Boating and Shipping Accidents

West Virginia Shipping Accidents and Boating Injuries

At the Akers Law Offices, our experience with the investigation and proof of complex accident claims allows us to represent persons injured in recreational boating accidents, commercial shipping or barge accidents and collisions involving personal watercraft. We also represent the families of drowning victims in wrongful death litigation. For a free consultation about your legal options in a boating or shipping accident, contact us in Charleston.

We handle lake or river accidents such as:

• Collisions with water skiing boats
• Injuries or death caused by capsizing or sinking
• Sea Doo™ or Jet Ski™ accidents
• Fishing boat accidents
• Injuries caused by falling objects or carelessly stowed gear or tackle
• Riverfront or harbor tour boat accidents
• Collisions at a dock or pier
• Barge accidents

The major rivers in West Virginia are navigable so federal admiralty jurisdiction can cover many cases involving both recreational and commercial accidents on the water. Charleston personal injury attorney JB Akers can help determine whether the Jones Act or other maritime law applies to your claim. Federal maritime law often provides more favorable treatment for the injured party in personal injury and wrongful death cases in terms of both liability and the damages allowed.

Our experience with the proof of liability in complex accident claims can help establish your right to compensation against a wide range of potential defendants in boating accident cases. Among the parties who can be held to account are the pilot or skipper of the craft on which you were a passenger, the operator of the vessel that collided with your own boat, a negligent outfitter or repair service, or even the Army Corps of Engineers for improper dredging or channel markings. Because our objective is to maximize the value of your claim, we make an exhaustive analysis of all of your litigation options against all potential defendants.

We also devote considerable care to the development and presentation of your damages claims. While making sure that you are receiving the proper medical care and therapeutic services we document the full extent of your injuries and prognosis for recovery. The injuries most characteristic of boat accidents are hypoxia, traumatic or acquired brain injuries, fractures, burns, and amputation.

To learn more about our ability to represent your interests effectively in a West Virginia boating accident, contact the Akers Law Offices in Charleston for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer.