Boating Accidents

Van Riper & Nies is an aggressive, experienced and trial-savvy maritime law firm with a concentration in maritime injury claims involving recreational boaters and passengers. We take boating and waverunner accident cases throughout Florida from our offices in Stuart, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach and Boca Raton.  

Throughout Florida, many enjoy recreational boating without having to worry about a serious maritime accident or injury. When alcohol or drugs are involved, or when boat captains fail to pay close enough attention to the operation of their vessel, boating accidents and serious injuries will happen. For such victims of negligence,  and their families, obtaining full compensation for medical treatment, loss of wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish and other damages that are due is a significant and important part of the recovery process. We work hard for our clients' futures so they may concentrate on healing obtaining the medical care they require.

At Van Riper & Nies, our maritime attorneys and trial paralegals work hard for  victims of boating and personal watercraft accidents. Our attorney, Tim Nies, an Army Ranger Veteran, is a a former senior casualty attorney for the largest insurance defense law firm in the U.S.  Attorney, Christian Van Riper, is an avid boater and former felony prosecutor, where he prosecuted many boaters charged with Boating under the Influence (BUI) and other maritime crimes.

Boating accident and injury claims prosecuted by our maritime attorneys include:

- Drunk boating or DUI/BUI accidents
- Reckless or careless boating
- Personal watercraft accidents
- Fishing charter injuries
- Wakeboarding accidents
- Waterskiing accidents
- Back and neck injuries caused from being ejected from seats
- Falls overboard
- Falls onboard
- Prop injuries
- Dangerous maritime products
- Inadequate boat maintenance

Litigating a boating or personal watercraft  accident or injury case is considerably more difficult than an auto accident because evidence in a boating injury case is more easily lost (washes away, etc.) after a boating accident. It is therefore critical to have boats, personal watercraft and other vessels inspected without delay  in order to preserve critical evidence.  Our maritime attorneys, paralegals, experts and investigators quickly inspect and photograph the vessels, take recorded statements from witnesses and obtain all law enforcement and Coast Guard reports.  It is important to contact a maritime injury attorney, who understands Florida boating laws,  at the earliest opportunity after your boating accident.

Following a boating or personal watercraft accident, if you, or family members, have questions regarding the boat operator or owner’s boat insurance, or how you can be covered for your damages if the negligent or careless boat owner or operator is uninsured or underinsured, we can provide the advice you need to make important and informed decisions.

Those who cause boating or waverunner accidents sometimes have a provision on their homeowners' insurance policy, umbrella policy or other insurance, that provides coverage for such maritime accidents. Our lawyers know how to interpret those policies and obtain such coverage  that is needed to fully compensate injured clients and families for their harms and losses. 

For more information about our maritime practice, please call 800-650-1243 day or night.