Every summer, boats, jet skis, tubers and swimmers share Lake Hartwell, Broadway Lake, Lake Keowee and the water at the beach. Most days end safely. But a boat has no brakes and no lanes, and too often no one is keeping a careful lookout. When something goes wrong, the injuries can be severe: head injuries, broken bones, spinal cord damage, drowning and wrongful death.
Boating cases are not the same as car wrecks. The evidence is on the water and it does not stay put. The insurance may be a boat policy, a homeowner's policy or a rental company's coverage. We know these lakes, and we know how to build these claims.
Boating and jet ski accidents we handle
- Collisions between boats, jet skis and docks
- Boats that capsize or sink
- Accidents involving alcohol or drugs
- Defective boats, engines and personal watercraft
- Running aground on shoals, stumps or other hazards
- Passengers thrown overboard
- Swimmers and tubers struck by a boat
- Missing or faulty life jackets and safety equipment
- Drowning and wrongful death claims
A lawyer who knows the water
J. Calhoun Pruitt, Jr. is an experienced boater, a boat captain, and a former Commander of the Lake Hartwell Power Squadron. He understands how boats handle, what a careful operator is supposed to do, and what safety equipment belongs on board. That first-hand knowledge helps us see what went wrong and explain it clearly to an insurance company or a jury.
How we build a boating injury claim
We start by gathering the facts: the official accident report, photos of the boats and the scene, witness statements, and the condition of the vessel and its equipment. Lake Hartwell sits on the Georgia line, so we also confirm exactly where the accident happened, because that can affect which state's law applies.
Serious injuries need a full picture of the future. When the case calls for it, we work with medical experts, economists and rehabilitation specialists to show what treatment you will need, how the injury affects your ability to work, and what it will cost over time. We handle these cases on a contingency fee, so there is no fee unless we recover for you.
Alcohol and boating
Operating a boat under the influence is against the law in South Carolina, just like drunk driving. Sun, wind and the motion of the water can make impairment worse. When alcohol played a part in your accident, it can be important evidence of fault.
