John Richmond, Co-Founder and CEO
- June 12, 2025
- Why Hire a Monroe County Boat Accident Lawyer at Richmond Vona?
- New York Boating Laws That May Affect Your Claim
- What Compensation Can a Boat Accident Lawyer in Rochester Help You Recover?
- Time Limits for Filing a Boating Accident Claim
- How a Monroe County Boat Accident Lawyer at Richmond Vona Can Support You
- Contact a Rochester Boat Accident Lawyer Today
New York State has numerous beautiful waterways, providing unparalleled scenery and local getaway spots for families who want to spend time on the water. Whether you’re spending a scorching summer day on Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, or the Finger Lakes, or commuting across the St. Lawrence Seaway or the Erie Canal, New York State’s waterways are indispensable to most New Yorkers’ lives.
But with the convenience and enjoyment of local waterways comes inherent risk from reckless operation, negligent boaters, and drinking and boating. In 2023, New York State had 427,562 registered vessels. Unfortunately, there were also 136 accidents, 54 injuries, and nine fatalities.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a boating accident, you’re not alone. Richmond Vona’s local Rochester boat accident lawyers are here to help you understand your rights. Contact us today to see if you can recover damages for your injuries.
Why Hire a Monroe County Boat Accident Lawyer at Richmond Vona?
With over two decades of combined personal injury experience and over $200 million in recoveries for personal injury cases, our experienced Monroe County boat accident lawyers are committed to providing skilled representation with resolute integrity.
At Richmond Vona, we provide a fresh, personable take on legal care through consistent and compassionate communication, inventive thinking, and creative problem-solving, as well as focusing on quality client experiences instead of the value of each case. Our lower client volume allows us to provide personalized attention and a dedicated 3-4 person team to every client who comes to us for help, so you don’t just feel like a number or case file. You feel like part of the family.
When you suffer an injury or loss, the last thing you need is additional stress from your legal team. As New York State natives still practicing in our hometowns, we understand the unique challenges our neighbors face and the intricacies of New York life. At Richmond Vona, our Rochester injury attorneys are a trusted source of support, here to help you heal and recover the compensation you deserve.
”At Richmond Vona, we think it’s really important to approach every case as if it’s going to go to trial. The best way to avoid a trial is to hire real trial lawyers. Insurance companies know which law firms are serious — and which ones just want a quick settlement. We pride ourselves on having a team of very experienced and skilled trial lawyers who’ve learned from the best in the country and bring that skill set back to Western New York.”
New York Boating Laws That May Affect Your Claim
New York State has numerous boating laws and safety regulations to keep you and other boaters safe. When negligent boaters fail to meet these safety standards, leading to injuries, fatalities, and property damage, it is crucial to follow the proper steps to protect yourself and your rights.
- Offer Assistance: All boaters are required to assist other vessels as long as it does not endanger them or interfere with law enforcement. This law, also known as the Good Samaritan law, encourages people to offer assistance regardless of their involvement in the accident and provides a sequential guide for bystanders to offer help.
- Exchange Information: Includes your vehicle identification number, name, and address.
- Assess Damage and Contact Authorities If Needed: Any property damage totaling less than $1,000 can be sorted out between the involved parties. Local authorities should be contacted if there is a personal injury or damages exceed $1,000.
- File A Report: Accident reports are mandatory if there is a personal injury, fatality, or if property damage exceeds $1,000. Involved parties only have five days to file with the New York State Parks Department, making it crucial to contact a Rochester boat accident lawyer immediately to ensure your penalty is at its minimum and all necessary filing deadlines are met.
Failing to report an accident can result in legal penalties, including license revocation, fines, and imprisonment. Timely reporting of a boating incident provides valuable information to build your case, ensures victims receive any necessary assistance, and can help improve safety regulations, preventing similar incidents in the future.
What Compensation Can a Boat Accident Lawyer in Rochester Help You Recover?
Filing a boating accident claim offers a variety of routes for compensation depending on the severity of your accident. Some of the most common avenues for compensation include:
- Medical Expenses: Covers all medical costs after you are injured in an accident, and sometimes includes funeral expenses.
- Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity: Compensates for any wages a victim may lose while unable to work during recovery. For accidents resulting in long-term disability or reduced ability to work, the victim may receive compensation for future lost income or reduced income if forced into a lower-paying position.
- Property Damage: Helps cover any damage to other property or boats.
- Pain and Suffering: Aids in compensating for physical and emotional stress caused by the accident.
- Reduced Quality of Life: For victims who sustain a catastrophic injury or long-term impairment, and have decreased enjoyment or satisfaction with life as a result.
- Punitive Damages: When the defendant’s behavior was reckless or intentional, courts may award punitive damages to penalize and deter similar actions in the future.
Time Limits for Filing a Boating Accident Claim
In New York State, you have three years from the accident to file a personal injury claim. In the unfortunate case of a death in a boating accident, the deceased’s family has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. It’s important to note the time limit starts from the date of death, not from the accident date.
While these deadlines for filing are stringent, there are some exceptions:
- Government Entities: Claims against government entities only have a 90-day window to file a Notice of Claim. After filing, you have one year and 90 days to start a lawsuit. Missing the initial 90-day window voids your chance for compensation.
- Minors: In New York State, minors are allowed more time to file claims. The three-year personal injury limit starts when they turn 18, allowing injured children to file a claim until they turn 21. Despite the extended time frame, parents or guardians should act quickly to ensure all the necessary evidence is compiled to secure maximum compensation.
The deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death claim are stringent, and failing to file within the given timeline can lead to your case being dismissed. Don’t wait to file a claim and risk losing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering. Get in touch with a boat accident lawyer in Rochester to learn more about your rights and what we can do to secure the compensation you deserve.
How a Monroe County Boat Accident Lawyer at Richmond Vona Can Support You
As the fastest-growing personal injury firm on the market, Richmond Vona is the intersection between compassionate legal care and aggressive advocacy. Our skills, experience, and tenacity allow us to go up against large corporations and insurance companies and win on your behalf.
Here’s what you can expect working with Richmond Vona:
- Free, no-obligation initial consultation
- Thorough investigation and evidence-gathering
- Negotiation with insurance companies on your behalf
- Aggressive representation in court, if necessary
Contact a Rochester Boat Accident Lawyer Today
When the unexpected happens, expect Richmond Vona to stand up for your rights, advocate for your story, and fight for the compensation you deserve. You don’t have to face this legal journey alone. Contact a Monroe County boat accident lawyer today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
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Words cannot describe how grateful my wife and I are of John Richmond. His friendliness, knowledge, loyalty and professionalism are of the highest level. Being this was the first time we’ve had to obtain legal assistance, John made this process very easy for my wife and I. We both would highly recommend Richmond Vona.
What a phenomenal experience to come from a terrifying accident. From day 1 Richmond/Vona provided me with nothing but comfort and professionalism. Communication is paramount in my needs and they performed that with nothing short of exceptional. Mr. Richmond made me feel like this was the only case he was working on. Thank you to all of your staff for looking out for my best interests and taking a stressful situation and making it so very easy for me and my family.
My experience with Keith Vona was exceptional. To this day, I am grateful for the dedication and compassion he displayed throughout my case. The outcome of my case was successful as a result of his drive and commitment. I would highly recommend Keith Vona to anyone in need of legal representation.
