You shouldn’t have to go to the emergency room after a day on the water. When careless drivers, broken equipment, or reckless jet skiers cause serious accidents in the Bronx waters, victims face rising medical bills, lost wages, and stubborn insurance companies.

The crowded waters from Eastchester Bay to the East River see countless boaters, and with inexperienced operators and alcohol often involved, accidents are frequent. Unlike standard personal injury claims, boating accidents involve complex federal maritime law, state boating regulations, and jurisdictional questions, creating legal challenges most lawyers are unprepared for.

That’s where Grigor Law steps in. Our Bronx Boating Accident Lawyers have helped victims secure the compensation they deserve for years. We know these waters and the specific laws that govern them, and we are prepared to take on boat manufacturers, rental companies, or large insurance companies. We know that preserving evidence like GPS data, maintenance records, and witness statements is crucial, so our team acts quickly to secure it.

Injured in a Boating Accident in the Bronx? We Fight for Your Recovery

Your life changes when someone else’s carelessness sends you to the hospital after a day on the water. You can’t work because of your injuries, and medical bills keep piling up. Insurance companies start calling with lowball offers before you’ve even had time to figure out how bad your injuries are.

We’ve helped hundreds of Bronx families deal with this exact problem at Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers.

We know the waters around the Bronx, from the dangerous currents near Hell Gate to the busy shipping lanes in the East River. More importantly, we know how to hold boat operators, rental companies, and manufacturers accountable when they harm someone.

Our founder, Chrissy Grigoropoulos, has built her reputation by taking on big insurance companies and winning.

You don’t have to do this by yourself. We speak Spanish, Greek, French-Creole, and Korean, and we offer free consultations. We believe that everyone deserves justice, regardless of the language they speak. We’re here for you 24/7 because accidents don’t happen on a schedule.

How Oresky & Associates Can Help After a Boating Accident in the Bronx

A skilled Bronx boating accident lawyer takes immediate action to protect your case before evidence disappears. We launch an independent investigation within hours, not days, because critical evidence such as GPS data and witness accounts can fade quickly. While you focus on healing, we handle every aspect of your legal claim.

Our team immediately preserves crucial evidence by sending legal notices to boat owners, rental companies, and marinas. We collect accident reports from the NYPD Harbor Unit, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the New York State Parks Police. We also work with respected maritime experts who can reconstruct your accident and prove who was at fault.

Evidence Preservation: We send preservation letters to prevent the destruction of GPS records, maintenance logs, and surveillance footage.
Expert Consultation: Our network includes naval architects and accident reconstruction specialists who testify in court.
Insurance Negotiations: We handle all communication with adjusters so they can’t trick you into damaging your own case.
Trial Preparation: We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, which often leads to better settlement offers.

You deserve to focus on healing, not fighting legal battles. Call Grigor Law at (718) 684-2530 for a free consultation. We are here for you 24/7, we speak your language, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Common Causes of Boating Accidents in the Bronx

Most boating accidents aren’t really “accidents” at all; they’re the result of someone being careless or reckless, just like motorcycle accidents.

Every summer, thousands of boats pass through the busy waterways around City Island, Eastchester Bay, and the East River. When boat operators don’t follow basic safety rules, these waterways are high-risk areas for collisions.

Operator error causes the majority of serious boating accidents. This includes speeding in crowded areas, failing to maintain a proper lookout, and ignoring navigation rules that exist to keep everyone safe. Inexperienced operators who don’t understand how to handle their vessel in different conditions put everyone at risk.

Boating under the influence remains a deadly problem on New York waters. Operating any vessel with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher is illegal and significantly increases the risk of a fatal accident. The penalties are even harsher when children are on board.

Mechanical failures and defective equipment also cause serious injuries. Faulty steering systems, engine problems, and defective safety equipment can turn a pleasant day into a nightmare. When these failures happen, the manufacturer or rental company may be liable for your damages.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Bronx Boating Accident?

Determining who’s responsible for a boating accident requires careful investigation because multiple parties often share fault. New York law allows you to recover damages from every negligent party, which can significantly increase your total compensation.

The boat operator is typically the first person we look at, especially if they were speeding, intoxicated, or violating navigation rules. But liability often extends beyond just the person driving the boat.

Boat owners can be held liable under “negligent entrustment” if they allow someone unqualified or intoxicated to operate their vessel. Rental companies face liability when they fail to properly maintain their boats or provide adequate safety equipment to customers.

Liable Party	Responsibility	Common Examples
Boat Operator	Direct negligence while operating	Speeding, BUI, reckless operation
Boat Owner	Negligent entrustment	Lending to unlicensed/intoxicated person
Rental Company	Maintenance and safety failures	Defective equipment, poor maintenance
Manufacturer	Product defects	Faulty engines, steering, safety equipment

Product manufacturers become liable when defective parts cause accidents. This includes everything from faulty fuel systems that cause fires to steering mechanisms that fail at critical moments.

Types of Bronx Boating Accident Cases We Handle

Our firm handles all types of watercraft accidents because we understand that serious injuries can occur on any vessel. From high-speed jet-ski collisions to slip-and-fall accidents at ferry docks, we have the experience to build winning cases.

Jet Ski and Personal Watercraft Accidents

Personal watercraft, such as Jet Skis and WaveRunners, are involved in some of the most serious boating accidents. These machines can reach dangerous speeds quickly, and collisions often result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and internal organ injuries from water impact.

Jet ski accidents frequently involve inexperienced operators who don’t understand how these machines work. Unlike boats, personal watercraft lack brakes and can be challenging to control in emergencies.

Private Boat and Charter Accidents

We represent victims injured on all types of private vessels, from small fishing boats to large yachts. Whether you were a guest on a friend’s boat or a paying passenger on a charter, you have the right to expect safe operation.

