Contact the Northern California boating accident attorneys at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter today if you have been the victim of a recreational or commercial boating accident.






Reiner, Simpson and Slaughter
Riverbridge Building
2851 Park Marina Dr., Suite 200
Redding, California 96001
Toll Free 1-800-896-4200
Phone (530) 241-1905
Fax (530) 241-0622

Redding and Northern California Boating Accident Attorneys

Northern California is blessed with a wealth of lakes, rivers and open waters where all nature of boating activity can take place throughout most of the year. During the spring and summers water sports such as skiing, wakeboarding, riding towables and recreational use of personal watercraft dominate upon our abundant waters. Unfortunately, serious personal injuries and death can accompany these enjoyable activities if proper care is not taken. Sadly, such injuries and losses often could have been prevented. Boating and watercraft safety is a fundamental concern of the Northern California boating accident attorneys at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter.

The most common causes of boating accidents in the Northern California area are:

Boating accidents can also be caused by poorly maintained or defective boat apparatus or equipment. This can cause the vessel to be uncontrollable, or to capsize or sink.

Boating Safety

The following are essential to boating safety:

Boating Collisions

The Northern California boating accident attorneys at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter have successfully represented clients in a variety of tragic, though avoidable, boating collisions. Boating collisions involve boats colliding with each other, as well as boats colliding with objects such as docks, piers or shorelines. Boating collisions can have catastrophic consequences to the occupants of the boats, including serious personal injuries or death.

Boating collisions often occur when the operator is not keeping a sharp lookout for other boats, or does not properly anticipate the potential presence of other boats concealed by the natural surroundings. Boating collisions also occur when boat operators fail to give due regard to their speed or the proximity of other boats, structures or shallow water, forcing a sudden evasive response that is too late. Boats have no brakes and extreme caution is required when encountering boating traffic or maneuvering in confined areas.  Safety must be the first mandate of the operator.

Unlike automobile accidents, where physical evidence like skid marks, road configurations, direction of travel and location of vehicle damage can assist law enforcement in determining what happened and who is at fault, boating collisions often leave little physical evidence, other than the boats themselves. For this reason, it is imperative that a prompt and thorough investigation take place whenever a boating collision occurs. Our Northern California boating accident attorneys understand the dispatch necessary to preserve the evidence that may be critical to the case. We have the investigative resources to respond immediately. 

If you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident anywhere in Northern California, rely on the skill and experience of the boating accident attorneys at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter to fully investigate the nature of the subject incident, assess responsibility and evaluate and negotiate your injury claim. Put our Experience to Work for You! Contact our Redding, California boat accident lawyers today.

Propeller Injuries

All motor boat operators must operate their boats in a prudent and safe manner so that they do not endanger the life, limb, or property of any person. This obviously includes operating a boat in a manner that the propeller does not come in contact with a person.  Propeller injuries are usually catastrophic, if not fatal.

Propeller injuries occur when boat operators do not give proper clearance to swimmers or skiers in the water, or do not keep a sharp lookout for their presence. Large vessels, such as houseboats, often require more than one person to maintain a proper lookout during maneuvers, such as backing, to assure that swimmers are not in the vicinity of the boat’s movement.

To prevent propeller injuries, the law specifically prohibits the operation of the boat’s motor when someone is occupying or holding onto a swim platform, swim deck, swim step or swim ladder. The law also prohibits “teak surfing” or “platform dragging” which involves a person holding onto the swim platform, ladder, or any portion of the transom, while the motor boat is underway.

The Northern California boating accident attorneys at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter have successfully represented several victims of propeller injuries. As with all boating accidents, it is imperative that a thorough investigation be commenced immediately to preserve evidence that may be critical to the case. If you or a loved one has suffered a propeller injury, don’t hesitate, contact us right away.  

Personal Watercraft

Personal watercraft, commonly referred to as Jet Skis™, bring fun and excitement to the water. They combine the joy of power boating with the thrill of sporting maneuverability and speed.  Such maneuvers as “jumps” and “getting air” are no longer left to skiing, wakeboarding and other water sports. Though they are easy to operate, personal watercraft can become dangerous when in the hands of inexperienced or inattentive riders.

During the late spring and summer months in Northern California, personal watercraft (PWC) operators must be particularly vigilant about the presence of other boats. Because of the speed and maneuverability of PWC’s they are often not observed or appreciated by other boaters until they are in close proximity. Knowing that an area is popular for PWC users requires other boaters to keep a watchful eye for their sudden appearance from out of coves or behind outcroppings. To the same extent, PWC operators must be ever-mindful that their presence may not be immediately appreciated by other boaters.

Unfortunately, boating collisions do occur between boats and PWCs, as well as PWCs and structures or other objects.  This may be due to the inexperience of the operator, or the operator’s lack of proper vigilance.  It also may be due to the inattention of the other boat operator. 

If you are involved in a boating collision while operating a PWC in Northern California, the boating accident attorneys at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter have the knowledge and expertise to evaluate the nature of the crash, and who is responsible.  As with all boating accidents, it is imperative that an investigation be started immediately to preserve evidence that may be critical to the case.  Don’t hesitate, contact our Redding boat accident attorneys today.

Houseboat Accidents

Houseboats are an enjoyable way of spending time on many lakes in the Northern California region.  These large cabined vessels are available to rent at many of the marinas in Northern California.  Oftentimes families, friends or other social groups get together to rent houseboats for extended outings.  These slow moving craft allow the occupants to casually explore the surroundings of the lake, or they can tie up to a remote area where they can swim, sunbathe, fish, or simply enjoy the surroundings.  

Houseboat accidents come in many forms.  They can involve collisions with other boats or structures such as docks or piers.  Houseboat accidents can also occur when the operator fails to keep a proper lookout for nearby swimmers.  Occupants have been injured when careless horse-play has taken place on the decks or roof of the houseboat.  Many of these accidents have resulted in serious injury or death.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a houseboat accident, call the Northern California boating accident attorneys at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter for a free consultation.  Our attorneys are knowledgeable about the safe operation of houseboats, and will promptly investigate and evaluate your rights.  Put our experience to work for you!

Watersports and Towables

Skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding or tubing behind a boat is fun and thrilling.  These water sports flourish each summer season in Northern California.  While potential injuries are often inherent in these water sports, certain special precautions must be taken while engaging in them. 

For example, it is imperative that the boat operator be experienced and skilled in maneuvering a boat and the tow line around a downed skier or boarder.  It is critical that a spotter be assigned to signal the skier’s activity to the boat operator and to properly raise the signal flag when equipment, the tow line or the skier is in the water.  The boat operator must look well ahead for other boats, skiers, the shoreline or other obstructions. When proper care is not maintained to insure safety, the risk of injury to those being towed, as well as those riding in the boat, increase dramatically.

Proper equipment is also required for water sport safety. If the equipment is defective or in ill-repair, the risk of potential injury could be significantly increased. The Northern California boating accident and product liability attorneys at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter will review the equipment to determine if it was defectively designed or manufactured, if proper instructions or warnings were provided for its use, and whether it was being utilized in a manner should have been reasonably contemplated by the manufacturer.

If you or a loved one has been injured while engaging in these water sports any where in Northern California, contact our boating accident attorneys for a free consultation and learn your rights.

Contact Our Northern California Boating Accident Attorneys for a Case Review

If you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident in Northern California, rely on the skill and experience of the boating accident attorneys at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter to fully investigate the nature of the subject incident, assess responsibility and evaluate and negotiate your injury claim. Put our experience to work for you! Contact our Redding, California boat accident lawyers today.

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