Boating is popular in Queens, especially in warmer months. Many enjoy the water for fun, travel, or sightseeing. But when something goes wrong on the water, the results can be tragic. Boating accidents can lead to serious injuries, long hospital stays, and high medical bills.
Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers helps people who were hurt in boating accidents. We understand how fast things can go wrong on a boat, whether it's due to careless actions, bad weather, or equipment failure. Our team has a proven track record of helping boating accident victims across New York City, including Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, and even Nassau County and Suffolk County.
If you or someone you love was injured on a boat, our personal injury law firm is here to help. You may be able to file a personal injury claim and recover compensation for your losses. We fight to get you the fair compensation you deserve.
Table of Contents
Common Types of Boating Accidents in Queens
Boating accidents happen in many ways across New York City waters. Some of the most common types seen in local boating accident cases are:
Recreational Boat Collisions
Many recreational boating accidents happen because someone wasn’t paying attention or didn’t follow New York law on the water. A crash between two boating vessels can cause serious damage, throw people into the water, or even sink a boat.
Often, these collisions are caused by speeding, boating under the influence, or lack of experience. Some happen when boaters don’t follow basic safety rules or ignore coast guard guidelines. In some cases, the driver of one boat simply doesn’t see another vessel in time.
If you were injured in one of these crashes, you may face high medical expenses, missed work, and lasting pain. A skilled boat accident attorney can help you file a strong boating accident claim to get the money you need to recover.
Davidoff Law Personal
Injury Lawyers
Consultation With Us Today!
Jet Ski and Personal Watercraft Accidents
Jet skis and personal watercrafts are fast, fun, and often dangerous when handled carelessly. These accidents are common on weekends and holidays when the water is crowded.
Most crashes happen when people go too fast, ignore safety zones, or don’t know how to steer properly. Inexperienced riders or those under the influence make things worse. Sometimes, a bigger boat doesn't see a small jet ski until it's too late.
These accidents often result in common boating accident injuries like broken bones, cuts, or severe injuries to the head or back. Our boat accident attorneys help victims understand their rights, file claims, and begin the process of recovering fair compensation for their pain, medical bills, and lost wages.
Capsizing or Sinking Incidents
When a boat flips or sinks, the danger is extreme. People can get trapped, thrown into the water, or suffer serious boating accident injuries. These events often happen because of overcrowding, sharp turns, or poor maintenance.
If the boat wasn’t checked for safety, or if there were no life jackets on board, the risk of drowning or injury grows. Strong winds, waves, or another boat’s wake can also cause a vessel to capsize.
Victims in these boating accident cases often suffer long-term trauma. Filing a personal injury claim may help you recover compensation for medical care, lost time at work, and other costs caused by the accident.
Passenger Injuries on Ferries or Tour Boats
Queens is home to many ferries and tour boats that carry hundreds of passengers daily. While most rides are safe, things can go wrong. Slippery decks, lack of safety gear, or poor staff training can all cause harm.
People may suffer fall accidents, broken bones, or other boating accident injuries just from walking or standing in unsafe areas. If the ferry hits something, or stops suddenly, passengers can be thrown off balance or overboard.
In these cases, it’s important to hold the ferry company or law offices involved responsible. A personal injury attorney can help you file a claim, deal with the insurance claim process, and seek fair compensation.
Boating Accidents Due to Weather or Wake
Not all boating accidents are caused by other people. Sudden weather changes, rough waters, or a strong wake from another boat can lead to accidents. Even skilled operators can lose control when waves hit at the wrong time.
Still, many serious boating accidents happen because someone ignored weather warnings or didn’t slow down in dangerous water. Others may occur when boaters fail to adjust speed near smaller crafts or docks.
Whether the boat was hit by a storm or another vessel’s wake, boating accident victims still have rights. If someone else’s bad decision caused the crash, you may be able to hold them liable under New York law.
Causes of Boating Accidents
Many boating accidents are caused by preventable mistakes. A few of the most common causes include:
- Operator Inattention – When the person driving the boat stops paying attention, accidents happen. This is one of the top reasons boating accidents occur.
- Speeding – Just like on roads, going too fast on the water can lead to crashes. Speeding makes it harder to stop, especially near other boats or people.
- Boating Under the Influence – Alcohol and drugs affect judgment and reaction time. Many serious boating accidents involve someone who was drinking or using drugs.
- Poor Weather Conditions – Wind, rain, and fog can make it hard to see or control the boat. Some drivers ignore warnings and still go out, which leads to accidents.
- Lack of Experience – Inexperienced operators may not know safety rules or how to handle emergency situations.
- Improper Lookout – When no one is watching for people, boats, or floating objects, collisions can happen fast.
- Mechanical Failure – Boats must be checked and maintained. If equipment breaks down, it can cause accidents, especially if it happens suddenly.
- Violating Navigation Rules – New York law and coast guard rules are there for safety. Breaking those rules often leads to preventable accidents.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Boating Accident?
When a boating accident happens, more than one person or company might be responsible. It depends on what caused the crash and who was involved. Some of the most common parties that may be held legally responsible include:
Boat Operator
The person driving the boat is often the first one looked at in a boating accident case. If they were distracted, going too fast, or ignored coast guard rules, they can be held at fault. Many boating accidents happen because the operator was careless or made a bad choice.
If the operator was drinking, not trained properly, or didn’t follow basic safety steps, they may be responsible for any boating accident injuries that happened. Victims may be able to file boating accident claims and hold the driver legally and financially responsible for what went wrong.
