Vancouver, WA Boating Accident Lawyers
Experienced representation for victims of boating accidents in Vancouver, WA
Located just above the Columbia River, Vancouver, Washington is home to Vancouver Lake and many other bodies of water. On warm days, Vancouver’s waterways are host to many different types of personal watercraft (PWC), small boats, cargo boats, passenger boats, and other boats. At Philbrook Law Office, PS, 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 Office 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 our Vancouver, WA boating accident lawyers help?
- How do your lawyers handle boating accidents in Vancouver, WA?
- Which waterways do people use in Vancouver and Battle Ground, WA?
- What types of boats and personal watercraft are used in Vancouver and Battle Ground, WA?
- What laws regulate recreational boating in Washington?
- What types of boating and personal watercraft accidents may occur in Vancouver, WA?
- What type of boating injuries do your lawyers handle?
- Who is responsible for my Vancouver boating accident?
- When do I need to file my boating accident claim in Vancouver, WA?
- Do you have a Vancouver, WA boating accident lawyer near me?
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.
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 Office, 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 Office, 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 Office meets boating accident victims and families at our offices located in:
- Vancouver, WA. 300 W. 39th Street
- Battle Ground, WA. 105 N Parkway Ave. Ste 104
- 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 Office, 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.