A boat on a lake in Georgia, with islands surrounding it.

Boating Accidents Can Leave You With Serious Injuries

A day on the water can quickly turn dangerous when boat operators act carelessly or ignore safety rules. Whether you're out on Carters Lake, Lake Conasauga, or another nearby waterway, a serious boating accident can leave you facing medical bills, missed work, and lasting pain. You don’t have to deal with the aftermath alone.

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Boat Accident Lawyer in Dalton

North Georgia’s lakes and rivers draw boaters from across the region, but accidents can and do happen, even in seemingly calm waters. In recent years, Georgia has seen hundreds of boating accidents annually, many of them involving collisions, capsizing, or people falling overboard. Popular spots near Dalton, like Carters Lake, the Coosawattee River, and Lake Chickamauga, are all places where boating injuries can occur due to operator inattention, alcohol use, or failure to follow safety laws.

If you were hurt in a boating accident caused by someone else’s recklessness, a Dalton boat accident lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and more. Our team offers free case reviews and only gets paid if we win for you—so there’s no risk in reaching out to learn your options.

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We Make It Simple

Our law firm strives to make getting help as simple as possible. One call and our team will start reviewing your claim right away. With our help, finding out your legal options has never been easier.

You Deserve Compensation

Insurance companies will always try to pay as little as possible, and they use tactics to trick claimants into accepting less. We’re here to help make sue you get every dollar you may deserve.

No Fees Unless We Win

Because our attorneys work on contingency, you will never pay any upfront fees. In fact, you don’t pay at all unless we win compensation for you.

Types of Boating Accident Compensation

If you’ve been injured in a boating accident, you may be entitled to several types of compensation depending on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the crash.

  • Economic damages cover your measurable financial losses. This includes medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, damage to your boat and other property, and any future expenses related to your injury.
  • Non-economic damages compensate for the physical and emotional toll of your accident. These damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement.

In some cases, punitive damages may also apply. These are not tied to your losses, but are awarded to punish the at-fault party for especially reckless or intentional behavior—such as operating a boat while intoxicated or ignoring posted safety rules.

A Dalton boat accident lawyer can help calculate the full value of your claim and determine what types of compensation you may be eligible to pursue.

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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Understanding Georgia’s Boating Laws

Georgia has specific laws in place to help ensure safety on the water. These regulations cover everything from age restrictions for operating a vessel to rules about life jackets, boating under the influence (BUI), and required equipment. For example, anyone born after January 1, 1998, must complete a boating education course before operating a motorized vessel. Children under 13 must wear a life jacket at all times while on a moving boat, and alcohol limits for boaters are the same as those for drivers—0.08% blood alcohol content.

Violating these laws can lead to serious accidents and legal consequences. If you were injured because someone ignored Georgia’s boating rules, you likely have a strong case for compensation.

Boating Injuries

Boating accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, some of which may be life-altering. Common boating injuries reported in Dalton, Georgia include:

  • Head injuries from falls or collisions
  • Spinal cord and back injuries, especially from high-speed impacts
  • Broken bones and fractures from being thrown or crushed
  • Lacerations and deep cuts from propellers or debris
  • Burns from fires or fuel explosions
  • Hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold water
  • Drowning or near-drowning, often resulting in oxygen deprivation
  • Soft tissue injuries, including sprains and strains
  • Internal injuries that may not be immediately apparent

These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and recovery time. Our team can help you seek compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial losses.

Causes of Boat Accidents

Many boating accidents near Dalton happen because someone failed to follow safety rules or acted carelessly on the water.

Common causes include:

  • Operator inattention or distraction
  • Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Speeding or reckless operation
  • Lack of boating experience or proper training
  • Failure to maintain a lookout
  • Mechanical failures or equipment malfunctions
  • Overloading the vessel or improper weight distribution
  • Hazardous weather or water conditions
  • Collisions with other vessels, docks, or submerged objects

When someone else’s negligence leads to a serious accident, you have the right to explore legal options. A qualified Dalton boat accident lawyer can help determine what caused your accident and who may be held responsible.