Boat Owner
In many cases, the owner of the boat is not the same person who was driving it. But if they let someone unsafe use their boat, or if they failed to maintain it, the owner may still be liable under New York law.
Boat owners must make sure their vessel is safe, has life jackets, and follows rules. If something breaks or isn’t working and it causes a crash, they may be responsible—even if they weren’t on the boat. This applies in both private and rental boating accident cases.
Rental Companies or Tour Operators
If you were hurt on a rented boat or tour, the company that gave you the boat or ran the tour may be at fault. These businesses must check equipment, follow safety rules, and warn people about risks. If they didn’t, they could be held liable.
For example, if a tour guide takes passengers out during a storm or skips safety checks, and someone gets hurt, the company may be responsible. Boating accident victims in these cases can often recover compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Manufacturers
Sometimes, the crash happens because something on the boat was built wrong. If a part failed, and that caused the accident, the company that made it could be at fault. This is true even if the driver or owner did everything right.
These are called product defect cases. If your lawyer finds out that a broken motor, steering system, or other part caused the accident, you may be able to file a boating accident claim against the manufacturer.
How a Queens Boating Accident Lawyer Can Help
After a boating crash, it can be hard to know what to do or where to begin. A skilled Queens boating accident lawyer can help you understand your rights, gather strong evidence, and guide you through every step of your case. Below are the ways we can help.
Investigate the Accident and Determine Liability
One of the first steps in any boating accident case is figuring out who was at fault. This isn’t always easy, especially when multiple boats or people are involved. Your lawyer will study the accident report, look at boat logs, and speak with witnesses to find out what really happened.
Whether it was the operator, owner, rental company, or another party, we work to hold the right person or business responsible. We take the time to understand the full picture so that boating accident victims can file the right type of boating accident claim under New York law.
Handle Insurance Companies and Maritime Claims
Dealing with insurance companies after boating accidents is not always simple. You may be facing a complex insurance claim process, especially if the accident happened on a commercial boat or during a rental. Sometimes, these claims are also covered under federal maritime law, which brings in extra rules.
A knowledgeable boat accident attorney knows how to deal with these situations. We handle calls, forms, and negotiations so you don’t have to. Our goal is to protect your rights and make sure you are not offered less than what you deserve.
Collect Evidence Like Maintenance Logs and Witness Testimony
To build a strong case, your lawyer will collect as much proof as possible. This may include photos of the accident scene, inspection records, maintenance logs, or video from nearby cameras. We also speak with eyewitnesses who saw the accident happen or knew about unsafe boat conditions.
This evidence is key when filing a personal injury claim, especially if you’re dealing with serious injuries, expensive medical bills, or time missed from work. The more solid your case, the better your chances of winning a fair compensation amount.
File a Personal Injury Lawsuit If Needed
If the insurance claim process doesn’t result in a fair offer, your lawyer can take the next step and file a personal injury lawsuit. This gives you a stronger legal path to fight for justice and recover compensation for all the harm the accident caused.
Many accident victims don’t want to go to court, but filing a lawsuit can often push the other side to offer more money. And if they don’t, your lawyer will be ready to stand up for you in court.
Fight for Maximum Compensation Through Settlement or Trial
Whether we’re negotiating with an insurer or presenting your case to a jury, our goal is always the same: to help you recover fair compensation. This means money for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and anything else caused by the accident.
At Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we don’t settle for less than you deserve. We fight for the full amount, whether that comes through a fair settlement or a strong result at trial. That’s the power of having a trusted personal injury attorney on your side.
Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers Today!
FAQs
What should I do after a boating accident in New York?
After an accident in New York, always put safety first. Call for help, get medical care, and report the accident. If possible, take photos and talk to any witnesses. An accident report must be filed if someone is hurt or there is damage. Then, contact a lawyer to help protect your rights and guide your personal injury case.
Are boating accidents treated the same as car crashes?
Not always. While car accident lawyers may handle both types, boating accidents follow different laws, especially if they involve rental boats or happen on public waters. A lawyer with boating experience will understand maritime rules, how to prove negligence, and how to get the most out of your personal injury lawsuit.
What causes most boating accidents?
Most boating accidents are caused by reckless behavior, like speeding, drinking, or not watching the water. Some also happen when a boat capsizes due to poor weather or overloading. In many cases, these accidents could have been prevented if proper safety rules were followed.
Can I file a lawsuit if the accident caused fatal injuries to someone I love?
Yes. If the accident led to fatal injuries, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim as part of a personal injury lawsuit. This can help cover funeral costs, emotional pain, and the loss of income or support from your loved one.
How much does it cost to speak with a lawyer about my boating accident?
At Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we offer a free consultation. You don’t pay anything unless we win your case. Our goal is to help you get the maximum compensation for your pain, your medical bills, and everything else the accident has cost you, whether it happened in Queens, Westchester County, or anywhere else in New York.
Contact Our Queens Boating Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you or someone close to you was hurt in a boating crash, don’t wait to get help. The time after an accident can be confusing, painful, and expensive. You may be dealing with hospital visits, missed work, or the loss of a loved one. That’s where a trusted Queens boating accident lawyer can step in.
At Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand how hard it is to recover after a serious accident. Whether your case involves a boat capsizes, reckless behavior, or fatal injuries, we’ll help you file the right personal injury lawsuit and fight for maximum compensation.
We’ll explain your options, walk you through the next steps, and take over the legal work so you can focus on healing. Your first call with us is a free consultation, and you won’t pay unless we win. Contact our law firm today and let’s talk about how we can help.
