Aerial view of boaters on Lake Allatoona near Calhoun, Georgia

Experienced Representation for Calhoun Boat Accidents

If a boat accident has turned your life upside down, you need a legal team that knows how to fight back. At The McMahan Law Firm, our Calhoun boat accident attorneys have decades of legal experience, a deep knowledge of Georgia boating laws, and the resources needed to hold negligent operators, rental companies, and manufacturers accountable. We’re here to protect your rights and pursue fair compensation. Schedule a free initial consultation to see what your case could be worth.

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Boat Accident Lawyer Calhoun, GA

An enjoyable day on Carters Lake, Lake Allatoona, the Coosawattee River, or any of Calhoun’s nearby waterways can turn dangerous or even deadly in an instant. Heavy boat traffic, inexperienced operators, and reckless boaters all contribute to a higher risk of collisions and severe injuries. Boat accidents are rarely simple. They often involve complex liability issues, different insurance policies, and multiple at-fault parties, including boat operators, owners, rental companies, and even manufacturers.

To receive fair compensation for injuries and property damage, it’s important to work with an experienced boating accident attorney who can fully investigate your claim and uncover all sources of compensation. With more than 60 years of combined experience, The McMahan Law Firm is proud to serve boaters in Calhoun and northwest Georgia by providing personalized advice and legal representation.

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Getting Help Is Simple

Recovering from your injuries is difficult, but we’ll make the process of recovering damages relating to your Calhoun accident as easy as possible for you.

You May Deserve to Be Paid

Being injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s reckless behavior and getting left with the bill isn’t fair. You deserve compensation for what you’ve been through. We’ll fight for every penny you’re entitled to.

No Fee Until We Win

You shouldn’t have to worry about costly legal fees before securing help with your claim. That’s why you won’t owe anything upfront unless we win for you. This begins with your free case review.

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Georgia Boat Accident Facts

Understanding how and why boat accidents happen can help victims recognize negligence and strengthen their claims. Here are some key facts about boating accidents in Georgia and the United States.

Open motorboats are involved in more accidents than any other type of watercraft. They account for about 46% of all boat accidents. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics, leading causes of motorboat accidents include:

  • Operator inattention
  • Improper lookout
  • Operator inexperience
  • Violating navigation rules
  • Equipment failure
  • Excessive speed
  • Alcohol use
  • Weather and other causes

Boat passengers are vulnerable to injuries because they have no restraints and limited body protection. This means they can be thrown into hard surfaces or ejected from the boat. The most common causes of boating injuries include:

  • Collision with another vessel
  • Collision with a fixed object
  • Grounding
  • Watersports towing accidents
  • Ejection from a vessel
  • Impact with a vessel
  • Capsizing
  • Falls overboard
  • Fire or explosion (less common)
  • Propeller strikes (less common)

Boating accidents often lead to serious injuries if riders are thrown from the vessel, hit hard surfaces, or are exposed to dangerous water conditions. Some of the most common injuries include:

  • Head and brain injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Back and spinal cord injuries
  • Cuts and bruises
  • Drowning or near-drowning
  • Internal injuries
  • Burns
  • Hypothermia

For vessels over 12 feet, 93 boat accidents were reported in Georgia in 2024. This includes 11 fatalities and over 40 injury accidents. Capsizing and falls overboard are the most common causes of fatalities, followed by collisions and swamping. If a loved one died in a boating accident, the representative for the person’s estate may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation.

Who Is Responsible for Boat Accidents?

Determining who is responsible for a boat accident can be complex. Because boat insurance is not mandatory, victims may need to sue the at-fault party or find other available insurance policies. Multiple individuals or businesses may share liability depending on how the accident happened.

  • Boat operators may be responsible for reckless boating, boating under the influence, or failing to keep a proper lookout.
  • Boat owners can be held liable if they allowed an unqualified or impaired person to operate the boat.
  • Rental companies may be responsible for failing to maintain the vessel, renting to unqualified operators, or failing to provide proper life jackets and safety equipment.
  • Restaurants and businesses that provided alcohol to a visibly impaired boater can share responsibility under the state’s dramshop laws.
  • A head of household may be responsible for accidents caused by their spouse or children through Georgia’s family purpose doctrine.

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What to Do After a Georgia Boat Accident

If you’re involved in a boat accident in Georgia, knowing what to do next can protect your health and strengthen a potential legal claim. It’s important to act quickly since evidence can change quickly on the water. Here are a few general tips to protect your rights.

  1. Get to safety. Ensure that everyone on board has access to a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
  2. Call 911 if the accident involves injuries, a man overboard, fuel hazards, a collision, or a risk of capsizing.
  3. Report the accident to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources if it caused injuries or more than $2,000 in property damage.
  4. Exchange information with the other boater, including name, contact info, boat registration numbers, and insurance.
  5. If possible, take photos or videos of the accident scene and any equipment issues or property damage.
  6. Once you are safe, seek medical attention even if you think you’re fine. Some injuries may appear hours or days after the accident.
  7. Report the accident to your insurance company, but avoid making a recorded statement until you speak to an attorney.
  8. Retain all evidence related to the accident, including bills, benefits statements, and insurance correspondence.
  9. If you were in a rented boat, report the incident to the outfitter as soon as possible, and review copies of the rental agreement and any liability waivers.
  10. Speak to a lawyer to understand your rights and handle potential insurance issues that could affect your claim.