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What to Do After Being Injured on a Boat

  1. Get to Safety: If you’re in the water, get back on the boat or to a secure location as soon as possible. If others are injured, help them without putting yourself in further danger.
  2. Call for Help: Use a marine radio or cell phone to contact emergency services. If you’re on a lake or river, notify local authorities or Georgia DNR Law Enforcement.
  3. Provide First Aid: Treat injuries immediately if you can. Stop any bleeding and perform CPR if necessary. Use a first aid kit if available.
  4. Report the Accident: Georgia law requires you to report boating accidents involving serious injuries, death, or significant property damage. File a report with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
  5. Document Everything: Take photos of the boat, injuries, location, and anything that may have contributed to the accident. Get names and contact info from witnesses and other boaters.
  6. Avoid Admitting Fault: Don’t speculate or apologize. Just stick to the facts when speaking to authorities or others involved.
  7. Seek Medical Attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor. Internal injuries and shock aren’t always obvious right away.
  8. Contact a Dalton Boat Accident Lawyer: Before speaking with insurance companies, reach out to a local attorney. A lawyer can protect your rights and help you pursue fair compensation.

Why You Need a Dalton Boat Accident Attorney

After a boating accident, it may be tempting to handle the insurance claim on your own, but doing so can put your recovery at risk. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, deny claims, or pressure you into quick settlements that don’t reflect the full extent of your injuries and losses.

A Dalton boat accident attorney can step in to protect your rights and handle the legal complexities of your case. They gather evidence, determine liability, calculate damages, and negotiate with insurers on your behalf. If necessary, they can take your case to court to fight for what you’re owed.

Without legal guidance, you could miss out on compensation for long-term medical needs, future lost income, and pain and suffering. Don’t leave your financial recovery to chance. Our experienced attorneys can make the difference between a denied claim and a fair settlement.

Choose Board Certified – Not Billboard

Just because it’s on a billboard doesn’t mean it’s the best option. Lawyers who shell out all that money for billboard ads are all talk and no substance. You and your family deserve the legal aid only a board-certified attorney can give you. Attorneys Jay, Brent, and Herbert at The McMahan Law Firm are Board Certified Civil Trial Specialists by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. We have the knowledge and experience you can trust to help you seek maximum compensation for your losses.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Injuries?

In a boating accident, several parties may be legally responsible for your injuries. The boat operator is often the first person investigated, but liability can also fall on boat owners, rental companies, manufacturers, or even event organizers, depending on how the accident happened.

To hold someone liable, your Dalton boat accident lawyer will establish the 4 elements of negligence:

  1. Duty of care: The at-fault party had a responsibility to act safely.
  2. Breach of duty: They failed to meet that responsibility (e.g., boating under the influence).
  3. Causation: Their actions directly caused the accident.
  4. Damages: You suffered actual harm as a result.

Evidence such as witness statements, accident reports, photos, and surveillance or GPS data can help support your claim.
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation if you are less than 50% at fault for the accident, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re found to be 50% or more at fault, you won’t be able to recover damages at all.

A local attorney can help you gather the right evidence and defend against unfair blame so you get the compensation you may deserve.

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What to Expect When You Call Us

When you reach out, your first step is a free consultation with a member of our team. We’ll listen to your story, ask questions about the accident, and let you know whether you may have a case, at no cost to you.

If you decide to move forward, our team will begin a detailed investigation. This includes reviewing accident reports, collecting medical records, speaking with witnesses, and gathering evidence to build a strong claim.

You won’t have to worry about negotiating with insurers. We’ll handle all communications and fight back against lowball settlement offers and delay tactics, so you can focus on recovery.

We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we win compensation for you, either through a settlement or a court award.

Time Is Limited. Don’t Wait to Get Started

In Georgia, you typically have 2 years from the date of a boating accident to file a personal injury claim. That might seem like plenty of time, but the longer you wait, the harder it can be to gather evidence and protect your rights.

Don’t risk missing your chance at compensation. If you’ve been hurt in a boat accident near Dalton, now is the time to act. Our team is ready to review your case for free and help you understand your legal options.

Our Dalton Boat Accident Attorney

Tennessee Personal Injury Lawyer Jay Kennamer

Attorney James Kennamer

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