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mike bottaro boat accident attorney

Rhode Island Boat Accident Lawyers

From the Providence River to Boston Harbor, New England’s coastline attracts residents and visitors alike with its world-class boating and recreational water opportunities. And while most boaters take safety precautions required by Rhode Island and Massachusetts regulations, a severe and even fatal boating accident can still occur.

If you were injured in a boating accident that wasn’t your fault, we want to help. With years of experience helping injury victims in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, the lawyers at the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC are ready help you with your boat accident claim. Call us 24/7 at (401) 375-2943 today to get started with a free case review.

Compensation for Boating Accident Injuries in Rhode Island

Boating accidents are caused by a variety of circumstances, including:

  • Boating while intoxicated
  • Inexperienced operation
  • Negligent, reckless, or distracted boating
  • Negligent boat maintenance
  • Improper lookout
  • Machinery failure
  • Excessive speed
  • Hazardous water or weather conditions
  • Force of wave/wake

If your boat accident injury was a caused by these or other circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC, we’re ready to provide the strong legal representation you deserve. Contact a boat accident lawyer with the knowledge and resources to build a strong claim today—just dial (401) 777-7777.

Evidence in Boat Accident Claims

Evidence is key to building a strong case. In boat accident cases, we can collect several types of evidence to help prove your claim for compensation including:

  • Photos
    Did you or anyone else take photos at the scene of the accident?
  • Witness statements
    Are there witnesses who can corroborate your version of the events of the accident?
  • Police reports
    If police responded to the accident, there should be a police report indicating details from the accident—which may include potential causes or suspected responsible parties.
  • Phone records
    If you suspect that the boater who caused the accident was distracted because they were using their phone, we can request a copy of their phone records to confirm this.
  • Medical Records
    Medical records from any resulting injuries can help establish both the timing and cause of your injuries.

Common Types of Boating Accidents

There are five main types of boating accidents:

  1. Collisions with other vessels
  2. Collisions with fixed objects (such as a dock)
  3. Flooding/swamping
  4. Grounding
  5. Towing

The vast majority of boating accidents involve open motorboats—such as fishing boats, center consoles, and bow riders. However, many cases also involve personal watercrafts (jet skis), pontoons, cabin boats, and non-motorized vessels.

Common Types of Boating Accidents

Boating Accident FAQ

After an accident on the water, you may be wondering what steps you can take to help protect your rights to compensation. The Bottaro Law Firm, LLC wants to help. Our boat accident attorneys know what it takes to prepare a strong injury claim in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and we’re ready to answer some of the questions you may have.

Boat Accident

What is the statute of limitations for filing a boating accident claim in Massachusetts and Rhode Island?

Typically, you have 3 years after the accident to file a claim. However, the sooner you file your claim, the sooner you’ll be able to recover the compensation you deserve.

Do I have to pay money upfront to hire a boat accident lawyer?

No. We take all boating accident claims on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay anything upfront, and we won’t send you a bill. You’ll only pay us after we’ve helped secure compensation for you—that’s our No Fee Guarantee®.

Should I work directly with the insurance companies?

Insurance companies will try to get you to settle before you know the extent of your losses—which means you may not get all the compensation you deserve. Hiring a boat accident attorney to deal with the insurance companies for you can help you avoid mistakes that might jeopardize your claim. You can learn more in our free publication, here: Insurance’s 5 Best Kept Secrets.

Can waiting to file my claim hurt my chances of getting compensation?

Potentially. After any type of accident, it’s important to get legal help right away. Evidence needs to be collected and preserved as soon as possible, and you may need medical treatment records from the accident to help prove your claim. A delay won’t necessarily hurt your claim, but it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as you can.

Is seeking compensation for a boat accident different from seeking compensation for other types of accidents?

Yes and no. Like other personal injury claims, boat accident claims for compensation are typically based on someone else’s negligence. In order to recover maximum compensation for your losses, you’ll need to hire an attorney to investigate and collect evidence to prove that someone else was at fault for the accident.

However, boating accidents often result from boat-specific issues, like improper boat maintenance or reckless boating. Those may be in addition to issues like driving while distracted or intoxicated, which often occur in other types of accidents. To identify all possible sources of compensation for your losses, it’s important to hire a knowledgeable attorney with specific experience handling boat accident claims in Rhode Island or Massachusetts.

What percentage of boating accidents result in injuries and fatalities?

The Department of Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard report that among the top 10 causes of boating accidents in the US, 66% result in injuries and 12% result in fatalities. Most of these injuries are a result of alcohol use, and most deaths are the result of operator inattention.

Do Massachusetts and Rhode Island require boaters to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs)?

In both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, only certain boaters are required to wear PFDs. However, all boats are required by law to have a certain number of PFDs on board. Even though not every passenger is required to wear a PFD, you’re more likely to survive in a boat accident if you do wear one. You can still pursue a claim even if you were not wearing a life jacket at the time of your accident.

Get a trusted car accidents lawyer on your side

Lawyers Helping Rhode Island Boating Accident Victims

If you or a loved one were harmed in a boating accident, you may be able to file for compensation. For more than 12 years, The Bottaro Law Firm, LLC has fought for the rights of injury victims—and we’re ready to fight for you too. With our No Fee Guarantee®, you’ll only pay us if we get money for you—so don’t wait to get started. Contact us 24/7 at (401) 777-7777, or fill out our online form today. We’re here to help.

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