Our Riverside boat accident lawyers at Bisnar Chase are highly experienced with an outstanding success rate. We have been helping injury victims for over 46 years, providing the superior representation that you deserve.
Boating and other watercraft accidents are common in Southern California’s waterways. Every year, accidents involving injuries and fatalities occur in our local oceans, rivers, and man-made bodies of water.
When that happens in or around Riverside County, you need the right attorneys on your side.
The Best Boat Accident Attorneys Near You
The skilled Riverside personal injury lawyers at Bisnar Chase are here to provide you with the resources you need to make an informed decision about pursuing your right to compensation.
- We have a 99% success rate.
- Our team has recovered over $1 billion and counting for our clients.
- Experience counts, and our firm has been in business since 1978.
- A free consultation – no win, no fee.
Please contact us for a free case evaluation with no obligations. If you are entitled to compensation, our Riverside boat accident lawyers will help you take legal action against the at-fault party. We pay all upfront costs to make it risk-free for our clients. Call us at (951) 530-3711 and let us fight for you.
Legal Resources for Riverside Boat Accidents
Types of Boat Accidents That We Handle
We take on all kinds of cases resulting in physical injuries. That includes accidents sustained on boats, docks, and in open water, helping everyone from swimmers to passengers. We also handle cases involving other watercraft accidents, such as jet skis, rafts, and kayaks.
Some of the most common boating accidents we see include:
- Boat-on-boat collisions causing injuries.
- Falls overboard.
- Slip-and-falls on a boat or dock.
- Collisions with fixed objects.
- Capsizing.
- Drowning.
- The craft flooding, running aground, or sinking.
- Swimmers struck by other crafts.
- Contact with the boat propeller.
- Mishaps while skiing, tubing, or taking part in any other water sports.
If you have been injured on a boat, in a different kind of watercraft, or in a body of water, you should contact our team at Bisnar Chase as soon as possible to find out if you have a case. Even if your accident type is not listed above, give us a call to learn more about your options. We have helped countless injury victims recover the compensation they deserve.
You can maximize the compensation you could receive by working with the best Riverside boating accident lawyers in your area. Bisnar Chase is a top-rated injury law firm with a track record of success. Just as importantly, we always put the client first. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Causes of Boat Accidents and Injuries
Similar to car and truck accidents, boating accident liability depends on who was responsible for the accident and whether negligence contributed to the crash.
Some of the most common causes of boat accidents in oceans, rivers, and lakes include:
- Operator error and inexperience.
- Speeding.
- Driving under the influence.
- Overloading or improper loading.
- Mechanical failures.
- Lack of maintenance.
- Poor weather conditions and choppy water.
- No safety equipment.
The cause and specific circumstances of the accident will inform who is legally liable for any injuries caused.
Who Is Legally Responsible for a Boating Accident in or Near Riverside?
There are several different potentially liable parties that could be held accountable for a boating accident. These include:
- Boat Operator: The person controlling the boat is often liable if their negligence causes an accident. Examples of negligence include driving too quickly, making unsafe maneuvers, or operating the boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Boat Owner: The owner of a boat could be liable for injuries, even if they were not onboard at the time of the accident, if they failed to ensure the vessel was safe.
- Passengers: If a passenger’s reckless actions onboard a boat cause an accident or injury, they can be held legally responsible.
- Charter or Rental Company: Boats are expensive, so many boat trips are rentals or charters. But the companies responsible for those trips must provide safety equipment, maintain their boats, and ensure the vessels are safe.
- Boat Manufacturers: In some cases, a boat or parts manufacturer might be liable if the boat itself has inherent defects that create hazards and cause accidents.
- Individuals on Land or in the Water: Anyone who fails to take proper care or acts maliciously and causes an accident can be liable, whether they are outside the vessel, in the water, or on dry land.
Multiple Responsible Parties
If more than one person or party played a role in causing an accident, we can file multiple claims or name multiple defendants in a lawsuit.
For example, if a boat operator caused an accident by driving recklessly, and one of the passengers onboard drowned because the boat rental company failed to provide enough life jackets or flotation devices, both the operator and the rental company may be legally liable.
At Bisnar Chase, our team will thoroughly investigate the accident to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
Comparative Negligence
In some instances, the injured victim’s actions may have contributed to the accident to some degree. Even if you were partly at fault, you can still take legal action and win compensation for your injuries.
