Boating Accident Lawyer in Biloxi, MS
Boating accidents on Biloxi’s waterways demand immediate legal guidance from attorneys who understand both Mississippi law and federal maritime regulations. The convergence of state and federal jurisdictions, combined with aggressive insurance company tactics, creates a complex legal landscape that injured victims must navigate while recovering from serious injuries. Our maritime attorneys at Maloney-Lyons have decades of combined experience handling boat accident claims throughout the Mississippi Gulf Coast, from recreational collisions in the Back Bay to commercial vessel incidents in federal waters.
At Maloney-Lyons Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers, we recognize that each boating accident case requires personalized attention and strategic planning from day one. Unlike high-volume firms that delegate cases to junior staff, your personal injury case stays with an experienced attorney who understands the intricacies of admiralty law, knows how to counter insurance company strategies, and has the resources to thoroughly investigate maritime accidents. We handle everything from preserving critical evidence and securing witness statements to calculating the full scope of your damages under applicable maritime and state laws.
The aftermath of a serious boating accident often leaves victims facing mounting medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about their legal rights. Whether your accident involved a recreational boat collision, jet ski crash, or commercial vessel incident, we fight to secure maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages you’ve sustained. Contact our Biloxi office at (228) 374-5151 today for a free consultation and let us protect your rights while you focus on recovery.
Why Hire a Biloxi Boating Accident Lawyer?
A Biloxi boating accident lawyer helps victims recover compensation for injuries, lost wages, and property damage after boat crashes on the Mississippi Sound, Back Bay, or Gulf waters. Maritime accidents involve complex federal laws that differ significantly from regular car accident cases.
Insurance companies know these legal complexities and often use them to deny valid claims or offer settlements far below what you deserve. They count on victims not understanding their rights under maritime law.
At Maloney-Lyons Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers, we handle your case directly from start to finish. You work with an experienced attorney, not a paralegal or case manager, ensuring you get the personal attention needed to fight for maximum compensation.
Call (228) 374-5151 for a free case review with our Biloxi maritime attorneys.
Who Is Liable After a Boat Crash in Biloxi?
Multiple parties can be responsible for your boating accident injuries. Determining liability requires a thorough investigation of all potential defendants.
The boat operator bears responsibility when they operate negligently through speeding, boating under the influence, or violating navigation rules. Even experienced boaters can be held liable for poor judgment or reckless behavior.
The boat owner may face liability if they allowed an unqualified person to operate their vessel. This includes letting someone drive who lacks proper licensing, experience, or is intoxicated.
Marinas and rental companies have duties to maintain their vessels properly. They can be sued when accidents result from faulty equipment, inadequate maintenance, or failure to provide safety equipment.
Manufacturers face product liability claims when defective boat parts or design flaws cause accidents. This includes engine defects, steering problems, or faulty safety equipment.
Our legal team investigates every angle to identify all responsible parties and maximize your recovery.
What Causes Boating Accidents Around Biloxi?
Biloxi’s waters present unique challenges, from shallow areas in Back Bay to heavy traffic near popular destinations like Deer Island and Ship Island. Most accidents stem from preventable human errors rather than unavoidable circumstances.
- Operator inexperience: Many boaters lack proper training for Gulf Coast conditions
- Excessive speed: Dangerous in congested channels and shallow waters, just as speeding causes many truck accidents on Mississippi highways
- Alcohol impairment: Mississippi strictly enforces boating under the influence laws
- Navigation rule violations: Failure to yield right-of-way causes many collisions
- Weather misjudgment: Sudden Gulf storms catch unprepared boaters
- Equipment failure: Poor maintenance leads to steering or engine problems
Understanding these causes helps us build stronger cases by proving how the accident could have been prevented.
What To Do After a Boating Accident
Taking immediate action protects your health and strengthens your legal claim. Stay calm and follow these essential steps.
Get Medical Care and Call 911
Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Serious injuries like internal bleeding or concussions may not show symptoms right away. The Coast Guard or marine police will respond to emergency calls and create an official accident report.