Our Results Speak For Themselves!

Workers’ Comp/Third-Party

$8,000,000.00+

Motorcycle Accident

$1,250,000.00

Motorcycle Accident

$1,000,000.00

Brain Injury

$950,000.00

Truck Accident

$850,000.00

Motorcycle Accident

$800,000.00

Truck Accident

$500,000.00

Motorcycle Accident

$500,000.00

Car Accident

$230,000.00

Workers’ Comp

$225,000.00

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Do I Need a Boat Accident Lawyer?

Yes, you should absolutely consider hiring an attorney if you experienced personal injuries or property damage during a boat accident near Calhoun. It doesn’t matter if you are a boat owner, were renting a pontoon for the day, or were simply a passenger. Boat accident cases are far more complex than typical car or truck accident claims. They often involve different insurance policies, unique rules of legal responsibility, and specific boater safety regulations.

Here’s how a boating accident lawyer at The McMahan Law Firm can help you navigate the process.

      1. Investigation: We will investigate the cause of the accident and gather supporting evidence, including video footage, law enforcement reports, witness statements, and more.
      2. Burden of Proof: When reviewing evidence, our goal is to meet the burden of proof needed to prove that the other party’s actions caused your injuries or property damage.
      3. Insurance: Boat accidents often involve complex insurance issues. Our team will identify all responsible parties and their insurance policies to ensure that no coverage is overlooked.
      4. Case Valuation: Working with an attorney is especially helpful when valuing your damages. This includes medical bills and intangible losses, such as emotional distress.
      5. Demand: Our team will handle all communications with the insurance company, from preparing a detailed demand letter outlining your damages to negotiating a fair settlement.
      6. Litigation: If insurance isn’t available, coverage is insufficient, or the at-fault party denies responsibility, our attorneys can file a lawsuit to secure a judgment in civil court.
      7. Advocacy: An attorney is an advocate who will advise you of your rights, explain your legal options, and protect you from tactics that could devalue your claim.
      8. Deadlines: Our attorneys can help you meet all filing deadlines to ensure that you don’t lose your right to compensation.

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Our Boat Accident Lawyer in Calhoun, GA

Tennessee Personal Injury Lawyer Jay Kennamer

Attorney James Kennamer

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Calhoun Boat Accident FAQs

In Georgia, you generally have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim (Ga. Code Ann. § 9-3-33). If you’re filing a claim for property damage only, you have 4 years from the date of the accident (Ga. Code Ann. § 9-3-32). It’s important to act quickly as the quality of evidence can decrease quickly. Contact a Calhoun boat accident lawyer as soon as possible to preserve evidence and build a strong claim.

If the accident was caused by a negligent boat operator, rental company, or manufacturer, you may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages covering past and future medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and changes to your quality of life. If the accident caused a wrongful death, family members may be able to recover additional compensation for the loss of a loved one.

A full investigation is often required to prove fault following a boat or jet ski accident. In general, you must provide evidence that the at-fault party violated Georgia’s boater safety laws or failed to operate their vessel in a reasonably safe manner. A boating accident attorney can help you gather necessary evidence, including:

  • Accident reports
  • Witness statements
  • Photos/videos of the accident and injuries
  • Property damage
  • Toxicology reports, if alcohol was involved
  • Accident reconstruction statements

Georgia follows the doctrine of modified comparative negligence, which means that you can recover compensation as long as you don’t bear the majority of the blame. If you’re less than 50% at fault, you can recover damages that are reduced by your level of responsibility.

Boat collisions are different from car accidents and other claims because boat insurance is not required for privately owned vessels in Georgia, although many operators carry it. If the boater has insurance, it may include:

  • Liability coverage for injuries caused to others
  • Medical payments for injuries to passengers
  • Collision coverage for property damage
  • Uninsured/underinsured boater coverage

If the at-fault boater didn’t have liability insurance, you may be able to recover compensation from the person’s homeowner’s insurance policy (for small boats and personal watercraft), an umbrella insurance policy, or liability coverage provided by a rental company. A boat accident lawyer can identify all applicable insurance policies so that you don’t miss out on compensation.

Under Georgia law, it’s illegal to operate a boat under the influence of drugs or with a BAC of 0.08 or higher. If the operator was drunk or acting recklessly, such as speeding, ignoring no-wake zones, or weaving through traffic, it could strengthen your claim. You may be able to recover punitive damages for gross negligence or sue an establishment that overserved the operator.

Yes. Georgia boat rental companies must provide well-maintained equipment, offer basic safety instructions, enforce age requirements, and avoid renting to intoxicated individuals. If they fail to follow these rules, they may be liable for your injuries. You may also have a valid claim against the manufacturer or an at-fault boat owner or operator.

Speak to an Attorney About Your Boat Accident Case for Free

If you or a loved one were injured in a Georgia boat accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. At The McMahan Law Firm, we have decades of legal experience, extensive resources, and dedicated staff members who are prepared to handle the most complex claims.

We’ve proudly served clients in Calhoun and northwest Georgia since 1992. We’re ready to stand up for you. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review. You don’t pay a dime unless we win. Choose Board Certified – Not Billboard.

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