Newport Boat Accident Lawyer

One of the top summer destinations in Rhode Island, Newport is known throughout the country for its beautiful cliffs and beaches, as well as its historical significance in New England. Large and small boats alike flock to the scenic city's attractions and with thousands of boaters in the area, boating accidents are bound to happen in Newport. If you were injured in a boat accident, either as a boat driver, a passenger in a boat, or a third party, you may be entitled to compensation. After a distressing event like this, you need to have the best legal representation to recover damages for your physical injuries and property losses. Newport Boat Accident Lawyer David Tapalian has helped hundreds of personal injury victims throughout RI and MA successfully seek compensation, and can help you recover your losses. 

Intoxicated Boating in Newport, Rhode Island

Tens of thousands of tourists and locals alike flock to the Newport area every summer to visit the historic Newport mansions, go shopping on Thames Street, and for dining by the water. With the wide Atlantic Ocean surrounding the city, boaters can easily stop by Newport for its many restaurants and bars. However, boating and alcohol consumption should never coincide, and operating a boat under the influence can lead to fatal results. In fact, driving a boat while under the influence is the main cause of boating accidents, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Not long ago, a fatal boat accident in Newport killed a young couple when an intoxicated boater struck their vessel. The couple, both just 23 years old, had their life taken from them because one negligent boater wanted to have a good time. Perhaps the worst part about a boating accident caused by a drunk or drug impaired operator is that they are entirely avoidable. As a Newport Boating Accident Lawyer focused on personal injury, Attorney David Tapalian has seen too many avoidable boating accidents caused by drinking. The legal experts at Tapalian Law encourage everyone to avoid drinking when operating a boat, and to operate their vessels safely. If you find yourself injured in a situation involving a boater driving under the influence, Attorney Tapalian can help you to prevent the driver from hurting others in the future by holding them responsible for their actions against you.

Inexperienced and Negligent Boat Operation

Many boat accidents happen throughout the Ocean State, simply because people lack the experience to operate a boat. We encounter numerous boat accidents every year that result from people simply not taking the time to learn how to properly navigate within Narragansett Bay. Simply knowing how to navigate the channel and properly maintaining your boat can prevent accidents. Accidents can happen, for example, simply because someone is traveling too fast in a no wake zone. If a boat creates too large of a wake, they can injure the occupants of the other nearby vessels who are not anticipating any wakes to be produced. Excessive speed is another cause of boat accidents in Rhode Island that can easily be prevented. A distracted boat operator can be just as dangerous as a distracted automobile operator. It’s important that one pays attention at all times while operating a vessel within Rhode Island's navigable waters.

Filing a Boat Accident Claim in Newport, RI

Most victims of boating accidents are unaware of how to proceed and often assume boating accidents follow the same legal proceeding as other personal injury cases. However, boating accidents require a vastly different course of action for recovering compensation than car accidents or other similar motor vehicle accidents. Most notably in the event of a boating accident, the authorities will not come to the scene of the incident on the water unless it requires medical attention, involves property damage in excess of $2,000, or loss of life or disappearance from your boat. In the event of such a traumatic boating accident, you must also file a boating accident report and provide a written report within 5 days of the incident. Unlike vehicle accidents that go through your local police department, boating accidents are filed through the RI State Police with the Department of Environmental Management. This legal proceeding can be confusing for amateur and seasoned boaters alike. This is why it’s important to consult a skilled Newport Boating Accident Attorney like David Tapalian in the event of an accident, instead of making a costly mistake that will hurt your chances of recovering compensation. Maritime laws are highly complex and vary vastly across different localities, but Attorney Tapalian is well versed in the complexities of Rhode Island legislation involving boats. Don’t wait to consult the personal injury experts at Tapalian Law after a serious boating accident.

Contact a Boat Accident Lawyer in Newport for a Free Consultation

A fun day on the water can take a turn for the worse in a matter of seconds when a reckless driver is operating a boat. Attorney David Tapalian has decades of experience dealing with personal injury cases including boat accidents and has a dedicated team of legal experts to help make your situation less stressful, so you can focus on recovery. We will guide you through the correct procedures to move forward with your claim and can create a plan to strengthen your case to make sure you have the greatest chance of receiving full compensation. If you suffered severe injuries in the boating accident and cannot come to our office in downtown Providence, our legal experts will visit you in your home or at the hospital for a free consultation. Newport Boat Accident Attorney David Tapalian will work with you personally on your claim to make sure all your bases are covered. However, there is a 3-year statute of limitations on filing a boating accident claim, and only a 5-day grace period for filing a boat accident report. The longer you wait, the harder it is to recover your losses from the incident. Call Tapalian Law today at 401-552-5000 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.