California’s comparative negligence law still allows you to seek damages, though the compensation you receive will be reduced by your level of fault. For example, if you are judged to be 20% at fault, your settlement or award will be reduced by 20%.
Our experts will work with you to ensure you get the best possible results from your case, no matter the circumstances of your accident.
Do You Need a Lawyer After a Boat Accident?
The legal process can be a minefield, and you need the right legal team on your side to ensure you get the justice you deserve after a boat accident.
In most cases, an initial claim will be made against the at-fault party’s insurance policy. All rental companies and boat owners will carry insurance that covers accidents and injuries.
- Our team will conduct an investigation into your accident.
- We will set a settlement target based on your injuries and damages.
- We will file your initial claim and conduct all negotiations with insurers.
- Bisnar Chase will pay any upfront fees required.
If the insurance company contests liability or refuses to meet at a fair amount, we may be forced to file a lawsuit. When a case enters litigation, we will prepare for trial. It may never get that far – a settlement can still be agreed upon – but we need to assemble evidence and be prepared.
- Our team will handle all communication with the defense.
- We will build a strong case, collecting documentation, interviewing witnesses, conducting depositions, and working with experts and investigators.
- While most firms avoid trials due to the costs and risks, our team is experienced and has an excellent track record. We will not shy away from the courtroom if that is what’s best for your case.
- We advance all the costs necessary to win your case. You pay nothing out of pocket; our fees come from the final settlement. If we don’t win, you pay nothing.
The legal process can be lengthy, especially if a lawsuit is filed. But Bisnar Chase will work tirelessly for you. We know how difficult the aftermath of an accident can be, and we’re ready to fight for your rights.
How Much is a Riverside Boat Accident Case Worth?
The value of your personal injury claim depends on the severity of your injuries and the amount of loss you suffered. Boating accident claims can range from a few thousand dollars to a seven- or eight-figure settlement or verdict.
Factors that impact your settlement or verdict include:
- Your medical expenses.
- Lost wages associated with your injury or subsequent treatment.
- Pain and suffering.
- PTSD and emotional trauma.
- Property damage.
- Potential future rehabilitation and medical needs.
All of the attorneys at Bisnar Chase are trial lawyers with decades of combined experience in handling complex cases and litigation. We are not paid unless we win your case, so we are highly motivated to get you the best compensation for your injuries.
An experienced boat accident lawyer in Riverside, like those at Bisnar Chase, will fight for you, advance the costs in your personal injury case, and work to reduce your medical bills and expenses so that you keep more of what we recover.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
California personal injury attorneys typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you get paid. There is no upfront cost to you if we take on your boat accident case. Upon finalizing the case, the law firm will receive approximately 33% of what it won; the rest goes to the injured plaintiff.
What is the Maximum Contingency Fee in California?
The maximum contingency fee in California is 40% of the total amount recovered for most personal injury cases. However, there are some exceptions. For example, the maximum contingency fee for medical malpractice cases is 33 1/3%.
Specific maximum limits on contingency fees in California:
Personal injury cases: 40%
Medical malpractice cases: 33 1/3%
Products liability cases: 40%
Wrongful death cases: 40%
Consumer protection cases: 20%
These percentages are capped by law to ensure that clients are treated fairly. A 33.3% fee is standard for most injury cases, but that might rise to 40% if a case goes to trial, due to the considerable costs and resources required.
This may seem like a lot. But studies show that the average compensation received when working with the right lawyer versus going it alone is substantially larger, even after accounting for the fees. We trust in our abilities to secure the maximum compensation for you.
What To Do Right After a Boating Accident
- Check for injuries. The first priority is to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Check for injuries and provide first aid if necessary. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 immediately.
- Move the boat(s) to a safe location. If the boat is still in operation, move it to a safe location away from other boats and swimmers. Before you do this, and if it’s safe, take photos and video of the accident scene before moving the boats so you don’t lose evidence.
- Exchange information with the other boaters involved. Get the names, addresses, and insurance information of the other boaters involved in the accident. This information will be important if you need to file a claim later.
- Take pictures and video of the damage. Document your injuries and the damages to the boat(s). This will be crucial evidence in your case.
- File a police report with the authorities. In most cases, you must file a statement with the authorities after a boating accident. This report will help investigate the accident’s cause and determine who is at fault.
- Seek follow-up medical attention. Even if you don’t think you are injured, it is essential to seek medical attention after a boating accident. Some injuries, such as concussions, may not be immediately apparent.
