Boating Accidents
A careless boat operator can turn a summer day on the water into a life-changing injury. If you or a loved one was hurt in a boating or personal watercraft accident, we're here to help.
Long Island is surrounded by water, and every summer thousands of people head out on the Great South Bay, Long Island Sound and the Atlantic. Boating should be one of the best parts of living here — but when an operator is careless, distracted, speeding or impaired, a day on the water can end in a collision, an ejection, a propeller strike or a drowning. Injuries on the water are often severe, and help can be far away.
At Wiss Law Firm, we represent passengers, swimmers, water-sport participants and other boaters injured because of someone else's negligence. We know how boating claims differ from ordinary accident cases, and we work to secure the compensation our clients need to recover.
Why Choose Wiss Law Firm
Local Knowledge. We know Long Island's waterways, marinas and boating communities, and we understand how accidents on these waters happen.
Maritime & State Law Experience. Boating cases can involve both New York law and federal maritime law. We identify which rules apply and use them to protect your claim.
No Fee Unless We Win. You pay nothing up front. We advance the costs of your case and are only paid if we recover compensation for you.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Depending on what happened, a boating injury claim may be brought against the boat operator, the boat owner, a rental or charter company, a marina, or the manufacturer of a defective vessel, engine or safety device. In New York, a boat owner can generally be held responsible for injuries caused by someone operating the boat with the owner's permission — which often means there is an insurance policy available to compensate injured victims.
Accidents on navigable waters may fall under federal maritime law, which has its own rules and deadlines. Boat owners sometimes try to use federal law to limit how much they have to pay. An experienced attorney can respond quickly to protect your rights.
Our Legal Services
- I. Free Consultation. We review what happened on the water, explain your rights and outline the path forward for your claim.
- II. Accident Investigation. We gather marine police and Coast Guard reports, witness statements, photos, weather and water conditions, and vessel records to establish fault.
- III. Identifying Insurance Coverage. We track down every available policy — owner, operator, charter, marina and manufacturer — so no source of recovery is overlooked.
- IV. Insurance Negotiations. We handle all communication with insurers and fight for a settlement that covers medical bills, lost income and your pain and suffering.
- V. Litigation & Trial Representation. If a fair settlement isn't offered, our trial attorneys are prepared to take your case to court.
Types of Cases We Handle
Common Causes & Injuries
Many boating accidents are caused by operator inattention, excessive speed, inexperience, alcohol use, failure to keep a proper lookout, overloading, and missing or defective life jackets and safety equipment. The resulting injuries can include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, deep lacerations and amputations from propellers, hypothermia and near-drowning injuries.
Compensation may include medical expenses, future care, lost wages, pain and suffering and, in fatal accidents, damages for the victim's family through a wrongful death claim.
Deadlines vary. Different time limits apply depending on whether New York or federal maritime law governs your case, and some deadlines can be very short. Speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a boating accident?
Get medical care first. If you can, note the boat names and registration numbers, get contact information for operators and witnesses, take photos, and make sure the accident is reported to marine police or the Coast Guard. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers before speaking with an attorney.
I was a guest on a friend's boat. Can I still file a claim?
Yes. Claims are typically paid by the owner's boat insurance, not out of your friend's pocket. Many of our clients were injured as guests on someone else's boat.
Does it matter that the operator wasn't drunk?
No. Intoxication is a common cause, but any careless operation — speeding, distraction, poor lookout or inexperience — can support a negligence claim.
How much does it cost to hire Wiss Law Firm?
Nothing up front. We work on a contingency basis — we're only paid if we recover compensation for you.
Injured on the water? Don't wait. Contact Wiss Law Firm today for a free consultation — let us help you secure the justice and compensation you deserve. 631-201-8200
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What Our Clients Say
★★★★★
From the first free consultation to the settlement check, everything was exactly as promised. No fee until they won — and they won.
★★★★★
Every call was returned the same day. Every question got a straight answer. That alone put them above every other firm I spoke to.
★★★★★
I was hurt at a casino out of state and had no idea my claim had to be filed in tribal court. Jeremy knew the forum inside and out. Grateful I found him.
★★★★★
A true trial attorney — prepared, sharp, and relentless. The other side settled because they knew he was ready for court.
★★★★★
After my construction accident I was overwhelmed with bills and paperwork. Wiss Law took on everything so I could focus on healing — and they delivered.
★★★★★
Hablan español y me explicaron todo con paciencia. Me sentí acompañado durante todo el proceso. Los recomiendo totalmente.
★★★★★
Professional, responsive, and honest from day one. I always knew where my case stood, and the outcome changed my family's life.
★★★★★
They knew exactly how the insurance company would respond before it happened. The result was far more than the first offer I was pressured to take.
★★★★★
Jeremy took my call the same day of my accident and walked me through every step. He treated me like family and never stopped fighting for me. I could not have asked for a better advocate.
★★★★★
From the first free consultation to the settlement check, everything was exactly as promised. No fee until they won — and they won.
★★★★★
Every call was returned the same day. Every question got a straight answer. That alone put them above every other firm I spoke to.
★★★★★
I was hurt at a casino out of state and had no idea my claim had to be filed in tribal court. Jeremy knew the forum inside and out. Grateful I found him.
★★★★★
A true trial attorney — prepared, sharp, and relentless. The other side settled because they knew he was ready for court.
★★★★★
After my construction accident I was overwhelmed with bills and paperwork. Wiss Law took on everything so I could focus on healing — and they delivered.
★★★★★
Hablan español y me explicaron todo con paciencia. Me sentí acompañado durante todo el proceso. Los recomiendo totalmente.
★★★★★
Professional, responsive, and honest from day one. I always knew where my case stood, and the outcome changed my family's life.
★★★★★
They knew exactly how the insurance company would respond before it happened. The result was far more than the first offer I was pressured to take.
★★★★★
Jeremy took my call the same day of my accident and walked me through every step. He treated me like family and never stopped fighting for me. I could not have asked for a better advocate.