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Portland Boating Accident Lawyer

Portland Boating Accident LawyerPoor boat maintenance, lack of safety equipment, and other hazards could lead to a harmful boating accident. The Portland boat accident attorneys at Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers may be able to help you or your family acquire compensation for your injuries, losses, and damages. Call us today at (503) 272-8986 for legal help.

Boating on the Willamette River, Oswego Lake, Smith Lake, or other bodies of water near Portland can be a great way to enjoy Oregon’s warmer weather and escape from the bustle of the city. Unfortunately, not every boating excursion goes as planned.

Contact us now for a free consultation, where we can discuss your rights and legal options. You could be eligible for financial compensation in Portland.

Why Clients Come to Tillmann Law

  • We are compassionate and care about clients. Our Portland accident lawyers do what they can to not only fill clients’ current needs but to be responsive to their needs for the future as well.
  • We have a reputation for obtaining results. Our personal injury lawyers are not afraid to go to trial on behalf of clients in Multnomah County, if necessary. We have successfully won millions for our clients in the last several years.
  • We do not charge upfront. Our Portland boating accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. You will only have to pay us if we win your case, and only then out of the settlement or judgment award won.

Common Boating Accidents and Injuries in Portland

A boating accident can be devastating. When a boat crashes or capsizes, its occupants can suffer a wide range of personal injuries. At Tillmann Law, part of our job as advocates is to investigate our clients’ boating accidents to understand their proximate causes. We have experience handling many different types of boating accidents throughout Oregon.

  • Boat-to-boat collisions
  • Collisions with fixed objects, such as docks
  • Collisions with swimmers or personal watercraft
  • Unseaworthy vessels
  • Boats capsizing or sinking
  • Dangerous or defective boats
  • Slip and fall accidents on deck
  • Missing safety equipment
  • Fires or explosions
  • Water sports accidents
  • Underwater electrocution
  • Accidental drowning

Common injuries in boating accidents include broken bones, soft-tissue injuries, organ damage, brain damage, electric shocks, burns, and lacerations. If you have injuries from a boating accident in Portland, civil law might qualify you for compensation. If you lost a loved one in a fatal boating accident, our lawyers could also help you bring a wrongful death claim. You can learn more about wrongful death claims by scheduling a free consultation with our Portland wrongful death attorney.

Who Is Liable for Your Boating Accident in Portland?

Before you can recover compensation for your boating accident and injuries, you or your lawyer will need to identify the defendant for your case or the liable party. The liable party will be the person or entity most responsible for causing your accident and injuries.

  • The boat owner. If a faulty, malfunctioning or poorly maintained vessel caused your accident, the owner of the boat could be liable.
  • The boat operator. A negligent, reckless, drunk, distracted, or inexperienced boating operator could be liable if he or she caused your accident.
  • A product manufacturer. Sometimes, boats contain defective parts that contribute to accidents. In these situations, the product manufacturer might be liable.

These defendants and/or others could be responsible for causing your recent accident. The Portland boat accident lawyers at Tillmann Law can help you identify the appropriate defendant for your unique case. Then, we can take the necessary steps toward achieving a fair claim resolution.

How to Prove a Boating Accident Claim in Portland

To secure compensation in a boating accident claim, you will essentially need to prove that the actions of the at-fault party caused your injuries. Different types of claims require you to prove different sets of facts.

Proving Negligence-Based Boating Accident Claims

For cases involving a boat owner or operator, you will need to establish his or her negligence in order to recover compensation. Negligence refers to a person or entity’s failure to uphold a certain duty of care, which can vary depending on the situation.

You and your attorney from Tillmann Law will work closely together to establish four important facts.

  • Duty: The at-fault party owed you a duty of care at the time of the boating accident. For example, boat operators have the duty to drive the vessel carefully, while boat owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions onboard.
  • Breach of Duty: The at-fault party breached his or her duty of care through a negligent act or failure to act. Failing to maintain a boat, operator inattention, alcohol use, and excessive speed are all examples of boat owner and operator negligence.
  • Causation: The at-fault party’s breach of duty caused your boating accident and resulting injuries. Evidence such as police or Coast Guard reports, medical records, and witness testimony can help establish this fact.
  • Damages: You sustained damages that you can collect in your boating accident lawsuit. These damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. 

Proving Claims Involving Boating Manufacturers

If you are filing a lawsuit against a manufacturer due to a defect in the boat, you do not need to establish negligence. Manufacturers are strictly liable for any injuries that occur due to a defective product, regardless of prior knowledge or intention.

To secure compensation in a product liability lawsuit, you will need to prove the following four facts.

  • You were injured and suffered losses.
  • The boat or a boat part was defective in some way.
  • The boat’s defect caused your accident.
  • You were using the boat or boat part the way that the manufacturer intended.

