collisions with fixed objects such as buoys or sandbars
• Collisions with swimmers
• Falling overboard
• Capsizing accidents
• Running aground accidents
• Fires
• Falls
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Accidents involving jet skis, paddleboarding, water surfing, parasailing, wakeboarding, kiteboarding, grounding, and other accidents

Our personal injury lawyers are skilled at showing that your boating injuries or the death of a loved one were due to:

• The failure of the boat operator to follow the state and local laws and any private regulations.
• Operator inexperience. All boaters should be properly trained in how to use their boats. Operators of commercial boats require special licenses. All operators should take appropriate boat operation courses whether they’re required to or not.
• Alcohol. Many boating accidents occur because boat operators operate their boats or PWC while intoxicated. Just one or two beers can cause a driver’s ability to operate their boat or PWC safely to diminish.
• Defective boat parts of defective equipment. Defective boats can cause boats to steer improperly or take in water. Defective boats can also cause fires or carbon monoxide poisoning. Defective parts may also cause navigational accidents and electrical accidents. Life jackets, fire extinguishers, and other safety equipment must work when emergencies occur.
• The elements. Operating a boat or using PWCs is doubly dangerous when it’s windy, rainy, foggy, or the sun is glaring; the operators can’t control their boats and others can’t see the boats to get out of the way. Boat operators should be aware of the weather reports and get to a safe port or location when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Other causes of boating and PWC accidents in Vancouver include improper lookouts, improper boat maintenance, forceful waves, and hazardous waters.

What types of boating and personal watercraft injuries do your lawyers handle?

At Philbrook Law, our Vancouver boating accident lawyers represent boat accident victims and families for all types of severe injuries including permanent and life-changing injuries. Common boat accident injuries include:

• Spinal cord damage
• Paralysis
• Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones/fracture
• Respiratory damage
• Hypothermia
• Electrical shock
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Internal organ damage
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Nerve, tissue, muscle, and ligament damage

Personal injury damages include all your current and future medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, loss of bodily function, and loss of life’s pleasures.

We also file wrongful death claims on behalf of the family members when a loved one died due to a boating accident.

Who is responsible for my Vancouver, WA boating accident?

Our Vancouver boating accident lawyers file personal injury and wrongful death claims against all responsible defendants, including:

• The operator of a boat or PWC
• Employers of any operators
• The owners of the boat
• Boat leasing/rental companies
• Boat touring businesses
• The manufacturer of a defective boat part or safety equipment

We may also file a claim against the government if the government created dangerous conditions for boaters.

When do I need to file my boating accident claim in Vancouver, WA?

It is best to contact us as soon as possible after an accident so we can investigate your claim, review your medical status, and answer your questions. Generally (exceptions may apply), you have no more than three years from the date of the accident to file a boating accident claim.

Do you have a Vancouver, WA boating accident lawyer near me?

Philbrook Law meets boating accident victims and families at our offices located in:

• Vancouver, WA. 300 W. 39th Street
• Portland, OR. 107 SE Washington St.

We advocate for clients in the greater Portland area and throughout Oregon and Washington.

Our attorneys will meet you in a hospital, another medical facility, or your home if you are too hurt to come to our office. Our personal injury lawyers also conduct consultations by phone and virtually.

Speak with an experienced Vancouver boating accident lawyer now

All accidents are traumatic. You worry about your health. You have anxieties about how you’ll be able to pay your bills. At Philbrook Law, our Vancouver boating accident lawyers have an impressive record of insurance settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of our personal injury clients. We’ll fight to obtain the full compensation you deserve. To schedule a free initial consultation at one of our offices, please call us or fill out our contact form today.

Our trial lawyers also represent clients in the greater Portland area and throughout Oregon. We handle boating accidents on a contingency fee basis.

Rated 5 Stars by Our Clients

Read firsthand accounts from the clients our personal injury attorneys have represented in complex personal injury claims.

“You will not be disappointed. After my first meeting with Matthew I felt confident they were the team for my case. Tiffany provided great communication and assistance during the info gathering phase and also throughout the settlement phase. Thank you so much for going the extra mile.”

“They were able to find his insurance. I highly recommend hiring Matt and Tiffany. They took all of the insurance stress off my shoulders so I could concentrate on helping my son who had many broken bones and surgeries.”

“I reached out to them and within minutes, we had a great conversation. You can tell how much they care about their clients. They also went above and beyond to get the best results for my situation. Would highly recommend. You won't find anyone better!”

“Amanda especially was such a huge help. They handled two back-to-back car accident settlements for me, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. The entire team was professional, responsive, and made the whole process smooth and stress-free. I truly appreciate their hard work and highly recommend them!”

“Not our fault! The other driver turned left in front of as after he was waved on by another driver. We both had minor to moderate injuries. Our Ford F150 Lightning became undriveable. We went to urgent care! One year later, we were having difficulty in reaching a settlement with the other drivers insurance company after they gave us a low offer. We felt we needed legal advice or assistance. We met with Tiffany Henson, who reviewed our case. She gave us the advice we needed to negotiate with the other insurance, rather than try to take it to court. Tiffany offered to review our letter and gave us further advise. After the insurance company reviewed our letter and statements they doubled the settlement amount and made all of the stipulations we had requested! We can not thank Tiffany enough for her caring personable attitude toward us. Her advise was right on and saved us from more anxiety and stress. If you have an injury accident do not hesitate to contact Philbrook attorneys. They will treat you right.”

“That’s how great these people are. Driving home one night in my shiny new car I was suddenly sandwiched inbetween 2 much larger vehicles. The damage didn’t seem like much at first, but ended up being four years of treatment & life long conservative care. I wasn’t a case that was easy to get treatment for and I felt very lost before I was recommended the Philbrook law team. I actually fired an attorney who had left me with more questions than answers and hired this office. It was the best choice I could have made for myself. They stood by me every step of the way. Thousands of questions and appointments all the way to discovery and settlements. I have recommended them to hundreds of people and will continue to at any given chance. Not once in 4 years did I question if I was in good hands. They really go above and beyond for their clients and I can’t thank them enough. I truly miss hearing from them. I’m sure not everyone can say that about their attorneys. Give them a call, you won’t regret it.”

“I had never needed to hire a lawyer for anything so I didn't know what to expect and I was nervous. Matt and his team were awesome. They helped me throughout the whole process with every question and concern. They were timely, knowledgeable, patient and courteous. I appreciate the hard work everyone contributed to my case and getting me a fair settlement.”

“They did everything to get what I deserved, They work for the best of my interest, and I really have the best experience with her, everyone in there is very polite and respectful. I hope that I will never have the need to hired them again but if I have to I will. If you're reading this review and you're looking a lawyer to represent you in a car accident matter, then don't look any further, they are the best.”

“My recovery treatment took well over a year and took up a lot of time outside of other life stuff. Once they took over my case, a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders and they took on all the burden from there on out. My insurance tried to settle for an absurdly low offer and Philbrook law got a settlement beyond my imagination. And they made it so quick and easy. I would recommend Philbrook law to anyone needing an accident lawyer. They were so efficient and stayed in touch through the whole process. Their whole team works hard to ensure people get the justice they deserve. Couldn't be happy with my settlement outcome!”

“It was very thoughtful, kind and helpful to have good advice, especially after asking another local firm and them not knowing what to do! I will definitely use this law firm in the future. Thank you!”

D. Pierce

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