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Minnesota's pristine lakes and rivers offer some of the nation's finest boating experiences. But negligent operators, defective equipment, or hazardous conditions can transform a fun outing into a life-altering disaster.
Since 1952, SiebenCarey has protected the rights of Minnesotans injured in boating accidents throughout the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Whether you've been injured in a boat collision, propeller strike, or drowning incident, our team has the experience and resources to help you get the compensation you’re owed under state law.
Schedule a free and confidential boating accident consultation with a SiebenCarey attorney.
Minnesota has more boat registrations per capita than any other state, with hundreds of thousands of watercraft navigating our lakes and rivers every year. Unfortunately, this popularity creates significant accident risks, particularly during peak summer months when crowded waterways make collisions more likely.
When accidents happen, they can leave Minnesotans dealing with serious injuries, costly medical expenses, and profound grief. Worse still, many accidents are the result of simple negligence. Alcohol is a factor in about one-third of boating accidents in Minnesota, while many fatalities are caused by the victim not wearing a life preserver.
When facing the aftermath of a serious boating accident, choosing the right legal representation can make all the difference. Here's why SiebenCarey stands apart as Minnesota's trusted choice for boating accident claims.
Founded in 1952, SiebenCarey has grown to become one of the state’s most respected practices. For more than 70 years, the firm has helped thousands of Minnesotans get the compensation they need after an accident.
Our legal team includes eight Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists, an honor less than 3% of all Minnesota attorneys can claim. Sixteen of our attorneys have been recognized as Super Lawyers or Rising Stars honorees, representing the top 5% of attorneys in Minnesota. Twelve of our attorneys have been selected among The Best Lawyers in America, and our firm has been named as a Best Law Firm by U.S. News & World Report every year since 2010.
SiebenCarey has the financial resources to fund extensive investigations, retain top marine experts, and pursue cases against well-funded defendants for as long as necessary.
The Know Your Rights tradition has guided our firm since the beginning. We are here to guard the rights of injured Minnesotans, not to protect the interests of insurance companies. Our tradition is rooted in a caring attitude, genuine passion, and clear communication with every client. Our whole team is determined to set you at ease and put you back in control of your future.
SiebenCarey maintains offices in Minneapolis, Lakeville, and Duluth, allowing us to serve boating accident victims throughout Minnesota's lake country while maintaining the personal attention that sets us apart from larger, impersonal firms.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if we win your case. We advance all investigation costs, expert fees, and litigation expenses without requiring any upfront payment from you. When we do secure compensation, our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or award.
Our comprehensive approach to Minnesota boating accidents is designed to protect your rights and health while seeking the maximum compensation available.
Boating accidents often occur in remote locations where evidence can quickly disappear due to currents, weather, or ongoing water traffic. Our rapid response team works with marine investigators to document accident scenes, preserve physical evidence, and identify witnesses before crucial information is lost.
We thoroughly examine whether all parties complied with Minnesota DNR regulations, Coast Guard requirements, and local ordinances. Regulatory violations often provide strong evidence of negligence and can significantly strengthen your case.
Complex boating cases require specialized insights into marine engineering, accident reconstruction, weather analysis, and vessel operation. Our established network of expert witnesses will help us prove your claim and calculate your damages.
Boating insurance coverage varies significantly and may fall under homeowners' policies, specialized marine insurance, or umbrella coverage. We will identify all available coverage sources and ensure proper claim procedures are followed.
Some boating accidents involve federal maritime law, particularly those occurring on navigable waters or involving commercial vessels. Our attorneys understand the interplay between state and federal regulations to pursue all available legal remedies.
When accidents involve out-of-state residents or occur near state borders, complex jurisdictional issues may arise. Our experience with interstate boating cases ensures your rights are protected regardless of where the parties come from.
It is unlawful to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance in Minnesota. Operating while intoxicated causes impaired judgment, delayed reaction times, and reckless decision-making that puts everyone on the water at risk. The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for impaired operation is .08%, the same as when driving a car.
