Portland Boating Accident Attorney

We Handle Boating
Accident Cases in Portland
and Throughout Oregon

The Pacific Northwest is one of the nation’s best regions for boating. Many people in and around the city of Portland enjoy spending their free time out on the water. But as fun as boating can be, it must also be noted that the activity has the potential to be extremely dangerous. Boating accidents happen all the time on the Willamette or Columbia River, and the consequences can be catastrophic. 

That’s why boat owners and operators have a legal duty to protect the health and safety of their passengers, and everyone else on the water. If they fail to live up to this duty, they must be held fully responsible for their negligence. That’s where Johnston Law Firm comes in. Our dedicated Portland personal injury lawyers fight hard to protect the legal rights and financial interests of injured boat crash victims. 

If you or a loved one was hurt in a boat accident of any kind in Portland or anywhere else in Oregon, reach out to a boat accident lawyer at Johnston Law Firm. Call our team today at (503) 546-3167 or contact us online for immediate assistance with your legal claim. Your consultation is free.

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How Johnston Law Firm Can Help
With Your Portland Boating Accident Claim

A serious boating accident can leave you dealing with painful injuries, medical expenses, missed work, and uncertainty about who should be held responsible. At Johnston Law Firm, we take that burden seriously. We investigate what happened, handle the insurance and legal issues, and help you understand your options while you focus on recovering.

Boating accident claims can involve vessel operators, owners, rental companies, manufacturers, and other parties. They may also require careful analysis of boating regulations and evidence that can disappear quickly after an accident. When you work with us, we can:

• Investigate the boating accident by gathering reports, photographs, videos, witness statements, and other available evidence.
• Identify the liable parties by determining whose negligence or misconduct contributed to your injuries.
• Review boating law issues to determine which Oregon or federal requirements may apply to your claim.
• Examine operator conduct for evidence of speeding, impairment, distraction, inexperience, or other unsafe behavior.
• Investigate vessel problems by reviewing maintenance issues, equipment failures, and potential defects that contributed to the accident.
• Preserve important evidence before records, vessel data, physical evidence, or witness information becomes difficult to obtain.
• Handle insurance companies by managing communications and challenging attempts to minimize your injuries or compensation.
• Document your damages including medical expenses, lost income, future treatment needs, and other accident-related losses.
• Consult qualified experts when specialized knowledge can help establish liability, injuries, damages, or accident circumstances.
• Negotiate for fair compensation using the evidence we gather and the full extent of your documented losses.
• Prepare your case for trial if the responsible parties or insurers will not agree to a fair resolution.

At Johnston Law Firm, we keep you informed and involved while taking care of the legal work behind your claim. We build each case carefully rather than simply relying on what an insurer says happened. If litigation becomes necessary, we are prepared to take your boating accident case to court and advocate for you.

The Main Causes
of Boating Accidents in the Portland Area

Boating accident injuries occur for a variety of different reasons. Though, very few boating accidents are truly unavoidable. In fact, most boat injuries could have been prevented, if only proper safety protocols had been followed. Some of the most common reasons why boat accidents occur in the Portland region include:

• Boat operator inexperience;
• Drunk or drugged boat operation;
• Boat operator distraction, or other types of carelessness or inattention;
• Speeding or making reckless turns;
• Failing to provide an adequate number of life jackets;
• Boat owners allowing passengers to sit in unsafe locations;
• Boat owners failing to make proper safety repairs;
• Commercial boat companies hiring unqualified or under trained staff members;
• Boating in a restricted or otherwise unsafe area;
• The boat being poorly manufactured.

How We Establish Liability
in a Boating Accident Case

Boating accident claims involve a complex web of both state and federal law. These state and federal safety regulations govern many different issues, from equipment on the boat to required maintenance to where, when and how a boat can be operated.

Ultimately, if your boat accident injury was caused by the negligence of any other party, you can and should hold them liable for your injuries. Our firm will investigate your case, and secure the evidence needed to make a strong claim under Oregon’s comparative negligence law (ORS 31.600), Washington’s comparative law (RCW 4.22.005) or any other state or federal statutes.

Notably, both commercial and recreational boat operators can be held liable for any accident. For the most part, these cases proceed in a similar manner. However, commercial boat operators are held to much higher safety standards. If you or a family member was hurt on a commercial boat, we can help you bring a legal case.

Don’t miss out on these common personal injury mistakes.

Get the legal counsel you need to guide you through the process of filing an injury claim.

Compensation We Can Help You Recover
for Your Boating Accident Injuries

Our firm helps boat accident victims seek a full and fair settlement offer for their damages. Most boat owners and operators carry insurance, and thus these claims are typically handled by large insurance companies. Insurers are committed to protecting their own bottom line. They will not usually willingly pay you the full settlement you deserve. To hold the insurer fully accountable, you should always work with a qualified personal injury attorney. Our firm will fight aggressively, to ensure that you are able to maximize your recovery. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be eligible to recover for:

• Any property damage;
• Emergency room and ambulance fees;
• All other medical bills;
• Required medication and medical equipment;
• Physical or psychological therapy;
• Short-term or long-term disability;
• Lost income, including diminished earning capacity;
• Pain and suffering;
• Mental distress;
• Severe physical damage, including disfigurement;
• Loss of life enjoyment; and
• Wrongful death.

Frequently Asked Questions
About Portland Boating Accident Claims