South Carolina Boat Accident Lawyer

Locals and tourists frequent South Carolina to enjoy the weather and the water activities. With 30% of the Palmetto State being made up of water, water activities like boating, jet skiing, swimming, kiteboarding, and other water sports are extremely popular. In fact, there are over 500,000 registered boats in South Carolina, a ratio of 1 boat per 10 people, according to The Post and Courier. With the volume of boats on SC waterways, boat accidents are sadly not uncommon.

If you or a loved one was hurt in a South Carolina boating accident, the attorneys at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC are here to help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve. Whether you were a passenger on a boat or were injured while in the water, you may be entitled to compensation for your physical, financial, and emotional damages. Our team is fueled by the passion of getting justice for our clients in every way that we can, and will ensure you get the support and justice you need moving forward.

With hundreds of 5-star client reviews and a history of success inside and outside of the courtroom, you can trust that we have your back. For a free case evaluation directly with an award-winning lawyer, call our office today at (803) 888-2200 or complete our secure online form and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.

Common Causes of South Carolina Boat Accidents

With decades of combined experience, our attorneys have found that there are a large number of boat accident causes. From driver inattention to mechanical failures, the cause of boat accidents can be tricky to identify and difficult to prove under SC law without an experienced attorney. Here are some of the common causes of boat wrecks in South Carolina.

Drunk Driving

According to the United States Coast Guard, drunk boating is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, accounting for 16% of all total boating fatalities in 2022. Operating any water vehicle while intoxicated – whether it be a pleasure boat or commercial boat – poses a significant risk to others on the water.

Distracted Driving

Just like on the roadways, there are rules that boaters must follow. When they fail to pay attention to those rules while operating a vessel, they can be considered negligent and held liable for any accidents and resulting damages they caused. When a driver is not paying attention to the water, whether they broke a known boating law or an unwritten standard, they can be found at-fault. Drivers of a boat should not be using electronics, eating, drinking, or smoking while operating a boat, as these are distractions that take their attention, eyes, and hands away from the water.

Driver Inexperience

Inexperienced boating can lead to many types of accidents. Many people believe that driving a boat is easier than it actually is. Inexperienced drivers may lack knowledge around local regulations, not understand warning signs of equipment failure, and make poor decisions that can result in serious consequences.

Hitting Stationary Objects

Unlike typical motor vehicles, boats do not have breaks. This can cause some boat drivers to have difficulty steering clear of stationary objects. This can include crashing into other boats that are anchored, pillars, bridges, docks, rocks, and other objects. This can be especially dangerous if the driver hits an object at a high speed.

Improper Lookout

If a driver fails to lookout for potential hazards while operating a vessel, it can lead to many forms of boating accidents. This includes potentially hitting other vessels, jet skis, and even swimmers.

Speeding

When a boat is excessively speeding and gets into an oftentimes avoidable accident, the consequences can be very serious, even fatal.

Poor Weather Conditions

Weather conditions such as strong wind and large waves can contribute to boat accidents.

While these are some common contributing factors in South Carolina boating accidents, there are many other things that can contribute to these crashes. Our experienced legal team will collect data and many forms of evidence to determine what happened, prove negligence, and fully optimize your claim to ensure you get the entirety of what you deserve.

How Common Are Boat Accidents in South Carolina?

South Carolina has over 8,000 miles of rivers, 460,000 acres of lakes, and 3,000 miles of coastline. According to data published by the United States Coast Guard, there were 156 reported recreational boating accidents in South Carolina in 2023 alone. Of those, 23 were fatal, resulting in the death of 24 people.

These numbers were slightly higher than the year prior. In 2022, there were 152 total accidents, with 22 fatal accidents causing 22 deaths.

It’s important to note that the number of fatal accidents has increased every year since 2021.

In 2023, South Carolina ranked the 4th state with the highest number of total boating accidents in the United States, behind Florida (619), California (339), and Texas (189).

What Damages Can You Seek Compensation For After a SC Boat Accident?

The amount of compensation you can recover after a boat accident that left you hurt depends heavily on the specifics of your case. While the list below is a good starting point, we are here to give you more information. Simply contact our office today for a free case evaluation directly with a reputable boating accident attorney.

Economic Damages

Economic damages account for financial losses you suffered as a result of the accident. Typically, there is a monetary value tied to these damages, and they can add up very quickly following an unexpected accident and injury.

Medical Bills

One example of an economic damage that we will work with you to seek compensation for are medical bills. This includes surgery costs, emergency room visits, prescription medication costs, rehabilitation costs such as physical therapy, and more.

