Boating Accident Attorneys
in Salem, Massachusetts

Life at sea is a reality for many, whether commercial fishermen, merchant seamen or simply pleasure boaters who love the water. However, when the ocean turns violent, the perils faced are sometimes insurmountable. If proper safety precautions and procedures are not taken, or if equipment fails or is in poor condition, accidents can and will occur. Thousands of people are seriously injured or killed at sea every year in United States coastal waters and countless others across the globe. 

Federal, state, and international maritime laws each have their own unique regulations regarding boating accidents. As a result, pursuing a claim to receive compensation for maritime-related injuries can be a complicated process.

Lawyers Who Understand Boating Laws & Regulations

At Muggeo & Associates, our boating accident attorneys have decades of experience handling these complex claims on behalf of commercial fishermen, merchant seamen, researchers, and pleasure boaters. Both Louis J. Muggeo and Jared J. Muggeo are United States Coast Guard licensed captains and have hundreds of hours at sea. We also represent private yacht clubs and marinas. As such, we are intimately familiar with the full range of nautical procedures and protocols. We have helped clients who were injured in boating accidents throughout the United States recover compensation for their losses. This includes medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We fully understand not only the relevant boating laws and regulations but also their practical applications in real-time situations, which we have encountered as captains and which are invaluable in prosecuting a maritime case.

Boating Accidents Are One of Our Firm’s Specialized Practice Areas, and Our Vast Experience in It Will Be of Invaluable Assistance to You.

We have been helping those injured at sea and on land for over 40 years recovering millions of dollars for our clients. Contact us today to find out your options and to see how you might be able to recover money for lost wages, past and future medical bills, past and future pain and suffering and mental anguish. We have handled cases throughout the United States in all the major ports and coastlines and have helped people who are injured throughout the world. Please call us today so we can answer any questions you have and help you. If you have been injured in a boating accident, please fill out our no-cost, no-obligation case review form today.

Types of Boating Collisions

Boat collisions can be caused by factors such as:

• Impaired Operation – Impaired operating is the number one cause of fatal boating accidents. Boating is highly dangerous when the operator of a boat is drunk. Alcohol use can impair a boat operator’s ability to think clearly and focus on boating in a responsible manner.

• Operator Inexperience – Although learning to operate a boat may not take a long time, many inexperienced operators can cause accidents. Taking a boating class is recommended, but it is also necessary to gain experience operating a boat to avoid making serious mistakes in the future.

• Distracted Operation – Some boaters are not paying close attention while operating a craft on the water. Distracted boating is one of the main cause of boating accidents. Boaters need to be aware of their surroundings all the time.

• Excessive Speeding – Maintaining a safe speed on a boat is crucial since speed is a major factor when making safe turns and avoiding other vessels. Operating a boat in certain types of water may allow for higher speeds than driving in other types of water, such as open still water versus crowded, choppy water.

• Boat Maintenance – Keeping up with maintenance is a large part of owning a boat. Boating accidents can happen because of faulty equipment or parts. For example, GPS failure could run your boat into shallow waters or rocks. Carbon monoxide poisoning due to faulty equipment is also a serious concern.

• Dangerous Waters and Wakes – Hazardous waters, big waves, and wakes can cause serious boat accidents. Strong currents, hidden rocks, and shallow waters can cause severe injuries to boat operators if they are not careful. Weather-related waves or artificially caused wakes from other boats are also dangerous if not navigated properly.

• Severe Weather – Weather can turn bad quickly on any body of water. Boaters should be aware of the weather forecast before heading out. Dangers can arise from a severe storm, especially on a large body of water.