Experienced Boating Accident Attorney in Marietta, Georgia
At Ashby Thelen Lowry, our Marietta personal injury attorneys represent individuals and families who have suffered serious harm or the tragic loss of a loved one due to boating incidents throughout Georgia. From popular destinations like Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier to smaller rivers and reservoirs across Cobb County, Georgia’s waterways are widely used for recreation. However, when negligence is involved, those waters become dangerous.
Boating-related injuries are often severe due to the nature of open water, limited access to emergency response, and the lack of basic safety precautions that vessel operators take. Whether the harm was caused by a reckless boater, a defective vessel, or a rental company’s failure to provide proper instruction, we are here to help.
If you or a loved one has been injured while operating or riding in a boat or personal watercraft, contact our experienced legal team in Marietta today to learn how we can pursue the full compensation you are entitled to.
Boating Injuries Are on the Rise in Georgia
Boating continues to grow in popularity across the state—but so does the risk. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, 137 boating incidents and 91 injuries were reported last year, along with 30 boating-related fatalities, marking a noticeable increase from previous years.
Lake Lanier, located just over an hour from Marietta, consistently ranks among the deadliest lakes in the United States. Many of these deaths and injuries result from preventable behaviors, including boating under the influence, excessive speed, lack of navigation lights at night, and failure to maintain a safe distance from other vessels.
Inexperience is also a major contributor. Georgia law requires boaters born after January 1, 1998, to complete a boater education course, but compliance is difficult to track and enforce. As a result, many serious injuries are caused by individuals operating vessels without proper training or awareness of state boating regulations.
Common Causes of Boating Injuries in Marietta and Throughout Georgia
It often happens quickly and without warning when something goes wrong on the water. Boating injuries frequently occur due to another party’s careless or unlawful behavior.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Operator Inexperience or Distraction: Similar to distracted driving, distracted boaters may overlook other watercraft, swimmers, or hazards in the water.
- Boating Under the Influence (BUI): Alcohol is the leading known contributing factor in fatal recreational boating incidents, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Excessive Speed or Wake Creation: Boats traveling too fast near shorelines or other vessels pose a serious risk to passengers and swimmers.
- Failure to Provide Life Jackets: Georgia law requires children under 13 to wear a life jacket on moving vessels. In many injury cases, operators failed to provide or enforce proper flotation device use.
- Equipment Malfunctions: Defective steering systems, engine failures, and fuel system issues can lead to loss of control and sudden harm.
- Poor Maintenance by Rental Companies: In some cases, rental providers neglect required maintenance or fail to train renters on basic safety measures, creating dangerous conditions.
Our attorneys investigate each case thoroughly to determine how and why the injury occurred, and who should be held responsible under Georgia law.
Who May Be Liable for a Boating-Related Injury?
Establishing liability in a boating injury case requires identifying every party whose negligence played a role in the harm.
In Georgia, potential liable parties may include:
- The Boat Operator: If the operator was speeding, intoxicated, or behaving recklessly, they can be held personally responsible for injuries caused.
- Boat or Equipment Manufacturers: If the injury was caused by a mechanical failure, design flaw, or defective safety feature, a product liability claim may be appropriate.
- Rental Companies: Businesses renting boats or jet skis are legally obligated to maintain their vessels, screen renters, and provide basic safety instructions.
- Event Organizers or Tour Providers: If the injury occurred during a guided boat tour, charter trip, or water sports activity, the company may be liable if they failed to provide a safe environment.
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning more than one party can share fault, and compensation may be adjusted based on the degree of each party’s responsibility. Our firm has the experience to identify all sources of liability and pursue maximum compensation.
Types of Injuries Common in Boat and Watercraft Incidents
Boating injuries often involve high-impact trauma, exposure to the elements, and delayed medical response.
These incidents frequently result in:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from falls or propeller strikes.
- Spinal cord injuries caused by sudden jolts or ejections.
- Broken bones, lacerations, and soft tissue injuries.
- Hypothermia or drowning from prolonged water exposure.
- Burns from onboard fires or fuel system explosions.
Survivors often require long-term medical treatment, rehabilitation, and emotional support. In fatal cases, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim to seek justice and financial recovery.
Pursuing Compensation After a Boating Injury in Marietta, Georgia
When someone is injured due to another person’s negligence on the water, they may be entitled to compensation for a range of losses.
Including:
- Medical expenses (current and future).
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress or psychological trauma.
- Loss of companionship or enjoyment of life.
- Funeral and burial expenses in fatal injury cases.
Our team at Ashby Thelen Lowry works with medical professionals, economists, and experts in marine safety to calculate the full value of your claim and present a strong case for recovery.
Why Legal Action Matters After a Boating Injury
While insurance coverage may exist for boats and watercraft, many policies are limited, and insurance providers quickly shift blame or minimize payouts. Sometimes, the at-fault party may have no insurance, requiring legal action to pursue compensation directly.
Boating laws are complex and governed by federal, state, and local regulations. Our attorneys have experience navigating these complexities and building strong claims based on objective evidence, not assumptions.
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Contact Ashby Thelen Lowry After a Boating Injury in Marietta, Georgia
If you or someone you love has been seriously harmed on the water in Georgia, it’s essential to speak with an attorney who understands both the legal and practical complexities of boating injury cases. We are committed to representing injury victims throughout Marietta and surrounding communities with skill, compassion, and determination.
We start by listening—understanding what happened, how it impacted your life, and what outcome you need to achieve. Then we build a case that tells the whole story of your harm and demands accountability.
Contact our Marietta boat injury attorneys at Ashby Thelen Lowry today at (404) 777-7771 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation. We don’t get paid unless you do—and we fight every case like it matters, because to you, it does.