It can be challenging to prove a product liability claim involving a boat. In many cases, you will require expert analysis and other specialty evidence to establish your case. Your attorney from Tillmann Law can connect you with expert witnesses and other resources, leveraging his network to prove your right to recovery. 

Damages Available in Oregon Boating Accident Claims

A boating accident can result in serious and life-changing injuries. Many victims suffer from long-term complications and severe financial hardship following these incidents. Psychological suffering is also common. 

If you are injured in a boating accident, you deserve justice. By filing a lawsuit, you can hold the person responsible for the accident accountable for the losses that you suffered. Oregon allows victims of boating accidents to recover two categories of damages: economic and non-economic.

Economic damages refer to the financial losses that you experienced due to the accident. These may include medical care, lost wages, the loss of future earnings, and property damage. You can also recover compensation for disability accommodations, specialized therapy, and long-term medical expenses.

On the other hand, non-economic damages refer to the physical and emotional pain and suffering that you endured. Examples of pain and suffering damages include the following.

  • Mental anguish
  • Permanent disability
  • Fear
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Chronic pain

Benefits of Hiring a Boating Accident Attorney

After a boating accident in Portland, it can be difficult to handle complex litigation by yourself. In these situations, you need an advocate on your side who can protect your best interests and guide you through each stage of your claim. 

Hiring a Portland boating accident attorney from Tillmann Law can provide several advantages to your case. Below are just a few of the ways that our lawyer can help.

Your Lawyer Can Help Prove Liability

To file a boating accident lawsuit, you first need to identify the liable party. This can be especially difficult without specialized resources or time for investigation. Your lawyer will have the time and resources necessary to fully investigate your case and help you determine who was at fault.

Your Lawyer Can Represent You During Negotiations

During your claim, you may need to negotiate with insurance companies and defense attorneys. These parties do not have your best interests at heart, and it can be difficult to handle these conversations without prior experience. Your lawyer will advocate for you during these discussions and ensure that any decision that is made is for your benefit.

Your Lawyer Can Craft a Case for the Courtroom

If your case does not settle during negotiations, you will head to trial. Preparing for a trial can be challenging, especially if you do not have prior experience in the courtroom. Your lawyer will have significant experience representing injured boating accident victims in court and can craft a compelling case in your favor.

Your Lawyer Can Calculate Your Damages

When you file a boating accident claim, you want to ensure that you receive a fair settlement. This involves accurately calculating all of your costs, including long term and intangible costs. Your attorney will have the tools and knowledge necessary to estimate your settlement.

Your lawyer can help you identify all potential avenues to compensation and accurately calculate your potential award. Using this information, you can evaluate settlement offers and ensure that they are sufficient enough to meet your needs.

Boating Accident Statistics

Each year, the United States Coast Guard compiles statistics on recreational boating accidents that occur across the country. According to its 2020 report, approximately 5,265 accidents occurred, resulting in 3,191 injuries and 767 deaths. Additionally, these accidents resulted in approximately $62.5 million in damage.

The following factors were the top primary contributors to boating accidents in 2020.

  • Operator inattention resulted in 664 accidents.
  • Operator inexperience led to 612 accidents.
  • Improper lookout resulted in 578 accidents.
  • Excessive speed contributed to 418 accidents.
  • Machinery failure resulted in 373 accidents.
  • A violation of navigation rules led to 316 accidents.
  • Alcohol use led to 296 accidents and the highest number of fatalities at 115.

Contact a Portland Boating Accident Lawyer Near You 24/7

You do not have to struggle with the ramifications of a boating accident alone. A Portland personal injury lawyer at Tillmann Law can help you understand and defend your rights as an injured victim. Talk to our lawyers about your case in more detail today. Call us for a free consultation or contact us online.

Our personal injury law firm in Portland, OR also provides:

