Boating Accidents

---

Serious injuries deserve serious legal action.  Whether you were injured while boating in Narragansett Bay, near Block Island, off the coast of Newport, or on an inland body of water like Worden Pond, a boating accident can change your life in an instant. Crashes involving boats, jet skis, yachts, or other watercraft often result in catastrophic injuries due to high speeds, lack of protection, and delayed rescue. At Corrao & Robles Law, we fight for the rights of victims who’ve been seriously injured or lost loved ones in boating accidents caused by negligence, recklessness, or unsafe conditions on the water.

Boating accidents are complex. You may be facing mounting medical bills, lost income, emotional trauma, and long-term physical recovery. Whether the accident was caused by an intoxicated boat operator, equipment failure, a navigation error, or another vessel violating boating laws, our experienced Rhode Island boating accident lawyers are here to help you pursue justice and full financial compensation. 

Each summer, thousands of Rhode Islanders and tourists take to the water for recreation—but not all boat operators take safety seriously. Some of the most common causes of boating accidents in Rhode Island include:

• Boating under the influence (BUI) of alcohol or drugs
• Operator inattention or inexperience
• High-speed collisions with other boats, docks, swimmers, or jet skis
• Overcrowding, improper loading, or failure to provide life jackets
• Mechanical failures or defective watercraft equipment
• Hazardous weather and poor maritime visibility
   

Many of these accidents are preventable. If someone else’s negligence caused your boating injury, whether on a commercial charter, private vessel, or rental watercraft, Corrao & Robles Law will hold them accountable.

Boating accident claims are unique because they may fall under state law, federal maritime law, or both, depending on where the incident occurred. Our attorneys have experience handling boating injuries involving both navigable waters and inland lakes, and we help clients identify the proper jurisdiction and legal strategy for their specific case.

Under Rhode Island law, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Emergency medical care and ongoing treatment
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term disability or permanent injury
• Property damage to your boat or personal items
• Wrongful death (for family members who’ve lost a loved one in a boating accident)

If you live in Massachusetts and were injured while boating in Rhode Island waters, such as Block Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, or off the coast of Little Compton, you may still be able to file a personal injury claim under Rhode Island law. This is especially important for residents of nearby towns like Fall River, New Bedford, Dartmouth, or Seekonk who travel into RI for recreational boating.

Our firm routinely represents Massachusetts residents injured in Rhode Island accidents, and we’ll help you understand the differences in negligence laws (e.g., RI’s pure comparative negligence vs. MA’s 51% bar rule), which court system has jurisdiction, and how to recover maximum compensation across state lines.

At Corrao & Robles Law, we bring deep local knowledge and aggressive legal representation to victims of boating accidents across Rhode Island. From private boat crashes off the coast of Newport to jet ski accidents on the Sakonnet River, we have the experience and litigation skills to pursue serious injury and wrongful death claims in both state and federal court.

We work with accident reconstruction specialists, maritime law experts, and medical professionals to build strong, evidence-based cases for our clients. We also handle communication with boat owners, insurers, charter companies, and defense attorneys so you can focus on healing while we focus on getting results.

Our goal is simple: to hold negligent parties accountable and help you recover everything you’re owed.

The time to file a boating crash claim is limited by state law, so don't wait!  Call us today at (401) 445-4562 and speak with one of our attorneys!