- Contact an experienced boat accident attorney. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and represent you in the personal injury claim.
- Do not admit fault to the other boater, insurance, or the authorities. This can be used against you to reduce your compensation. Wait and discuss the details with your attorney.
- Keep a copy of all records related to the accident, including the police report, medical records, and insurance information.
Injuries Suffered in Riverside Watercraft Accidents
Injuries suffered in a boating accident can be devastating. Boats and personal watercraft do not have seat belts or airbags, so passengers can get thrown into the water in even a low-speed collision.
Even a slip or trip accident onboard a boat can cause a serious fall and severe injuries. The most dangerous scenarios, however, involve reckless boat operators who are traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of the collision.
Some of the injuries suffered in boating accidents include:
- Head injuries or traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Back and neck injuries
- Internal trauma
- Burn injuries
- Drowning
- Amputation
Wrongful Death Boat Accidents
When a boat accident results in fatal injuries or death, the surviving family of the victim may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault parties.
In many ways, this is similar to a personal injury lawsuit. The family members can seek compensation for a range of factors, including:
- The pain and suffering of their loved one.
- Funeral and burial costs.
- The loss of financial support.
- Loss of companionship, love, and emotional support.
Losing a loved one too soon due to negligence is tragic, and it can be hard to recover from. A wrongful death lawsuit is often less about the money and more to do with holding wrongdoers accountable and seeing a measure of justice done.
Short and Long-Term Damages From Boat Accidents
Immediately after a boating, watercraft accident, victims will, in the majority of cases, need medical attention. Those who have suffered severe injuries may need surgery or even lengthy hospitalization. These victims may lose income as a result of missing work while healing. We see these same types of injuries in swimming pool accidents as well.
Boating accident victims may also need costly rehabilitation services to regain strength and mobility or cosmetic surgery to repair scars.
If the symptoms are severe, it may be a struggle to return to normalcy, and the victim’s family may feel burdened with their new responsibilities. In other words, a boating accident can turn the life of the victim and the victim’s family completely upside down.
This is why it is important for victims to understand their legal rights and options. Our top-rated boat accident attorneys in Riverside have decades of experience and are familiar with all California courts. Call (951) 530-3711 for a free case evaluation.
Top 9 Boating Accident Prevention and Safety
There is little you can do to control the behavior of other boaters, but you can reduce your chances of being injured in a watercraft or boating accident by practicing safe habits.
- The first rule is to never get on the water when you are intoxicated.
- Never get in a boat when you know that the operator may be impaired. The probability of being involved in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved.
- Studies have also shown that the affect of alcohol is exacerbated by external effects such as sun and wind.
- Be weather-wise. Always check local weather conditions before you get on the water.
- If you notice darkening clouds, rough winds, choppy waves or sudden drops in temperature, it is best to play it safe by getting off the water.
- Have a comprehensive pre-departure checklist to make sure no boating safety rules or precautions have been forgotten. Use common sense. Operate at safe speed.
- Slow down especially in crowded areas. Be alert at all times and steer clear of larger vessels. Be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids.
- Make sure everyone on your vessel is wearing a life jacket.
- It is always a good idea to take a boating course. It is important to be educated, aware and prepared for every circumstance that might arise. You can take a course at a local community college or utilize Online tutorials.
The U.S. Coast Guard provides a free vessel check. Make use of it. They will provide a specialist to check your boat and offer helpful boating safety tips and recommendations.
2025 Top-Rated Riverside Boat Accident Lawyers Near You
Injured victims of boating or watercraft accidents should carefully document all of their damages and losses.
An experienced Riverside boating accident lawyer, such as the skilled attorneys at Bisnar Chase, who have successfully handled similar cases, will be able to guide you through the complex proceedings and help ensure that you are fairly and fully compensated for your losses.
We have been representing injury victims and their families throughout the Inland Empire area for decades. We offer superior representation and take pride in helping members of our community seek justice. Contact us today for a free consultation with no obligations and find out how we can help.
Contact our expert team of Riverside boat accident lawyers by calling (951) 530-3711. You can also send us an email or send a message through our 24/7 website live chat. We are here to help and look forward to hearing from you.
Brian Chase
Articles and blogs have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
Serving California Since 1978
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated personal injury law firm with a national reputation. The firm has been in business since 1978 and has represented thousands of clients. Based in Newport Beach and with offices across California, Bisnar Chase has recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts, emphasizing superior client representation above all.