Justin Vieth
Justin Vieth
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Shimmeri Selph
Shimmeri Selph
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Don't waste your time.
Alan Rogers
Alan Rogers
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Thanks Aaron, we truly appreciate everything you have done for us.I know that I was a handful early on, but you handled it with a deft touch and ultimately proved yourself to be a great advocate for our family none the less.Thanks so much Bud!You have my eternal respect and gratitude.
Tim Cheredayko
Tim Cheredayko
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Tillmann helped me out a lot! Going over ever detail with the case from both sides and always informing me what is going to happen through out the case. Definitely recommend Tillmann Law!
A B
A B
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Rude. Classist. The receptionist needs some manners. Actually hung up when told was a low income family.
Justin W
Justin W
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I had the pleasure of working with Aaron and his team over the course of the last year. They were very professional and responsive. Dealing with injuries can be dreadful, but Aaron made it as painless as possible. I highly recommend.
Bonnie Thorn
Bonnie Thorn
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Aaron Tillmann and his entire staff were professional, empathetic and very knowledgeable. They assisted our family at a time when we were grieving the loss of our son with compassion and respect.
Tina Rutledge
Tina Rutledge
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Arisbet Bustos
Arisbet Bustos
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I am very grateful and pleased with the services of Lawyer Aaron and his team work, especially Julia, who was always attentive to my concerns and resolved my doubts with a good attitude and empathy, and best of all, she speaks Spanish. Thank you so much!!!
Ken Pollett
Ken Pollett
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I was involved in a serious auto accident. Not that there is a good time to be in any accident, it just happened to be 2020. Tillman Law and support staff kept me in the loop as the court system was disarray with all the Covid issues. The staff was very professional and courteous. In a nutshell, they took care of me.
Jordan Bedrick
Jordan Bedrick
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My husband was in a bad car accident a few years back, and he was stopped due to traffic. He was behind a fuel truck, and someone rear-ended him, going 60mph. The worst part was our 6 mo old was in our and the truck was totaled beyond repair and my husbands back injured severly he ended up with 2 broken vertebrae. Our child had ptsd any time getting into a vehicle after that. Tillman made this right even though we couldn't do much for our son other comfort him and make car rides more comfortable from there on out Tillman was able to get my husband the money he deserved after the other driver was extremely negligent and either not paying attention or on his phone or something unfortunately this was during covid and when the police came they didnt do a single thing to check for any of that. We can't say enough good things about Aaron Tillman he gave us our hope back and the ability to have back surgery to repair a lot of his back issues due to the car wreck. So if you have been in an accident definitely call Tillman Law they're amazing super professional, kind and empathetic beings who will work for the best possible outcome for your case and fight they won't just roll over and play dead they spent about 2.5 years on my husbands case never giving up. He was always super honest with my husband and always communicated everything. So again, thank you, Aaron Tillman, and thank you to your law firm for working so tirelessly. We appreciate it more than you know.
Cassie Kocker
Cassie Kocker
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Aaron is great. He is professional and personable which makes you feel cared about during the process. He will provide advice and resources so that the process is smooth and renders positive results. I highly recommend!
Michael Darling (Mike Rich)
Michael Darling (Mike Rich)
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Still working with them to this day! Great firm great people. Much recommend
Brittany Sloan
Brittany Sloan
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I can’t recommend Tillman Law enough. We were in a sticky situation from a car accident in December and my partner was out of work for over a month. Aaron told us we may not be able to get those lost wages, but he would definitely try to fight the insurance for them and even then we might not see the money for a long time. It’s only been 3 1/2 months since the accident and we just got our lost funds today. Tillman Law was quick, efficient, and made this entire situation much less painful. I appreciate everything they’ve done for us.
Hazel Ault
Hazel Ault
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Jennifer nelson
Jennifer nelson
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Great experience
Oksana Pavlenko
Oksana Pavlenko
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Really pleased with my experience at Tillmann Law. Mr. Tillmann and his team were on top of my case, worked hard to answer any questions I had and finished my case in a timely manner. I was really happy with the outcome . Thank you!
Robert Swanson
Robert Swanson
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Tucker Earp
Tucker Earp
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Linette Figueroa
Linette Figueroa
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Mr. Tillman took care of my care seamlessly! He immediately hopped on my case immediately and guided me through the entire process. His team is professional, organized and well-resourced! He even went back to ensure the settlement was beyond fair. If you want someone who will fight tooth and nail on your behalf- Mr. Tillman is your lawyer!
Robert Aley
Robert Aley
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I am so happy to promote Aaron and his team. They did such an amazing job handling my case. Call them if you need service. I called him when I first needed help with my accident and he called me back within five minutes. This team is so great! I am so happy to have worked with them.
Teresa Ochoa
Teresa Ochoa
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Mr. Tillmann and his paralegal Jason were fantastic to work with! They were always available to answer my questions in a timely manner and delivered a very good outcome after I was rear ended. I would recommend their services to anyone.
Roro Roro
Roro Roro
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Amazing team at the Tillman Law, LLC . His work speaks for it self. Thank you for being professional and above all understanding to different people. God bless everyone that works there .
Mercury Nightstone
Mercury Nightstone
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Aaron and his staff, especially Jason, were all extremely courteous, timely, and professional. Highly recommend, truly appreciate your hard work!
Danielle Martin
Danielle Martin
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The Tillman Law Firm is amazing! I have been very pleased with everyone that I came in contact with concerning my case. They filed the case against the insurance company and fought hard in litigation to get what rightfully was taken from me. I would highly recommend them, they are the best in the Portland metro area!
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