Boat Accident Divider
Practice Areas

Minneapolis Boat Accident Lawyer

Injuries sustained from boating accidents can be life changing not only for the victim, but also for families, dependents and the at-fault party. Unfortunately, many of these accidents are a result of negligence and could have been prevented. If negligence played a part in your boat accident, you may be eligible to file a damages lawsuit.

At TSR Injury Law, we have decades of experience representing Minnesota injury victims. Our co-founder and managing partner Steve Terry is a member of the Minnesota Association for Justice’s Board of Governors and served as president of the organization from August 2014 to August 2015.

Contact our Minneapolis boat accident lawyers today for a free review of your damages claim. If you have a case and wish to move forward, there are no upfront attorney’s fees and we only get paid if we are successful obtaining compensation for your case.

Call today at (612) TSR-TIME. We are available 24/7.

Am I Eligible to File a Case?

If your lawyer can determine the four elements of negligence may have been involved in your boating accident, you may have a case. The four elements of negligence include:

  • Duty of care – The at-fault party had a legal duty to act in a reasonable manner to prevent harm to others.
  • Breach of duty of care – The at-fault party failed to uphold his or her duty to act in a reasonable manner.
  • Causation –As a result of the breach of duty, the at-fault party’s actions caused you to suffer an injury.
  • Damages – The injury you suffered from the at-fault party’s actions or failure to act resulted to damages, such as medical expenses.

These four elements can be present in a number of different kinds of boating accidents, including accidents caused by the following:

  • Operating the boat at high speed
  • Hitting a big wave or wake at high speed
  • Failing to properly equip the boat with safety gear
  • Operating an overcrowded boat or vessel
  • Boating in hazardous weather
  • Mechanical defects
  • Boating under the influence
  • Colliding with other boats or fixed objects (docks, buoys, etc.)

To help determine if you have a valid case, the Minneapolis boat accident lawyers from TSR Injury Law can review the merits of your claim and help to determine if there is a legal solution available.

Deadlines for Filing a Boat Accident Claim in Minnesota

In Minnesota, injury victims may be eligible to pursue compensation up to two years from the date of the accident (Minnesota Statutes §541.07(1)). Missing this deadline may affect your ability to pursue compensation.

However, as each case is unique, there may be some exceptions to this rule. An attorney can help to investigate the specifics of your incident  to determine how much time he or she may have to file a claim on your behalf.

Fill out a Free Case Evaluation form to schedule your free consultation.

What is the Value of My Case?

Each case is different. You can learn a lot more about the value of your claim by contacting an experienced Minneapolis boat accident lawyer.

If we find you have a valid case, we may be able to pursue many different forms of compensation, including, but not limited to:

  • Past, current, and future medical bills
  • Medical assistive equipment
  • Physical therapy
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage

Speak to qualified lawyer from our firm today to learn more about how we may be able to help you.

How Can a Boat Accident Lawyer Help?

Injury cases that are handled by a plaintiff personal injury lawyer produce more financial compensation compared to those that do not involve an attorney. At TSR Injury Law, our lawyers have a proven track record of helping injury victims obtain the compensation needed to cover costly damages and move forward with their lives.

Our experienced Minneapolis boat accident lawyers are prepared to handle each aspect of the complex legal process on your behalf. We can initiate an investigation, collect evidence to support your claim and handle all legal paperwork. We can also handle settlement negotiations on your behalf and be prepared to go to court to obtain fair compensation if necessary.

If we determine that you have a case, we are ready to apply our skills and knowledge to your potential case.

Who May be Liable for My Boating Accident?

Various people could be responsible in boating accidents, depending on what caused the accident. For example, in a collision involving two motorboats, both boat operators may hold partial fault. In accidents involving sailboats and motorboats, the motorboat operator is more likely to be held liable because of the power and speed advantage from having a motor.

Some of the parties that could potentially be held responsible after a boat accident include:

  • The boat owner – For example, if the boat owner knowingly loans the boat to an inexperienced operator, he or she can be held liable.
  • The boat manufacturer – If defective equipment caused the accident, fault may fall on the boat’s manufacturer. For example – if a passenger falls off of the back of a jet ski due to the lack of back support, they may fall into the path of the Jet Ski’s jet wash. This may lead to life threatening injuries.
  • The boat rental company – The company can be held liable for renting out to minors or for not properly maintaining the vessel.
  • The boat passengers – If the passengers’ reckless behavior prevents the operator from safely operating the boat or one passenger causes injury or to another, the passenger may be found at fault.

Partial Fault for a Boating Accident

When the victim is partially to blame for an accident, he or she may still be able to collect compensation from other involved parties if he or she can prove negligence. However, you cannot pursue compensation from anyone who is less at fault for the accident than you (Minnesota Statutes 604.01).

This law is one of the many reasons you may like to strongly consider meeting with a licensed attorney to discuss your claim. A Minneapolis boat accident lawyer from our firm can review the details of your situation and help you determine who may be liable for your injuries and if you may be able to pursue compensation.

Contact us today to discuss your claim by filling out this Free Case Evaluation form.

Types of Boating Accidents

Some common water activities in which a boating accident can occur include:

  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Jet skiing
  • Wake boarding
  • Tubing
  • Canoeing
  • Water skiing
  • Swimming

When an accident occurs, it can cause serious and potentially permanent injuries, such as:

  • Hypothermia
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Drowning or near drowning
  • Electrocution
  • Carbon monoxide exposure
  • Paralysis
  • Puncture wounds
  • Amputations
  • Broken bones
  • Burn injuries

Speak to a licensed lawyer today. We are here to help.

What to Do After a Boating Accident

The state of Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources suggests taking the steps below after an accident:

  • Immediately call 9-1-1
  • Stop at the scene of the accident and assist others in danger, if you can do so safely
  • Do not risk your life or the lives of others to save equipment
  • Exchange information with other involved parties, including names and boat numbers

Accidents involving injured people, fatalities or property damage of $2,000 or more must be reported to the county sheriff. They will investigate and file a report on the accident. Be sure to ask for a copy of the report to use as evidence for your potential boat accident claim.

Contact a Minneapolis Boat Accident Lawyer for Assistance Today

Discussing a claim with an experienced lawyer can help victims to make a more-informed decision regarding their pursuit of a damages lawsuit.

Schedule your free consultation with a licensed lawyer from our firm today. If you have a case, we may be able to pursue compensation. There are no upfront costs or attorney’s fees. We only get paid if we obtain favorable compensation for your claim.

Visit us at our office at 7760 France Ave. South #820. We are just a five-minute drive from Centennial Lakes Park, or call us to set up an appointment for your free consultation.

Call us right now at (612) TSR-TIME or fill out a Free Case Evaluation form.

Call Now
Call now!

(612) TSR-TIME

Contact us and
schedule a FREE initial case evaluation

Free Case Review

No Fees Unless We Win

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.