John Richmond, Co-Founder and CEO
- July 7, 2026
For most people, an afternoon on the water is an opportunity to enjoy the weather or spend time with family. Unfortunately, some boating trips end in devastating accidents. If a boating incident resulted in your injuries, it is time to consider your legal options. A seasoned personal injury attorney might be able to help you recover compensation for your losses.
Contact a Buffalo boat accident lawyer to provide you with the legal support you need during a critical time. At Richmond Vona, we are here to listen, understand, and advocate on your behalf. Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.
Common Boat Accident Injuries
Boats and other water vessels can travel at high speeds, and the injuries resulting from a collision can be devastating. The harm that can follow these boat accidents often ranges in severity depending on the circumstances of the event. Some boat passengers suffer an injury when the boat collides with a solid object or another vessel. Other injuries happen after falling overboard. Some of the common types of boating crash injuries include:
- Bruising
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputation
- Drowning
No matter the circumstances, you should not have to suffer the financial burden of someone else’s negligence on top of the physical pain you are facing. A skilled Buffalo boat collision attorney can help pursue compensation for your losses and hold the liable parties accountable.
How Boat Accidents Happen
There are various causes of boating-related incidents. Most of the time, these accidents occur due to operator error. This is true for both collisions between two boats and single-vessel accidents. These crashes could even happen due to the negligent actions of a boat passenger.
In other scenarios, boat accidents can occur due to a mechanical defect. Some vessels or their parts are dangerously defective, and can cause a watercraft to suddenly increase or decrease its speed, or stop working entirely. If an incident occurs due to a faulty mechanism, it may be possible to bring legal action against the manufacturer.
Statute of Limitations for Boating Collisions
Every civil claim filed in Buffalo has to comply with something known as the statute of limitations, which is the legal deadline that limits the amount of time a person has to pursue legal action. This deadline exists to prevent lengthy delays between an injury and the related lawsuit. In most cases, this timeframe is three years. That means a person injured in a Buffalo watercraft accident typically has three years to seek legal counsel and pursue action.
If an injury claim is filed after the deadline expires, it will likely be dismissed with prejudice, and any efforts to refile will be barred forever. Seeking legal guidance from an attorney you can trust will help ensure your claim is filed within the statute of limitations.
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This law firm goes above and beyond to fight for you. Their entire team treats you with respect and truly cares about your well-being. Look no further if you need a personal injury lawyer.
John Richmond and the team at Richmond Vona did an incredible job with my complicated personal injury case. They made sure no stone was unturned and got me the settlement I deserved for my situation. They treat you well, explain everything you need to know and more so you are always in the loop about the status of your case. John was easy to get in touch with anytime during the process and made signing paperwork easy and understandable. Their entire staff is professional and helpful throughout the process These guys are fair, trustworthy, and will stand up for you!
This firm’s attention to detail is second to none. It’s evident that they are true professionals and really care about their injured clients. This is the firm to call if you have been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence.
Contact Our Buffalo Boat Accident Attorneys Today
If you or a family member was injured in a boat accident on Lake Erie, the Niagara River, or anywhere in Western New York, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Our team handles boat accident cases with the same focus we bring to every injury claim: speed, direct attorney contact, and results.
Contact Richmond Vona for a free consultation. We’ll walk you through what happened, explain your rights against the boat owner or operator, and tell you straight if we can help. We represent injured victims throughout Western New York, including Erie County, Niagara County, and beyond.