Lost Wages

If your injuries keep you out of work, you can seek compensation for that lost time and income.

Future Damages

We will also ensure that any projected future costs associated with the accident are covered. This may include future medical care needs, reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to work in the same capacity, and more.

Property Damage

If, for example, another boater hit your boat and injured you and damaged your boat, you can seek compensation for the damage done to your property.

Other Financial Losses

We will also work with you to seek compensation for any out-of-pocket financial losses related to the accident such as travel expenses, rental car costs, and others.

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages account for losses that resulted from the accident that do not have a direct monetary value.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering is an example of a loss that we will seek compensation for following a boating accident. This includes compensation for physical pain from the injury, medical procedures, and the recovery process.

Scarring and Disfigurement

If the accident left you with permanent scarring or disfigurement such as burns, scars, skin texture changes, loss of extremities, or differently shaped body parts, you can claim compensation for the impact they have on your quality of life and wellbeing.

Disability

If the boat wreck left you with a permanent disability, you can seek compensation for this in your personal injury lawsuit.

Loss of Consortium

In the case of a wrongful death or catastrophic injury, the victims’ loved ones can seek compensation for the loss of the relationship. This covers the emotional trauma of no longer receiving the same love, affection, or companionship.

Types of Boat Accidents Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC Handles

Our law firm handles a wide array of boating accidents across South Carolina.

Boat Collisions
Propeller Strike Injuries
Jet Ski Accidents
Rental Boat Accidents
Swimmer Accidents
Drowning Accidents
Dock Accidents
Marina Accidents
Sailboat Accidents
DUI Boating Accidents
And More.

If you or a loved one has been injured in any sort of boating accident, whether as a passenger or the boat or while in the water, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We are available via phone 24/7 at (803) 888-2200 and are ready to help.

How a South Carolina Boating Accident Attorney Will Help You

There are many benefits to hiring a qualified South Carolina personal injury attorney after a boat accident in South Carolina. With Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC on your side, you can expect our team to:

Identify All Forms of Insurance Coverage Available: Allow our team to investigate and identify all forms of insurance coverage available to compensate you for your physical, financial, and emotional damages.
Keep Your Case Moving Forward: Many times, the insurance company will ignore your communication in hopes that you will give up, accept less than you deserve, or miss the deadline for filing a lawsuit. We won’t let that happen. We fight for you and keep your case moving so you can get the compensation you deserve.
Prove Liability: The most important part of any South Carolina personal injury claim is proving who was liable for the accident. In SC, you can recover compensation as long as you are found to be no more than 50% at-fault for the accident. Our team will gather critical evidence, conduct a thorough investigation, and optimize your claim to prove liability pursuant to South Carolina law.
Negotiate On Your Behalf: With decades of combined experience and a history of strong results, you can trust our lawyers will aggressively negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you get the entirety of what you deserve.
Compassionate, Reliable Guidance: With hundreds of 5-star Google reviews, you can trust that we have your back. We will keep you posted on the status of your case and guide you through the legal process, ensuring you get the justice and support you deserve.

Contact a SC Boat Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one was hurt or lost their life in a boating accident, the lawyers at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC are here for you. You do not have to go through the legal process on your own; in fact, we believe it’s the last thing you should have to worry about. Let our team take on the legal process to secure you with the best outcome possible for the future ahead, while you focus on healing.

Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC is an award-winning and reputable law firm with a reputation of securing justice for clients. To schedule a free case evaluation, simply call our office at (803) 888-2200, email info@ctlawsc.com, or fill out our online contact form.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Boat Accidents?

In South Carolina, you generally have three years from the day of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, acting early allows your legal team to collect and preserve critical evidence to your case.

What Should I Do After a Boat Accident?

Following a boating accident, there are a few steps you should follow.

Ensure everyone’s safety
Report the accident to authorities
Exchange information with the other party or parties involved
Get witness contact information
Get medical attention
Talk to an experienced lawyer

Do Boat Accidents Have to Be Reported in SC?

Boat accidents in South Carolina must be reported within ten days of the accident if it resulted in:

Damage to the vessel
Damage to any other property

Boat accidents must be reported within 48 hours if the accident resulted in:

Injury
Death
Or disappearance

Is Boat Insurance Required Under South Carolina Law?

No, boat insurance is not required in South Carolina.

If you’re injured in an accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company is liable for compensating you, not the individual. You may also be able to rely on your own insurance policies in some instances.

For more information specific to your situation, please contact our office today.