Tulsa Boating & Maritime Accident Lawyer

Boating & Maritime Accident Attorney in Tulsa, OK

Though Oklahoma is landlocked by the Great Plains and the Ozark Mountains, several rivers, lakes, and reservoirs dot the state. Places like the Arkansas River, nearby Skiatook Lake, Fort Gibson Lake, and the Sequoyah State Park all offer numerous boating options for Tulsa residents. Whether enjoying this pastime for recreation or while performing duties of your job, if injured, an experienced Tulsa boating & maritime accident lawyer can help protect your rights.

Hire a Boating & Maritime Accident Lawyer

At Fulmer Sill, we have over 35 years of combined experience helping Tulsa area residents secure compensation in a wide range of personal injury claims. Our Tulsa personal injury lawyers have handled countless cases, and we have a proven track record of success when it comes to helping our clients pursue the compensation they may be entitled to.

While our past results cannot guarantee a future outcome, we stop at nothing to get the results you deserve, inside or outside of the courtroom.

Our team is passionate about empowering injured people and helping them get their lives back on track after an accident happens due to another party’s negligence or reckless behavior. While not every personal injury case will go to court, our attorneys prepare every case as though a courtroom trial is inevitable, so that nothing surprises us. We are here to serve and support your legal needs, and each member of our team is here to advocate on your behalf.

Common Causes of Boating & Maritime Accidents in Tulsa

Across the United States, boating is a widely popular recreational activity and is also used in various modes of employment. The unfortunate reality, however, is that there are around 4.9 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vehicles each year, including boats and other watercraft.

In most boating accidents, the cause boils down to some form of human error. The operators and owners of boats need to have a firm understanding of the laws and requirements of waterway navigation. Unfortunately, even the most experienced and skilled boaters can still make decisions that can lead to accidents. The most common causes of Tulsa-area boating and maritime accidents include the following:

• Speeding. When an individual is operating a speedboat, jet ski, or any other kind of watercraft, it is important that they understand the rules of speeding for the kind of water they are in. A boater needs to make sure they are only traveling at speeds appropriate for the weather and water conditions. When they neglect speeding rules, dangerous accidents, injuries, and death can occur.
• Intoxication. Operating a boat or other watercraft under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a recipe for disaster. Alcohol use is one of the leading causes of boating accidents, and is listed as a leading factor in around 20% of all boating-related deaths in the United States.
• Operator recklessness or negligence. When the driver of a boat or watercraft acts in a negligent or reckless manner, such as when overloading a boat with passengers or not having the right safety equipment onboard the vessel, it can result in horrific accidents, injuries, and even death.
• Inexperienced operators. Different skills are needed for every kind of watercraft. Sailboats are different from fishing boats, which are different from speed boats. It is important that you take the right classes for the kind of boat you are planning to operate, as operator inexperience is a leading cause of accidents on Oklahoma waterways.
• Failure to follow navigational rules. It is important that the individual operating the watercraft understands how boats have the right-of-way and where they are in relation to other boats on the water. They also need to be aware of the speed limits for their craft in the specific kind of water they are in. Any kind of violation of navigational rules or lack of understanding can lead to terrible and even fatal accidents.
• Bad weather. In Oklahoma, a rainstorm or windstorm can appear suddenly and make it extremely difficult to navigate a watercraft correctly. It is important to check the weather before going out on the water, and you should also get back to shore before it gets too dark.
• Product defect or malfunction. Just like any other consumer product, there is always a chance that a boat can suffer a malfunction or defect, which can lead to an accident. It is important, therefore, to keep up to date with regular maintenance on your watercraft.

Owning a watercraft and operating it–whether it be for pleasure or work–comes with a certain degree of responsibility. When this responsibility or duty is ignored, through negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing, great harm can occur. If you are injured in a boating accident, the team at Fulmer Sill is here to serve you and help you recover your due compensation.

Injuries Resulting from Boating & Maritime Accidents

The injuries sustained in most boating accidents can leave victims with lasting and even permanent damage. In the most severe cases, these injuries can lead directly to death. In the Tulsa area, the most common kinds of injuries resulting from accidents on the water include:

• Drowning
• Spinal cord injuries, which can result in complete or partial paralysis
• Cuts, bruises, puncture wounds, and lacerations
• Amputations of limbs or digits
• Injuries to bones, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues
• Internal organ or nerve damage
• Internal bleeding
• Traumatic brain injuries

Many of these injuries can lead to life-changing effects. Many victims will need to receive lifelong care, and some may need home renovations in order to move about their daily life in a safe manner that accommodates their current injury or disability. Even if you are lucky enough to walk away from a multi vehicle accident without much physical damage, the emotional trauma can lead to conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Following a boating accident in Oklahoma, it is important to seek medical attention. If you wait too long to do so, it could be used against you, and the validity of your injuries may be called into question. For this reason, even if you do not feel seriously injured, seeking a check-up with your primary care doctor is wise after an accident.

Liability in Oklahoma Boating & Maritime Accidents

Determining liability in any personal injury case can prove challenging, but in a boating accident, it is often more difficult. There may be multiple parties to blame for your accident and resulting injuries. At Fulmer Sill, we are here to review the details of your claim to determine who can be held liable for your damages. These parties often include:

• The boat operator
• The boat owner
• Manufacturers of defective boat parts or safety equipment
• Boat rental companies
• Passengers
• Other boat operators involved in the crash

FAQs

What Compensation Can I Recover in a Boating Accident?

In a boating accident, there are several forms of compensation you may be able to recover based on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the accident itself. The most common forms of compensation include medical bills related to your injuries, lost wages, lost employment benefits, or loss of your future earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of the enjoyment of life, wrongful death damages where applicable, and punitive damages.

What Should I Do Following a Boating Accident?

Following a boating accident, there are steps you should take to protect yourself. First, you need to make sure everyone in the boat is safe and accounted for. You then need to call 911, even if no significant injuries seem to have taken place, as there are some injuries that can only be diagnosed by a professional. You then need to document the accident and exchange information with other parties.

Where Do Boating Accidents Happen in the Tulsa Area?

In the Tulsa area, there are many local waterways that are used both for recreational purposes and for certain jobs. Boating accidents are common on local waterways such as Grand Lake, Oologah Lake, Keystone Lake, Kaw Lake, Skiatook Lake, Lake Hudson, Lake Eufaula, Lake Texoma, and the Arkansas River.

What Are the Most Common Types of Injury in Maritime Accidents?

There are several injuries that can occur in a maritime accident in the Tulsa area. Whatever your job may be t on the water, injuries resulting from an accident can be substantial and may even be life-threatening. The most common maritime accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries, fractures and broken bones, joint damage, and burn or explosion injuries. There are around 400,000 maritime workers in the US, many of whom face a high catastrophic injury and fatality rate.

Tulsa Boating & Maritime Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in any kind of accident involving a watercraft, you need to hire a boating & maritime accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Fulmer Sill, we are here to offer the legal support and representation you deserve. Allow us to stand up for your rights and interests, whatever your case entails. We are committed to providing skilled and experienced legal services for all clients. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your initial consultation.