Report to MDWFP or USCG When Required
Mississippi law requires reporting accidents that cause death, missing persons, or injuries beyond basic first aid within 48 hours. Property damage exceeding $500 must be reported within 10 days to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
Document Everything at the Scene
Take photos of all vessel damage, injuries, weather conditions, and any hazards that contributed to the accident. Get contact information from everyone involved, including passengers who witnessed the crash. This evidence becomes crucial for proving fault later.
Preserve Your Vessel and Electronic Data
Do not repair your boat or delete GPS data before consulting an attorney. Physical damage and electronic records showing speed, location, and navigation patterns provide powerful evidence of what happened.
Avoid Insurance Company Tricks
Insurance adjusters will contact you quickly, often while you’re still recovering. They may seem helpful but are trained to get statements that minimize your claim. Never give recorded statements or sign documents without legal representation.
Contact Maloney-Lyons Immediately
The sooner you call us, the better we can protect your rights and preserve evidence. We handle all insurance communications and start building your case while you focus on recovery.
Don’t face insurance companies alone—call us at (228) 374-5151 today.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Boating Accident?
You deserve full compensation for all losses caused by someone else’s negligence. Damages fall into two main categories, which our Biloxi attorneys will carefully calculate.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
| Medical bills and future treatment costs | Pain and suffering |
| Lost wages and reduced earning capacity | Emotional distress |
| Boat repair or replacement costs | Loss of life enjoyment |
| Transportation and care expenses | Scarring and disfigurement |
Mississippi caps non-economic damages at $1 million for most personal injury cases. However, economic damages have no limits, making thorough documentation of your financial losses essential.
We work with medical experts and economists to ensure every dollar of your losses is included in our demand.
What Injuries Are Common in Boat Wrecks?
Boating accidents cause unique and often severe injuries due to the lack of safety features found in cars. Water adds additional dangers that can worsen initial injuries.
Propeller injuries cause deep lacerations, amputations, and permanent disfigurement. These accidents often happen when someone falls overboard or during docking procedures.
Spinal and neck injuries result from sudden impacts with waves, other boats, or being thrown from the vessel. These can cause permanent paralysis or chronic pain.
Traumatic brain injuries occur when passengers hit hard surfaces or are thrown from the boat. Even mild concussions can have lasting effects on memory and cognitive function.
Drowning and near-drowning incidents can cause brain damage from oxygen deprivation. Even rescued victims may suffer permanent neurological problems.
Carbon monoxide poisoning happens when engine exhaust accumulates in enclosed areas or near the back of boats. This invisible danger can cause death or permanent organ damage.
These serious injuries often require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and can permanently change your quality of life.
What Law Applies—Mississippi Negligence or Maritime Law?
The location of your accident determines which laws apply to your case. This distinction affects everything from liability rules to damage calculations.
State law governs accidents on non-navigable waters like private lakes or ponds entirely within Mississippi. These cases follow standard negligence principles similar to car accidents.
Federal maritime law applies to accidents on navigable waters including the Mississippi Sound, Gulf of Mexico, and major rivers used for commercial shipping. Maritime law has different rules for liability, damages, and procedures.
The Jones Act provides special protections for crew members injured while working on vessels. This federal law allows maritime workers to sue their employers for negligence, which is not allowed in regular workers’ compensation cases.
Our personal injury attorneys in Biloxi, MS, have experience with both state and federal maritime cases, ensuring your claim follows the correct legal procedures.
What Is the Deadline To File a Boating Accident Claim in Mississippi?
Mississippi gives you three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit under state law. This deadline applies to most boating accidents on state waters.
However, federal maritime law may impose different time limits depending on your case specifics. Some maritime claims must be filed within one year, while others allow three years.
Wrongful death cases also have three-year deadlines in Mississippi, but maritime wrongful death claims may have shorter time limits.
Don’t wait to protect your rights. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and legal deadlines approach quickly.
Protect your rights—schedule your free consultation at (228) 374-5151 before time runs out.
How Maloney-Lyons Builds Your Boating Accident Case
At Maloney-Lyons Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers, you work directly with experienced attorneys, not paralegals or case managers. We believe personal attention makes the difference between winning and losing.
