Boat Accidents

Boating Accidents Are Serious Business

In 2003, over 700 people died nationwide while participating in boating activities and hundreds more were seriously injured. Many boating accidents are caused by the negligence of the operator. Sometimes, laws are violated. In Pennsylvania, for instance, piloting a boat while under the influence of alcohol (a.k.a. Drunk Boating or BUI) carries a minimum fine of $500, a two day jail sentence and a one year suspension of boating privileges. Ohio also has strict penalties for this offense.

Dallas Helps Recover for Boating Accident Victims

Any injury that occurs on or with a boat, ship, ferry or jet ski is considered a boating accident. Today, the rivers and lakes of Pennsylvania (PA) and Ohio (OH) and The Great Lakes are busier than ever with commercial vessels of all sizes carrying passengers and transporting freight. This traffic combined with the increasing popularity of leisure boating often creates crowded waterways that increase the chance of an accident. Dallas helps people who have been injured in any kind of a boating accident. If you or someone you love has been hurt because of a colliding, capsizing or sinking boat, or in water-skiing or fishing accident, you should make the free call to 1-866-920-1965 to see if you have a case. You may also click here to fill out a fee case evaluation form. The Law Office of Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. can help those hurt while fishing on Lake Erie, water-skiing on the Ohio River or the Allegheny River, or boating at a State Park. Let Dallas put his experience with boating accidents in Pennsylvania (PA) and Ohio (OH) to work for you.

Passenger Boat Accidents

The captain or operator of sailboats, motorboats, or charter fishing boats are responsible for the safety of those on board. The decision to take a group of friends out in Lake Eire or up the Ohio River can sometimes result in serious injury. Collisions with other boats commonly lead to serious injury or death when occupants fall or get tossed overboard. Still other injuries occur when a boat runs into a dock, bridge or other fixed object.

Jet Skis and Wave runners

Built for speed and intended for fun, Jet Skis, Wave Runners and other recreational watercraft are inherently dangerous. The vehicles do not have brakes and cannot be reliably steered when the operator lets go of the throttle. The personal watercraft injury attorneys at Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. have handled many jet ski accidents including collisions with other watercraft, passengers thrown off or struck when their jet ski flips and lands on top of them, swimmers run over, or operators crashing into obstacles. 

Slip and Fall Accidents

Accidents can also happen aboard a boat or on the docks.  If you or a loved was injured due to a fall on a boat or at dock, you could have a case against the owners of docks, marinas, wharfs or boats.  Slippery surfaces, rotting planks, fueling explosions, or other unsafe conditions or accidents can cause serious injury.

Contact a Pennsylvania Boating Accident Lawyer or an Ohio Boating Accident Attorney at The Law Offices of Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. today.

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Our attorneys handle cases across Pennsylvania and Ohio including Pittsburgh, Butler, Cranberry Township, Beaver, Ambridge, Aliquippa, New Castle, Ellwood City, Slippery Rock, Mercer, Grove City, Sharon, Meadville, Erie, Edinboro, Warren, Oil City, Franklin, Clarion, Youngstown, Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Lima, Boardman, Poland, and surrounding areas. We often have active cases in Erie County, Warren County, Clarion County, Crawford County, Lawrence County, Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Venago County, Mercer County, Clarion County, Columbiana County, Carroll County, Jefferson County, Carroll County, Mahoning County, Trumbull County, Ashtabula County, Lake County, Geauga County, Portage County and many more.