Boating Accident Lawyer in Nashville

A day on the water can turn dangerous in seconds. Boat collisions, careless operation, alcohol use, and equipment failures can leave passengers and other boaters with serious injuries.  If you have been injured in a boating accident, you may be confused about what to do next.

Tennessee boating accidents may involve rules enforced by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), while some cases can also raise federal maritime-law issues, which can mean a complicated legal process. However, a boating accident lawyer in Nashville can help you understand what comes next.

Wettermark Keith helps injured people understand their legal options and pursue compensation when someone else’s negligence causes harm.

Our firm has recovered over $1.5 billion for our clients. Reach out to our firm for a free consultation with a Nashville personal injury lawyer.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Boating Accident in Nashville?

While every case is different, here are some of the general types of damages that may be available with a boating accident:

• Property damage: If your boat or any other property, like clothing, equipment, or electronics, was damaged in the accident, you may be able to receive compensation. 
• Medical bills: Many people get seriously injured in boating accidents; regardless of how severe your injuries are, if you had any medical bills to pay due to the accident, a financial recovery may be an option. 
• Pain and suffering: Pain is a real impact of these accidents, and you may be able to receive compensation for your suffering in your personal injury claim. 
• Emotional distress: Emotional distress can include symptoms like anxiety, stress, PTSD, and other emotional trauma that many people face after accidents. 
• Permanent disability or disfigurement: If your injuries result in a lasting disability, scarring, or disfigurement, you may be entitled to additional compensation for those effects.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Serious injuries may prevent you from participating in activities and hobbies you enjoyed before the accident. This may also be a compensable loss in your boating accident claim.
• Wrongful death damages: If a loved one dies in a boating accident, you may be able to recover compensation. 

Because every case is different, talking to a Nashville boating lawyer can help you get more clarity. They’ll take a look at all the details of your case to give you specifics. 

Common Causes of Boating Accidents in Nashville Waters

Boating accidents can happen for many reasons, but the boat’s operator is often at fault. They may speed, fail to maintain a proper lookout, make unsafe turns, or operate without enough experience. Common causes of boat accidents include:

• Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Excessive speed
• Distracted or inexperienced operators
• Overcrowded boats
• Unsafe nighttime operation or inadequate lighting
• Mechanical or equipment failures
• Dangerous wakes and waves
• Collisions with other boats or fixed objects

The cause of your boating accident can play a large role in liability and will be an essential part of your accident claim. However, figuring out who is at fault and proving that may be challenging.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer right away can mean help with both of those parts of the legal process.

Tennessee Boating Laws and Liability Rules

Tennessee has laws governing the operation and safety of boats on state waters. For example, Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-9-217 prohibits operating a vessel subject to registration or a commercial vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault system. This means that generally, an injured person may recover damages when their share of fault is less than 50%, but the recovery can be reduced based on their percentage of fault. At 50% or more fault, recovery is generally barred.

The specific rules that apply can depend on the waterway, vessel, and circumstances of the accident. A boating accident lawyer in Nashville can help you understand what laws apply and figure out liability, which can be essential to recovering compensation.

What to Do After a Boating Accident on the Cumberland River or a Local Lake

If you are injured in a boating accident, your priority should be getting medical attention. Serious injuries are not always immediately obvious, particularly after a collision or fall into the water.

You should also report the accident to the appropriate authorities when required, including the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). When you can safely do so:

• Take photographs or videos of the boats and the accident scene.
• Get contact information from witnesses and passengers.
• Preserve photographs, medical records, and other evidence.
• Keep information about the boat, operator, rental company, or owner.
• Avoid admitting fault or speculating about what caused the accident.
• Be cautious about giving recorded statements to an insurance company.

Contacting a Nashville boat accident lawyer early can also help preserve evidence and protect your interests while the facts are still fresh.

How a Nashville Boating Accident Lawyer Can Help

A boating accident may require a more detailed investigation than a typical injury claim. Wettermark Keith can investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and work to determine who may be legally responsible. The investigation may involve information like:

• TWRA accident reports
• Witness statements
• Photographs and video
• Marina or rental records
• Boat ownership and maintenance records
• Insurance information
• Evidence of alcohol or drug use
• Information about mechanical or equipment failures

A Nashville boating accident attorney from Wettermark Keith can also handle communications and negotiations with insurance companies while building a claim for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses allowed by law.

Get a Free Consultation With Wettermark Keith Today

Boating accident evidence can disappear quickly. Witnesses may forget what they saw, boats may be repaired or moved, and insurance companies may begin investigating before you understand your rights.

Wettermark Keith offers free, no–obligation consultations for people injured in boating accidents. Our firm works on a contingency basis, meaning you do not pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.

If you or someone you love was injured on the water, contact Wettermark Keith to discuss your case with our Nashville boat accident lawyers.