Colorado Springs Boat Accident Lawyer
Key Takeaways
- Deadline: 3 years if a motor vehicle was involved (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)); 2 years for most other injury claims (C.R.S. 13-80-102).
- Who is liable: Usually the operator, and often also the owner who let them use the vessel.
- If you were partly at fault: damages are reduced by your share and barred entirely at 50% (C.R.S. 13-21-111).
- Where it is filed: El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
What should I do after a boating accident in Colorado?
Get everyone accounted for first — the reason boating cases differ is that people go into the water.
Then report it: Colorado Parks and Wildlife takes boating accident reports, and a reportable accident must be reported by the operator, so an unreported incident is a problem before the claim even starts. Photograph the vessels, the damage and the conditions, note whether lifejackets were aboard and worn, and get the names of everyone on both boats and any witnesses on shore.
Who is liable for a boating accident?
Usually the operator, and often also the owner who let them use the vessel.
Beyond that it can reach a rental operator that put an inexperienced person on the water without instruction, an event or marina operator, or a manufacturer where a component failed. Alcohol is present in a high share of serious boating incidents, and boating under the influence is a criminal offence in Colorado — which does not decide the civil case, but changes the evidence available to it.
After a Colorado Springs Boating Injury, Speak to This Legal Team
Colorado is famed for its outdoor recreational opportunities. From spring to fall, Colorado residents put their boats of all shapes and sizes into the water and enjoy our state's natural attractions.
Unfortunately, as fun as it can be, boating also poses many dangers, and accidents happen more frequently than you might expect. There may be different causes of these accidents, but what they all have in common is a life-altering impact on the victims and their families. If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, speak to a Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer who will work to ensure that you are properly compensated.
Boat Accidents Can Be Deadly
According to statistics from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the state had more than 86,000 registered boating vessels in 2017. Although reporting of accidents can be problematic, CPW found that there were at least 20 injuries and 8 fatalities in 2017 alone. This does not include sailboats, which do not require registration; nor does it calculate the number of whitewater rafting incidents, which are exempt from having to be reported.
These figures are almost certainly on the low side, and they point to the very real danger of Colorado's outdoor recreation. While there are boating rules that are meant to protect Colorado boaters, they are not enforced the same way or as aggressively as road safety laws. This means that when you and your family head out on the water, it's important to do your utmost to follow safety regulations and watch out for bad operators.
An Incredible Diversity of Opportunities...and Dangers
Colorado offers residents and tourists the chance to raft, canoe, or kayak on our amazing rivers, including the Colorado and Arkansas Rivers. Others prefer the thrill of water skiing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing in our many lakes, such as the Soda or Grand County Lakes. If sailing is what you prefer, there's the Blue Mesa Reservoir. And for fishing enthusiasts, there are all kinds of hidden corners, including some in our beautiful state parks.
No matter what form of boating you prefer, there is always a risk when you head out on the water. One of the leading causes of boating accidents is operator intoxication. Speeding or recklessly operating a vessel is another common problem. Many accidents are caused by operator inattention or inexperience. Moreover, defective parts or safety equipment can also cause severe injuries or deaths.
The victims of these accidents often suffer serious and life-changing injuries. Typical boating injuries we see every year include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Broken bones
- Head and neck injuries
- Drownings or near-drownings
Fighting for the Rights of Colorado Springs Boat Accident Victims
The sad truth is that even when you take every foreseeable precaution, accidents still happen. Thankfully, when an injury or fatality occurs due to someone else's negligence, Colorado law protects victims and ensures they can be compensated.
The Colorado boat accident attorneys at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., have been fighting for the rights of victims for decades. We're committed to helping you and your family overcome the hardships of your accident, and that includes being properly compensated for all your medical bills, rehabilitation, missed time from work, and pain and suffering.
Our hardworking Colorado Springs lawyers are dedicated to building the best possible case on your behalf so you can concentrate on what's really important: making a full recovery. Call us today at (719) 475-2555 to schedule a free consultation.
Additional Information
- Five Top Tips for Colorado Boating Safety
- Four Tips For Boating Safety This Summer
- Accident Statistic - USCG Boating Safety
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
What Are the Colorado Deadlines and Rules on This Claim?
Which deadline applies depends on how the injury happened, not on what it is called. Colorado gives three years to a claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle and two years to most other injury claims. Missing the deadline normally ends the claim regardless of its merits.
| A claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle | 3 years — C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n) |
|---|---|
| Most other personal injury claims | 2 years — C.R.S. 13-80-102 |
| If you were partly at fault | Damages reduced by your share, barred at 50% — C.R.S. 13-21-111 |
| Where a Colorado Springs claim is filed | El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 |
Sources and References
- Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 13 (Colorado General Assembly)
- El Paso County Combined Courts — Colorado Judicial Branch
- The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. — Google Business Profile
Deadlines are cited by section to the Colorado General Assembly’s published 2024 revised statutes. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is decided on its own facts.
Our Colorado Springs Office
The Bussey Law Firm, P.C.
12 E. Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 475-2555
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Rated 5.0 from 208 Google reviews — see the firm on Google Business Profile.