Starting on July 1, 2025, a new law will require some adults and youth who operate motorboats (including personal watercraft) to have a valid watercraft operator's permit.
Young operators (people less than 12 years old) cannot operate a personal watercraft or any motorboat with a motor over 75 horsepower.
If someone has been injured or killed in a boating accident, the operator of the watercraft is required to stop and help the victim if it is safe to do so. The operator is required to give their name, address, and license of the boat, and the name and address of the owner to the injured party.
The most common boating accidents are boat-to-boat collisions and boats colliding with stationary objects, such as a dock. These high-impact crashes often occur when operators fail to maintain proper lookout, violate right-of-way rules, or operate at dangerously high speeds.
When passengers fall overboard or swimmers venture too close to operating vessels, propeller strikes can cause devastating injuries, including lacerations and loss of limbs.. These accidents often result from inadequate safety protocols, missing engine cutoff switches, or operator negligence.
Falling from a boat or ejection might not sound bad to some, but high speeds can make it truly dangerous. Spinal cord injuries and broken bones can occur from hitting the water when moving quickly. Overcrowding, improper weight distribution, or severe weather can cause vessels to capsize, throwing occupants into dangerous waters.
Jet skis and similar personal watercraft create unique hazards due to their speed, maneuverability, and proximity to other vessels. Operators often lack adequate training or experience to handle emergency situations safely.
Serious injuries can occur on commercial boats and cruise ships even when there’s no collision. These cases may be subject to federal maritime law in addition to state regulations.
Large vessels create substantial wakes that can capsize smaller boats, throw passengers overboard, or cause collisions when operators lose control in turbulent water.
Minnesota's cold waters pose year-round drowning risks. Drowning accidents often involve children who aren't properly supervised, adults who overestimate their swimming abilities in open water, or situations where alcohol impairs judgment about water safety. Even strong swimmers can struggle in Minnesota's lakes due to cold water shock, unexpected currents, or disorientation after falling from moving vessels.
Boating accident injuries can be severe. In some cases, they may impact your career, personal relationship, and overall quality of life for years to come.
High-speed impacts with water, other vessels, or fixed objects frequently cause concussions, skull fractures, and severe brain trauma. These neurological injuries can result in cognitive impairment, memory problems, and personality changes that affect every aspect of life.
The forces involved in boating accidents, whether from collisions or diving into shallow water, can cause devastating spinal injuries ranging from herniated discs to complete paralysis. This often requires lifetime care.
Drowning is the most common form of fatal boating accidents. Even non-fatal drowning incidents can cause permanent brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, while near-drowning experiences often result in pneumonia and other respiratory complications.
Propeller strikes and contact with sharp metal edges can cause severe cuts requiring extensive plastic surgery and potential limb amputation. These injuries often result in permanent scarring and functional limitations.
Minnesota's cold waters pose serious threats to accident victims who end up in the water, particularly during spring and fall boating seasons when water temperatures remain dangerously low.
The sudden deceleration and impact forces in boating collisions frequently cause fractures and joint dislocations. These injuries may require surgical reconstruction and lengthy rehabilitation.
Fuel fires, electrical malfunctions, or engine explosions can cause severe burn injuries requiring specialized treatment. This can even necessitate reconstructive surgeries.
There are a few common culprits when assigning fault for a Minnesota boating accident.
Most boating accidents happen when the driver is careless, inexperienced, or inattentive. Minnesota law imposes specific duties on boat operators, including maintaining proper lookout, operating at safe speeds for conditions, yielding right-of-way appropriately, and not driving the boat while impaired. Violating any of these duties can result in legal action.
A passenger may be liable if they acted in a way that caused the accident, such as starting a fight that incapacitated the boat operator. Passengers who interfere with safe operation, distract operators, or create dangerous conditions may share responsibility for resulting injuries.
A manufacturer may be liable if the boat accident was the result of a defective product. Faulty engines, steering systems, safety equipment, or hull defects can cause catastrophic failures, leading to serious accidents and injuries. This can result in a product liability claim.
