Boat Accident Attorney in Charleston

Most boaters naturally assume that boats are like cars. They both have the same basic controls, like steering wheels and throttles or accelerators. Furthermore, they are both motor vehicles for legal purposes. But there are some significant differences. Brakes, or more specifically the lack thereof, are a good example. Car drivers can stop moving vehicles almost immediately. But boats must drift to a standstill. Even then, they usually don’t stop entirely. Furthermore, cars and trucks are axled vehicles on pavement which are relatively easy to maneuver. 

That’s not true for a flat boat in the water. There are some similarities, mostly in the area of operator impairment. Some common forms of impairment for both boaters and drivers include: Alcohol/drug use, Distraction, and Serious medical condition. Operators with one of these impairments could be liable for crash damages as a matter of law. The same thing applies to boaters who speed or violate other operational rules. The damages in a boat wreck claim usually include compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.