Involved in a Boating Accident?
Assisting Injured Residents & Tourists in Maryland
Because of its close location to the coast and numerous other bodies of water, the state of Maryland is a popular destination for residents and tourists alike who wish to enjoy fishing, recreational activities such as waterskiing, and more. Unfortunately, these activities also bring with them the risk of serious injury. In fact, boats should be thought of like motor vehicles while they are on the water. When they are operated in an unsafe, negligent, or reckless manner, injuries and death may occur.
Some 2017 statistics on boating accidents in Maryland courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard:
- In 2017, 147 boating accidents were recorded in Maryland, resulting in
6 fatalities and 108 injuries. - An average of 136 boating accidents occurred each year in Maryland from
2013 to 2017. - Alcohol use was a contributing factor in 16 boating accidents in Maryland
in 2017, resulting in 3 fatalities and 17 injuries.
Aggressive & Dedicated Legal Representation
Have you been the victim of a boating accident at the hands of another party? If so, you may have cause to take legal action through a personal injury claim for compensation for numerous expenses such as property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Whether you are a long-time resident of the state or a tourist who has been involved in an unfortunate incident while on vacation, our Harford County personal injury lawyer strives to give you the aggressive and dedicated legal representation that you need. He is ready to fight for the maximum amount of compensation you deserve in your case!
At the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow, we represent injured clients in all types of boating accident cases, including:
- Boating under the influence of drugs of alcohol
- Drowning of boaters, swimmers, or snorkelers
- Jet ski and other personal watercraft crashes
- Injuries at the hands of negligent tour guides, captains, companies, and
other parties
A Summary of Maryland Boating Laws
To legally operate a motorized boat or personal watercraft (PWC) in the state of Maryland, you must:
- Obtain a certificate of boating safety education and be at least 16 years old
- Have at least one wearable Type I, II, II or V personal floatation device
(PFD) per person on board, and children under the age of 13 must wear
a PFD at all times while underway - Title and register your vessel with the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources (MDNR) - Obtain and carry a Certificate of Number at all times when operating your vessel
- Never operate a boat or PWC while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Operate your PWC at a speed no greater than 6 knots when within 100 feet
of another PWC, pier, bridge structure, abutment, or people in the water - Only operate a PWC during daylight hours; it is prohibited to operate a
PCW between the hours of sunset and sunrise - Obey all navigational laws
For more information about Maryland’s boating laws, visit dnr.maryland.gov.
An In-Depth Understanding of Watercraft Laws & Regulations
Boating incidents can create a variety of complexities and challenges when pursuing legal action. From using specialized recovery methods to retrieve evidence in the water to having an extensive knowledge of federal maritime laws, it is essential to have a Harford County boat accident attorney who is experienced and well-versed in the unique aspects of watercraft claims. At the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow, we have these necessary skills, tools, and resources to help you effectively pursue compensation.