Personal Injury

Knoxville Boat Accident Attorney

Boating Accidents

Injured on the water? Our team helps boating accident victims recover fair compensation across East Tennessee.

We handle boating injury cases caused by reckless drivers, defective equipment, or unsafe conditions.

Injured in a Boating Accident in Tennessee? Here's How We Can Help

A day on the water can quickly turn tragic. Boating accidents often result in serious injuries or even death, and you may be left facing medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you deserve compensation and a chance to move forward.

At Burks & Ogle, we understand how devastating boating accidents can be. We help victims like you fight for what is fair so you can focus on healing.

Call (865) 522-4964 or contact us online now to schedule your Free Consultation.

Common Causes of Boating Accidents in Tennessee

Boating accidents do not happen by chance. They are caused by negligence or failure to act responsibly. The most common causes include:

  • Alcohol Use: Sun and alcohol are a dangerous mix. Even below legal limits, alcohol can impair judgment and lead to serious accidents. Operating a boat under the influence is illegal and risky.
  • Distractions: Whether it's passengers, electronics, or the scenery, distractions can take a boater's focus away from the surroundings and cause accidents.
  • Inexperience: Boating safely requires knowledge of rules, regulations, and handling. Inexperience can lead to mistakes that harm others.
  • Fatigue: Hours in the sun and water can tire a person out. Fatigue reduces reaction time and awareness.
  • Reckless Actions: Overloading, speeding in unsafe areas, or boating in swimming zones are examples of reckless behavior that put lives at risk.
  • Defective Equipment: Faulty parts like steering arms, throttles, or navigational tools can lead to loss of control and accidents.
  • Poor Maintenance: Boats require upkeep. Equipment failures from neglect can cause serious crashes or capsizing.

Types of Boating Accidents

Boating accidents can involve all types of vessels and activities, including:

  • Airboats, cabin cruisers, canoes, kayaks, jet skis, sailboats, personal watercraft
  • Falls onboard or overboard
  • Collisions between boats or with objects
  • Propeller injuries
  • Jet thrust injuries
  • Accidents during wakeboarding or waterskiing

Common Injuries from Boating Accidents

  • Drowning: The leading cause of death in boating accidents.
  • Lacerations: Propeller blades can cause deep, often life-threatening cuts.
  • Electrocution: Poor maintenance and standing water increase this risk.
  • Whiplash: Sudden stops or turns cause neck injuries.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: Bouncing from waves can compress the spine and damage discs.

Liability and Compensation in Tennessee Boating Accidents

If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. To prove liability, you must show:

  1. The other party owed you a duty of care.
  2. They breached that duty.
  3. The breach caused your injury.
  4. You suffered damages as a result.

If the injury was caused by a defective product, a product liability claim may apply, where fault is not required to be proven. Responsible parties could include manufacturers or sellers.

Types of compensation:

  • Economic damages: Medical bills, lost wages
  • Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress
  • Punitive damages: In rare cases, to punish reckless behavior

Contact a Boating Accident Lawyer in Knoxville Today

Every boating accident case is different, and results depend on the facts and how well your case is argued. At Burks & Ogle, we know what to look for and how to fight for your fair compensation.

We don't get paid unless you do.

Call (865) 522-4964 or contact us online today to schedule your Free Consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore answers to typical auto accident questions. For specific advice on your Tennessee situation, contact Burks & Ogle at 865-522-4964 or online.

What Types of Auto Accidents Are There in Tennessee?

The types of auto accidents are the same pretty much anywhere, and they include single car accidents or collisions between other vehicles, people, property, or animals.

  • Single auto accident
  • Multi-car accident
  • Truck accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Hit and run accidents
  • Rideshare accidents
  • Public transit accidents
  • Wildlife-vehicle collisions
  • Car accidents involving pets
  • Car accidents involving children

How Do I Get Compensation for an Auto Accident in Tennessee?

One of the main things that accident victims have to worry about is being fairly compensated for their injuries. There are two main ways that this will generally happen, and each has its own pros and cons.

Settlement

In an auto accident, resolving a case in a settlement means accepting the amount of money that an insurance company offers. One of the main benefits of handling a case this way is that it will typically end a case much quicker than going through the court system. In addition, a client and their attorney have a good deal of power during this process–they can negotiate until they get the amount they want and reject any settlement that isn't acceptable.

