Watch Matt Kahn’s News Interview On Atlanta News First
ATLANTA, GEORGIA (May 27, 2025) – Georgia officials are urging state residents to be safe in the water this Memorial Day weekend.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division estimates that there were over 137 boating accidents in the last year alone. These accidents resulted in 20 fatalities and another 52 injuries.
An additional 57 people lost their lives in drownings across the state. Matt Kahn is an attorney and partner at Butler Kahn based out of Atlanta.
One of his areas of focus is helping families who have been impacted by boating accidents and drownings. According to Kahn, an important part of accident prevention is learning right-of-way rules before ever getting on a boat.
Any situation where there are lots of swimmers and boaters in the water can become hazardous–especially when few parties understand who has the right-of-way. Kahn tells Atlanta News First, “you have a bunch of people on a small body of water driving towards each other not knowing who has the right-of-way. We see collisions. We see boats running over swimmers. That can happen regardless of your level of experience.”
Memorial Day remains one of the largest gatherings of swimmers and boaters at any point in the year. It is therefore not surprising that there is a sharp rise in accidents around this time each year.
Liability for Georgia Boat Accidents
Thousands of people are seriously injured or killed in boat accidents every year across Georgia and the United States. According to the United States Coast Guard, “In calendar year 2023, the Coast Guard counted 3,844 accidents that involved 564 deaths, 2,126 injuries and approximately $63 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents.” Many different factors could contribute to a boat accident.
- Operational Error: The vast majority of boat accidents involve errors on the part of boat operators. This could include failing to watch for other boats or obstacles in the water.
- Weather: Operating safely can be difficult even in calm waters. Inexperienced operators can easily become overwhelmed by adverse weather conditions, such as high winds or fog that reduces visibility.
- Mechanical Failures: Boats are complex pieces of machinery and require routine maintenance and inspections in much the same way that vehicles do. When a boat is not properly maintained, this could lead to a mechanical failure that results in a catastrophic accident.
- No Life Jacket: One of the most common and preventable causes of boat accident fatalities is simply not wearing a life jacket. Life jackets should be worn by all boat occupants, regardless of whether or not they can swim.
There could be numerous liable parties for any drowning or boat accident in the state of Georgia. Boat operators must be particularly cautious in areas with swimmers. Pursuant to GA Code § 52-7-12.1, “Any person who operates any vessel or manipulates any water skis, aquaplane, surfboard, tube, or similar device in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property commits the offense of reckless operation of a vessel or other water device.” When a boat operator fails to slow down to avoid hitting someone in the water, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. It is important that several steps are taken after any Georgia boat accident.
- Police Report: Boat accidents should be reported to the authorities the same way that car accidents are. The authorities will conduct an investigation and make an initial determination in terms of liability.
- Medical Treatment: Accident victims should seek a thorough medical evaluation in order to determine the full extent of their injuries. When necessary, any resulting injuries should be treated as soon as possible.
- Experienced Attorney: Victims of boat accidents should contact an experienced Atlanta boat accident attorney. An attorney can help accident victims receive the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover.
Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be extremely difficult. This is especially true when swimmers are run over by boats or hit by their propellers. The injury sustained from the collisions can turn a person’s life upside down. To make matters worse, boat operators and their insurance providers will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility in the event of an accident. This is why it is so important for victims to seek the guidance of an experienced boat accident attorney. An attorney can evaluate all of the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know if you have a claim that can be pursued.
Getting Legal Help for Georgia Boat Accidents
We at Butler Kahn extend our deepest condolences to all of the families who have lost loved ones in boating accidents and drownings across Georgia. As you and your family celebrate Memorial Day Weekend, please adhere to all of the water safety rules designed to keep everyone safe. Perhaps most importantly, don’t forget to bring and wear a life jacket when you’re out on the water. It just may save your life one day.
Have you or someone you care about been injured or killed in a Georgia boat accident or drowning? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of highly experienced Georgia boat accident attorneys is here to assist you in any way that we can. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here to serve your needs. You can contact us anytime at 678-940-1444.