Investigate, Secure Evidence, and Retain Marine Experts
We immediately preserve all physical evidence and electronic data from your accident. Our investigation includes analyzing weather conditions, boat maintenance records, and operator qualifications. When needed, we retain marine accident reconstruction experts to prove exactly how the crash occurred.
Calculate All Losses and Coordinate Medical Care
We work closely with your doctors to document the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your life. This includes current medical bills and projected costs for future treatment, rehabilitation, and care needs.
Negotiate Firmly and Prepare for Trial
Armed with strong evidence and expert testimony, we negotiate aggressively with insurance companies. Unlike firms that push for quick settlements, we prepare every case for trial, showing insurers we’re ready to fight in court if they won’t offer fair compensation.
What If a Loved One Died in a Boating Accident?
Losing a family member in a preventable boating accident devastates families emotionally and financially. While no amount of money replaces your loss, wrongful death compensation can provide financial security and hold negligent parties accountable.
In Mississippi, surviving spouses, children, parents, or estate representatives can file wrongful death claims. These cases seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship and guidance.
Maritime wrongful death cases may have different rules and shorter deadlines than state law claims. The Death on the High Seas Act governs some offshore accidents with specific requirements and limitations.
Our Biloxi wrongful death lawyers handle these sensitive cases with compassion while aggressively pursuing justice for your family.
Do I Have To Report a Boating Accident in Mississippi?
Yes, Mississippi law requires reporting many boating accidents to authorities. Failing to report can result in criminal charges and fines.
You must immediately notify authorities and file written reports within 48 hours for accidents involving:
- Death of any person
- Missing persons
- Injuries requiring more than basic first aid
Property damage accidents exceeding $500 must be reported within 10 days to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
These official reports become important evidence in personal injury claims, so accurate reporting helps your case.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire Us?
We handle all boating accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs, attorney fees, or expenses unless we recover money for you.
Our fee is a percentage of your final settlement or court award, typically between 33% and 40%. This arrangement allows everyone to afford experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
Your initial consultation is completely free with no obligation. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and outline your legal options at no cost.
Talk to a Boating Accident Lawyer in Biloxi Today
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of your situation. Our experienced attorneys understand Biloxi’s waters, maritime law complexities, and insurance company tactics.
We provide the personal attention and aggressive representation you need to recover full compensation. Every case is handled directly by an attorney from our firm, ensuring you get the expertise and dedication you deserve.
Call (228) 374-5151 now or fill out our online form for your free case evaluation.
Boating Accident Lawyer FAQs
Do Boating Accidents in Mississippi Require Police Reports?
Yes, you must file written reports within 48 hours for accidents causing death or serious injury requiring more than first aid. Property damage over $500 requires reporting within 10 days to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
Can I Sue if I Was Partially at Fault for the Boating Accident?
Yes, Mississippi follows pure comparative negligence rules. You can recover damages even if you were partially at fault, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
What if the At-Fault Boater Has No Insurance Coverage?
We’ll investigate whether your boat insurance, auto insurance, or homeowner’s policy includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that applies to boating accidents. Many policies extend this protection to watercraft incidents.
Can Passengers File Claims After Boating Accidents?
Absolutely. Injured passengers can file claims against negligent boat operators, vessel owners, or other at-fault parties. Passengers typically have strong cases since they had no control over the boat’s operation.
What Percentage Do Personal Injury Lawyers Take for Boat Cases?
Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency fees ranging from 33% to 40% of your recovery. At Maloney-Lyons, you pay nothing unless we win your case through settlement or trial.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Boating Accident Liability?
Many homeowner’s and umbrella insurance policies provide liability coverage for boat accidents. We review all applicable insurance policies to identify every potential source of compensation for your injuries.
Should I Give a Statement to the Other Boat’s Insurance Company?
Never provide recorded statements to opposing insurance companies without attorney representation—a rule that applies whether you’re dealing with a boating incident or a pedestrian accident. These companies use your words against you to minimize or deny your claim, even if you think you’re being helpful.
Do Jones Act Protections Apply to Injured Boat Crew Members?
If you were working as crew on a vessel in navigable waters when injured, you likely have Jones Act rights. This federal law allows maritime workers to sue employers for negligence and provides broader protections than regular workers’ compensation.