Going to Court

If a victim doesn't receive a fair settlement offer, they may need to file a lawsuit to get their compensation. Lawsuits may result in a higher payout, but they typically take much longer, and there is no guarantee that a court will side with you.

After a Car Collision in Tennessee, Who Do I Sue?

There are many parties who might be liable for your injuries, and ultimately it will depend on the facts of your specific case. An experienced lawyer will be able to help determine who the best person or people are to seek compensation from.

If the other driver was driving under the influence or failing to obey the rules of the road, they could potentially be held liable. Additionally, a car manufacturer could be held liable if their car malfunctioned, and in some cases, a government entity could even be held liable if the conditions on the road are what causes a crash.

After a Car Collision in Tennessee, Who Do I Sue?

There are many parties who might be liable for your injuries, and ultimately it will depend on the facts of your specific case. An experienced lawyer will be able to help determine who the best person or people are to seek compensation from.

If the other driver was driving under the influence or failing to obey the rules of the road, they could potentially be held liable. Additionally, a car manufacturer could be held liable if their car malfunctioned, and in some cases, a government entity could even be held liable if the conditions on the road are what causes a crash.

Should I Release Medical Records to Another Driver's Insurance Adjuster?

Generally, it is important to remember that the other insurance adjuster involved in the case wants to pay you as little as possible. While they may ultimately need to see your records, they only need to see specific records pertaining to your accident. If records are not necessary, but the insurance company receives them, they could use any health information against you. An attorney can help edit this request to ensure that only records needed are released.

Further, it is always important to have an attorney with you when you speak to your own insurance company. You want to give only the facts. Your own insurer has its own company as its priority, too, and so it also wants to prevent a payout. This is especially true when you need to file a first-party claim with your own insurance.

If I Don't Feel Hurt after an Auto Accident, Do I Have to See a Doctor?

Certain injuries might not present symptoms immediately after an accident, and getting to a medical professional can catch those injuries. In addition, an opposing attorney or insurance adjuster might try to argue that a delay in seeking medical treatment means that a victim's injuries were not actually from the accident. Going to the doctor after an accident can cut against these kinds of arguments.

What Should I Do after an Auto Accident in Tennessee?

First and foremost, you should contact emergency services and seek medical attention. But you also want to:

  1. Exchange information with the other parties to the accident, which includes names, insurance, driver's license, phone numbers.
  2. Gather evidence, like pictures and video of the scene, the surrounding location, the vehicles, property damage, injuries (if any).
  3. Get the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses as well as a brief recorded statement, if you are able to do so because their recollection will be best on the scene and preservation of it will be best if recorded either in writing or by video.
  4. Consult with an attorney so that you can obtain a good understanding of whether you have a compensable case and how to go about pursuing what you are legally owed.

What Should I Not Do After an Auto Accident in Tennessee?

In juxtaposition to what you should do if in a car collision, here is what you should not do.

  1. You should never leave the scene of an accident. If you leave a scene, especially when someone is injured, it is a hit and run, a criminal offense. You must stay with your vehicle and contact emergency personnel if someone is injured.
  2. You should not leave your vehicle where it can pose a risk to others. If you can, move the vehicle to a safe location. If you cannot move it on your own, contact someone who can.
  3. You should not ignore calling 911. Even when no one is injured, you should still contact 911. The police will investigate and write a report that can later be used to help identify liability.
  4. Do not forget to exchange information. Try not to let fear or anxiety get the best of you. You really need to obtain contact and insurance information from the other party involved in the collision. Insurance will be critical to recovery of compensation.
  5. Do not underestimate your injuries. Some injuries are delayed (like whiplash) while other injuries may not seem serious (like bruising as there may be internal bleeding). You should get checked out by a doctor.
  6. Do not admit fault. Even if you think or know you are at fault, do not admit it. The other party may have contributed in some way, too. In comparative negligence states, you can still recover in most situations if both parties contributed to the accident.
  7. Do not contact or give a statement or documents to the other party's insurance company. You must speak to your own insurance company, but you are not obligated to do the same with any other insurance company. To do so could jeopardize your case. Either your attorney or your own insurance company can communicate with the other party's auto insurer.

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