Property owners and marina operators have duties to maintain safe conditions, provide adequate lighting, and warn of known hazards. Those who fail to meet these obligations can face legal consequences when their negligence causes an accident.
Boat rental companies must provide safe, properly maintained vessels and ensure renters receive adequate safety instruction. Negligent maintenance or insufficient training can leave them responsible for an accident.
A restaurant or bar may be liable if they serve alcohol to an obviously intoxicated individual and that individual later crashes a boat. Minnesota's dram shop laws can extend liability to establishments that overserve patrons who subsequently cause boating accidents.
Boating injuries can lead to extensive medical treatment and time off work. Under Minnesota law, you can include a wide range of damages in an injury claim.
Beyond immediate emergency treatment, boating injuries may require ongoing rehabilitation, specialized equipment, and potential future surgeries. We collaborate with medical economists to calculate total lifetime care costs, ensuring settlements cover all future needs.
Serious boating injuries can permanently affect your earning capacity, particularly for those whose careers require physical capabilities compromised by their injuries. Our economic experts document both immediate wage loss and long-term career impact.
The sudden, traumatic nature of boating accidents often creates unique psychological trauma beyond typical injury scenarios. We ensure compensation reflects both physical pain and emotional distress, including potential PTSD from water-related trauma.
Boating injuries can limit your ability to enjoy your life, especially for water activities or family outings. We will pursue compensation for any ways your injury has hurt your quality of life.
Boating accidents affect entire families, not just individual victims. Spouses may lose companionship while family activities become limited by injury-related restrictions. Our comprehensive approach ensures these family-wide impacts receive appropriate consideration.
In cases involving particularly negligent conduct, such as drunk or reckless boating, Minnesota laws allow punitive damages. These additional demands are designed to punish defendants and deter similar future conduct.
Your actions immediately following a boating accident can help preserve your health and protect your rights.
Get all injured parties out of the water and seek immediate medical attention. Even minor-seeming injuries can become serious, and near-drowning victims require prompt evaluation for secondary complications.
If safely possible, prevent additional collisions by using flares, horns, or radio calls to warn other boaters. Move vessels to safe locations without altering their damaged condition.
Photograph vessel damage, the accident scene, weather conditions, and injuries from multiple angles. Note water conditions, visibility, time of day, and any environmental factors that may have contributed to the accident.
Many times, conducting an early investigation and getting witness statements can be crucial to your case. Other boaters, passengers, or shore-based witnesses may provide crucial testimony about how the accident occurred.
If possible, preserve any damaged equipment, navigation devices, or personal items that might provide evidence about the accident's cause. Don't allow vessels to be repaired before a thorough inspection by qualified experts.
The operator is required to immediately report the accident to the county sheriff's office. File reports with the Minnesota DNR and Coast Guard as required by law, but avoid detailed statements until consulting with legal counsel.
Notify your insurance company of the accident, but avoid providing detailed recorded statements until you’ve spoken with an attorney. Your insurance provider could use your words to deny your claim or reduce your settlement.
Early legal intervention protects your rights, preserves evidence, and ensures proper investigation procedures are followed from the outset. Call us at 1-800-4-RIGHTS for immediate assistance.
When boating accidents shatter lives and disrupt families, SiebenCarey can help you navigate complex legal waters and secure the compensation you deserve.
Don't let negligent operators or defective equipment manufacturers escape responsibility for accidents that could have been prevented. Our team is available 24/7 to evaluate your case and explain your legal options.
For your convenience, we have locations in Minneapolis, Lakeville, and Duluth. If you’re resting at home or in a hospital, we can come to you. There’s no need to make a trip to our office.
901 S Marquette Avenue, Suite 500Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
Phone: 612-333-4500Fax: 612-333-5970
Also awarded in:
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.
5 of our attorneys have been recognized as Attorneys of the Year
Also awarded in:
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
Also awarded in:
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008
7 Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists, Minnesota Bar Association
3 Board Certified Trial Advocates, National Board of Trial Advocacy.