Charter boat operators are held to higher standards because they operate commercial vessels, much like commercial drivers in truck accident cases. They must have valid licenses, maintain their boats in accordance with Coast Guard regulations, and carry adequate insurance.

Ferry and Tour Boat Accidents

Commercial ferry and tour boat operators are considered common carriers under New York law. This means they’re held to the highest standard of care for passenger safety and can be liable even for slight negligence.

Ferry accidents often involve large numbers of passengers and can result in serious injuries when operators fail to dock or navigate safely in challenging conditions.

Marina and Dock Accidents

Not all boating injuries occur on open water. There are many accidents at marinas and docks, including slip-and-fall injuries on wet surfaces, drowning due to inadequate safety measures, and electrical injuries from broken shore power connections. Marina owners are responsible for keeping the area safe for boaters and visitors.

This means ensuring there is enough light, that surfaces are non-slip, and that safety equipment is in good working order. Your Bronx boating accident lawyer can look into the property owner’s carelessness if you were hurt near the shore or in the harbor.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Boating Accident?

A serious boating accident can create devastating financial and personal losses that extend far beyond your initial medical treatment. We fight to recover compensation for every way the accident has impacted your life, both now and in the future.

Your economic damages include all the financial losses you can calculate with receipts and records. This covers your medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. But it also includes future medical care and lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from working at full capacity.

Non-economic damages compensate you for the pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life caused by your injuries. These damages recognize that some losses can’t be measured in dollars but are nonetheless real.

Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care needs.
Lost Income: Wages you’ve missed and future earning capacity you’ve lost due to your injuries.
Property Damage: Repair or replacement of your boat, equipment, and personal belongings.
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional trauma.
Disability and Disfigurement: Additional compensation for permanent injuries that affect your appearance or abilities.

In cases involving particularly reckless behavior, you may also be entitled to punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.

Fighting to Recover Compensation for All Your Severe Boat Accident Injuries

Boating accidents often cause catastrophic injuries because of the forces involved and the risk of drowning. Water introduces unique hazards that can turn a minor accident on land into a life-threatening emergency.

Traumatic brain injuries are common in boating accidents, especially when passengers are thrown from the vessel or struck by the boat itself. These injuries can have lifelong consequences for your ability to work, maintain relationships, and enjoy life.

Spinal cord injuries from diving accidents or being struck by propellers can result in permanent paralysis. The cost of adapting your home and vehicle for wheelchair accessibility alone can exceed $100,000.

Drowning and near-drowning incidents can cause permanent brain damage even when the victim survives. A lack of oxygen to the brain during submersion can cause cognitive impairments that affect every aspect of daily life.

Burns from boat fires and explosions often require multiple surgeries and years of treatment. Scarring and disfigurement from these injuries can have profound psychological impacts beyond the physical pain.

What If You’re Getting Blamed for Your Boating Accident?

Insurance companies routinely try to shift blame to injury victims to reduce their payouts. Don’t let their tactics discourage you from pursuing the compensation you deserve. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault.

Your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation, but you won’t be completely barred from recovery unless you were 100% responsible. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault for not wearing a life jacket, you can still collect 80% of your total damages.

The key is having an experienced Bronx boating accident attorney who knows how to minimize fault allegations. We investigate every aspect of the accident to show that the other party’s negligence was the primary cause of your injuries.

Insurance adjusters often try to get victims to admit fault in recorded statements before they understand their rights, a tactic any experienced car accident lawyer knows well. That’s why it’s crucial to contact a lawyer before speaking to any insurance company about your accident.

How Long Do You Have to File a Boating Accident Lawsuit in New York?

Time limits for filing boating accident lawsuits are strictly enforced, and missing a deadline can permanently destroy your right to compensation. The specific deadline depends on several factors, including who caused the accident and whether anyone died.

For most personal injury claims arising from boating accidents, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Wrongful death cases have a shorter deadline of just two years from the date of death.

Claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines. If a city ferry or other municipal vessel was involved, you typically have just 90 days to file a formal Notice of Claim with the appropriate government agency.

The sooner you contact a Bronx boating accident lawyer, the better chance we have to preserve evidence and build a strong case. Critical evidence, such as GPS data and witness accounts, deteriorates quickly after an accident.

Arrange a Free Consultation With an Experienced Bronx Boating Accident Lawyer

If you or a family member has been hurt in a boating accident in the Bronx, you need a lawyer with experience to protect your rights and help you get the most money possible. The insurance companies are already trying to limit their risk, and you need someone who will fight just as hard for you.

At Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we’ve helped countless boating accident victims secure the compensation they needed to rebuild their lives. We understand the unique challenges these cases present and have the resources to take on the biggest insurance companies and win.

Our consultations are always free, and we never charge attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. We’re available 24/7 because serious injuries don’t wait for business hours.

Call Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers at (718) 684-2530 now for your free consultation. We’ll handle the legal battle while you focus on healing.

Bronx Boating Accident FAQ

Do New York’s No-Fault Insurance Laws Cover Boating Accidents?

No, New York’s no-fault insurance system only applies to motor vehicle accidents on public roads. Boating accidents are handled under traditional negligence law, where you must prove the other party was at fault to recover compensation.

When Must I Report a Boating Accident to Authorities in New York?

You should promptly report any boating accident to New York State Parks if it involves death, disappearance, injuries requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, or significant property damage.

Does Federal Admiralty Law Apply to Bronx Waterway Accidents?

Yes, federal admiralty law often applies to accidents on the East River, Harlem River, and Long Island Sound because these are navigable waters used for interstate commerce. This can affect which court hears your case and what laws apply.

Bronx Boating Accident Lawyer