The Law Office of Sean M. Wilson Helps South Carolina Boating Accident Victims Fight for Justice
From Lake Murray's 50,000 acres and Lake Marion's vast waters to the coastal regions stretching from Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head, South Carolina's waterways attract thousands of boaters each year. But when operators fail to navigate these diverse waters safely—whether dealing with Lake Marion's hidden stumps, the Intracoastal Waterway's heavy traffic, or the coast's challenging tides and currents—devastating accidents can occur. The Law Office of Sean M. Wilson helps victims throughout South Carolina's lakes, rivers, and coastal waters understand their legal rights and pursue the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.
Common Types of Boating Accidents We Handle
Our South Carolina boating accident lawyers represent victims in a wide range of watercraft incidents that occur on our state's lakes, rivers, and coastal waters:
- Vessel collisions. When boats crash into other vessels, the results can be catastrophic. These accidents often occur due to operator inattention, particularly in crowded areas during peak boating season.
- Fixed object impacts. Many accidents involve collisions with docks, channel markers, or partially submerged objects. Operators may misjudge distances, fail to notice markers, or be unfamiliar with local hazards.
- Wake accidents. Smaller vessels are particularly vulnerable to capsizing when hit by large wakes. These accidents often occur when operators fail to adjust their speed to minimize wake or when they pass too closely to other boats.
- Propeller injuries. When passengers fall overboard, exposed propellers can cause severe or fatal injuries. These accidents frequently involve water skiers, tubers, or swimmers who get too close to running engines.
- Bridge and power line accidents. Some of the most serious incidents occur when operators fail to account for bridge clearance heights or overhead power lines. These accidents are common when water levels are higher than normal or when boating in unfamiliar areas.
- Fuel fires and explosions. Improper fueling procedures, fuel system leaks, or electrical system failures can lead to devastating fires or explosions.
- Swamping and flooding. Vessels can take on water due to overloading, improper weight distribution, or operation in weather conditions beyond the boat's capabilities.
Understanding Liability in South Carolina Boating Accidents
In South Carolina, multiple parties may share liability for a single accident, and each may have different insurance coverage that could contribute to your recovery. Our legal team examines all potential sources of liability to ensure you have the best chance of receiving full compensation for your injuries.
Operator Responsibility and Liability
Boat operators bear primary responsibility for safe vessel operation. Operator negligence often involves distracted operation, such as using phones, adjusting music, or engaging with passengers instead of maintaining a proper lookout.
Boat Owner Liability
Even if they weren't operating the vessel, owners may be held responsible for accidents. This includes letting someone operate their vessel without proper licensing or experience, not providing required life jackets, fire extinguishers, or other mandatory safety gear, and failing to perform regular maintenance that could prevent mechanical failures. Owners who knowingly allow an intoxicated person to operate their vessel may also face liability.
Rental Company Obligations
Companies that rent boats and personal watercraft have specific responsibilities to ensure all rental vessels are regularly inspected and maintained. They must provide adequate operation and safety instructions to renters, verify operators meet age requirements and have necessary boating education, and supply all required safety equipment in good working order.
Manufacturer Liability
Boat and equipment manufacturers may be liable when fundamental flaws in vessel or equipment design contribute to accidents. This includes problems in the manufacturing process that create unsafe conditions, failure to provide proper warnings about potential hazards, and defective parts or systems that malfunction during normal use.
Marina and Dock Owner Responsibility
Owners of marine facilities may share liability when they fail to maintain docks, ramps, or other facilities in safe condition. This includes providing proper lighting for nighttime navigation near their facilities and marking underwater obstacles or dangerous conditions.
How Your Actions May Affect Your Claim
South Carolina follows modified comparative negligence rules in boating accident cases. You can recover damages if you're less than 51% responsible for the accident, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Documentation of safety measures you took, such as wearing life jackets and following proper boating protocols, can help counter claims of contributory negligence.
Evidence Needed to Prove Your Boating Accident Claim
Our legal team gathers various types of evidence to build a strong case:
- Accident reports. Official investigation reports provide crucial details about the incident, including initial determinations of fault, operator statements, and documentation of safety violations that may have contributed to the accident.
- Weather data. Documentation of conditions at the time of the accident, including wind speed, visibility, and wave height helps establish whether operators were making reasonable decisions and whether weather played a role in the incident.
- Witness statements. Accounts from passengers, other boaters, or shoreline observers who saw the accident provide vital perspectives on operator behavior, vessel movements, and the sequence of events leading to the collision.
- Photos and videos. Visual evidence of damage, injuries, and accident scene conditions can powerfully demonstrate the severity of the accident and support claims about how the incident occurred and who was at fault.
- Navigation records. GPS data, radar information, or electronic tracking that shows vessel movements can provide indisputable evidence of speeds, course changes, and positioning before and during the accident.
- Maintenance records. Documentation of boat repairs, inspections, and service history can reveal whether proper maintenance was performed and whether known mechanical issues were addressed, which becomes crucial when equipment failure contributes to an accident.
- Medical records. Detailed documentation of your injuries, treatment plans, and projected recovery timeline helps establish the full extent of your damages and future care needs.
- Expert analysis. Reports from accident reconstruction specialists, marine safety experts, and medical professionals provide authoritative support for your claim and help explain complex aspects of the case to insurance adjusters or jurors.
- Communications records. Radio transmissions, emergency calls, and other communications before or after the accident can provide important context about the circumstances leading to the incident.
Comprehensive evidence collection helps us pursue maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.