The Jonesborough area offers many great places to boat and enjoy life on the water, including the Nolichucky River, Boone Lake, and the Clinch River. Floating along on the water while you relax and enjoy time with your friends and family is a popular recreational activity many people enjoy. Sadly, it can all turn tragic instantly if a reckless boat operator slams into you at high speed or overturns the boat you’re traveling in.

Jonesborough boating accidents can cause catastrophic and often life-changing injuries. If someone else was at fault for the accident, you deserve compensation for what happened to you. A personal injury claim is the best way to hold a negligent person accountable for their actions.

If you’ve been hurt in a boating accident in Jonesborough or elsewhere in East Tennessee, our skilled boating accident lawyers want to help you file a personal injury claim and seek maximum compensation for your losses due to someone else’s negligence. The Terry Law Firm is a Jonesborough personal injury law firm that has been helping catastrophically injured people in East Tennessee since 1960. The boat accident attorneys at our firm can help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Contact The Terry Law Firm today for a free consultation about your rights after a boating accident.

Why You Should Choose Our Jonesborough Boat Accident Lawyers

Why should you choose us to represent you in your boating accident case? The Terry Law Firm has a team of qualified personal injury lawyers backed by a proven track record of winning results, including $1 million for a past client who was injured in a boating accident and a confidential settlement for another client injured in a watercraft accident.

We deliver big-city know-how, relying on over 90 years of combined legal experience, combined with the personalized attention only a small-town firm can provide. When you choose us to represent you in your personal injury claim, we will stay in close communication with you from beginning to end. We are committed to securing compensation for clients severely injured in boating accidents in Tennessee.

Tennessee Boating Laws

According to Tennessee boating laws:

  • Boaters are not allowed to operate any boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • A boat operator must agree to take a blood alcohol test when requested, or they may lose their boating license.
  • Children under 12 years old may not operate any powered boat unless accompanied by an adult.
  • Operating a boat recklessly can be punished with a fine of up to $2,500 and up to six months in jail.
  • Boat operators must report any accident involving an injury or a missing person within 48 hours.
  • Boat operators must provide assistance if they are involved in an accident.
  • Jet skis and other personal watercraft must follow the same rules as boats.
  • A license is required if you want to carry passengers for hire.
  • All boats must carry at least one life jacket for every person on board.

Causes and Types of Boating Accidents in Jonesborough

A few examples of common types of boating accidents in Jonesborough include:

  • Collisions 
  • Grounding
  • Flooding and sinking
  • Capsizing
  • Falling overboard

Why do boating accidents happen? Some of the most common causes include:

  • Inexperience handling a boat
  • Excessive speed
  • Not keeping a proper lookout
  • Alcohol or drug impairment
  • Bad weather conditions
  • Overloading
  • Malfunctioning equipment

Common Boat Accident Injuries

A boating accident can easily lead to a severe or even fatal injury, depending on the speed of the boat, the force of impact, and whether victims fall into the water. Not wearing a life jacket is the most common factor in boating-related fatalities, so always remember to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) the entire time you are on a boat.

Boating accidents cause many different types of injuries, including:

  • Drowning and near drowning
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Lacerations and bruises
  • Spinal cord injuries including paralysis
  • Broken ribs, wrists, elbows, ankles, legs, arms, and other bones
  • Whiplash and other neck and back injuries
  • Burns

You deserve to be compensated for any injuries you have suffered, but especially for catastrophic or life-changing injuries such as spinal cord damage or a TBI. You shouldn’t have to face lifelong consequences alone when a negligent boat operator is responsible for your injuries. You have the right to hold the people who hurt you financially accountable.

Who Could Be Held Liable for a Boat Accident?

Depending on the circumstances, several parties could potentially be held liable for a boating accident in Jonesborough, including:

  • A boat owner, especially if the boat did not have safety gear or was not maintained in safe working order
  • A boat operator, if their negligence contributed to the accident
  • A manufacturer, if a defective part caused the accident
  • A boat rental company or tour company

Liability depends on the specific circumstances of the accident. Our experienced boat accident attorneys know how to determine liability for injuries on the water. We are ready to investigate and analyze the boating accident that hurt you now.

Potential Compensation for Boat Accident Injuries

In Tennessee, you may be able to obtain compensation for boating accident injuries if another person’s negligence caused the accident. Compensation you can seek for injuries in a boating accident includes:

  • Medical bills such as doctor bills, surgeries, medications, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and nursing care
  • Lost wages and other income, including time missed at work, disability, lost raises or promotions, and diminished future earning capacity
  • Physical and emotional pain and suffering
  • Lost enjoyment of life
  • Damage to your property

How Our Law Firm Helps People Hurt in Jonesborough Boat Accidents

If you’ve been hurt in a Jonesborough boating accident, here is what the personal injury attorneys at The Terry Law Firm can do for you:

  • Conduct an investigation into the cause of the accident and who was responsible
  • Gather evidence
  • Collect statements from eyewitnesses who can testify about what they saw
  • Review your medical records and consult independent experts to determine the extent of your injuries
  • Determine who should be held liable for your losses
  • File a personal injury claim for you
  • Negotiate with the insurance company for the compensation you deserve
  • Take your case to trial if necessary and represent you in court

The Terry Law Firm is a boating accident law firm serving Jonesborough, Tennessee. We’ve helped people in situations like yours to obtain the compensation they needed for full recovery. We want to help you with your boating accident claim. Our personal injury lawyers take pride in helping accident victims get justice, and we are ready to do the same for you.

Contact The Terry Law Firm immediately to learn more about how we can help you. The consultation with a personal injury attorney is free, confidential, and without further obligations.