Boating Accident Lawyers Little Rock, AR | Rainwater, Holt, & Sexton

Little Rock Boat
Accident Lawyers

A day on the water should never end in tragedy—but for too many Arkansas families, that’s exactly what happens. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a boating accident, we’d be honored to help you through this hard time.

At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, we understand the unique challenges that follow a serious boating accident. Our team has handled waterway injury cases across Arkansas and is here to help you recover fair compensation. We can help victims of boating accidents on Lake Ouachita, Bull Shoals Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, and throughout the Arkansas River system.

If you or a loved one has been hurt on the water, don’t wait. You need an attorney who understands the law, knows the lakes, and has the resources to represent you well. Get a free consultation today.

We’re here to help.

Respect

We treat all our clients with the utmost respect.

No fee

Our No Fee Guarantee® means you pay us nothing unless we win your case.

24/7 access

You get access to our legal team anywhere, anytime.

WE GET YOU RESULTS

4.7
1,100+ Google Reviews

NATIONALLY RESPECTED. LOCALLY TRUSTED.

Our Boating Accident Case Results

$50,000

Boat Fire | Body Scarring

$37,000

Boat Accident | Body Scarring

$100,000

Boating injury | Neck and Shoulder Injuries

See More Case Results

Common Causes of Arkansas
Boating Accidents

Boating accidents in Arkansas are often preventable, which means you and your family may be able to recover compensation. Here are some of the most common causes we see in cases across the state:

Many people get behind the wheel of a boat with little or no formal training. Without knowing how to handle wake, currents, or sudden changes in weather, the risk of accidents skyrockets.

Boating under the influence (BUI), which is defined as having a BAC of 0.08% or higher, is illegal. Impaired judgment, delayed reaction time, and risky behavior can lead to disaster on the water

Poorly maintained vessels and manufacturing defects can result in mechanical failure, fires, and loss of control. A skilled lawyer will help you pursue compensation from all responsible parties.

Just like on the road, reckless behavior—like weaving between boats, speeding, or ignoring no-wake zones—can cause serious harm.

Sudden storms, fog, or lack of lighting can turn a routine outing into a dangerous emergency, especially for underprepared operators. This may play a role in an investigation and lawsuit.

Injured In a Boating Accident? Call us.

Our No Fee Guarantee® means you pay us nothing unless we win your case.
Contact Us For Free Case Evaluation

Types of Boating Accident
Injuries We Handle

With offices spread throughout Arkansas, we’ve supported the victims of countless boating accidents. Here’s a closer look at the types of injuries we commonly see.

Drowning remains a leading cause of death in boating accidents. Even when victims survive, near-drowning can lead to permanent brain damage due to oxygen deprivation and complications like aspiration pneumonia or neurological deficits.

Boat propellers spin at high speeds and can cause deep lacerations, severed limbs, or massive blood loss in seconds. We’ll help you receive maximum compensation that reflects the full extent of your damages.

A head striking the deck, side rail, or another vessel can result in concussions, closed-skull injuries, or severe TBIs. Sudden impact or being crushed between two vessels can also fracture the vertebrae or sever the spinal cord, resulting in partial or full paralysis.

Arms, legs, and torsos can be trapped during a capsize or pinned between vessels or docks, causing complex fractures that require surgeries, pins, and months of rehabilitation.

Even in summer, Arkansas lakes and rivers can cause hypothermia with prolonged exposure. Cold shock and fatigue make swimming nearly impossible for long durations, especially after trauma.

Though less common, fires caused by fuel leaks or electrical faults can cause thermal burns or chemical burns, both of which require extensive medical care and skin grafts. Our team has successfully represented boating burn accident victims.

Each of these injuries often leads to long-term rehabilitation, lifestyle adjustments, and emotional trauma, which must be factored into your compensation claim.

What to Do After a Boating Accident
in Arkansas

What you do in the moments and days after a boating accident can make all the difference.

Get everyone out of the water and away from danger. Administer first aid and call for emergency help if needed.

In Arkansas, you must report serious boating accidents to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. You can find updated contact info on this page—the boating accident hotline is available 24/7.

Take photos of the accident scene, the vessels, your injuries, and weather conditions. Get contact information from witnesses if there are any.

Even if injuries seem minor, get checked out. Many water-related injuries worsen over time, and prompt medical treatment is key to your recovery. If you have serious injuries, contact medical help right away.

Insurance adjusters may seem friendly, but they work for the other side. Speaking with an experienced attorney first helps protect your rights and future claim.

Compensation for Arkansas Boating Accident Victims

Boating accident injuries can turn your life upside down—but you shouldn’t suffer alone. We’re here to advocate for you.

If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, Arkansas law allows victims to pursue several types of damages. These typically fall into three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic Damages

These are the tangible, measurable costs related to the accident—often the largest portion of a personal injury claim. They include:

  • Medical Expenses: Hospital bills, ambulance fees, surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy, home healthcare, and long-term treatment needs.
  • Lost Wages: Income lost while recovering from the accident, including missed work days, job loss, or being forced into a lower-paying role due to injury.
  • Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries permanently reduce your ability to earn, you may recover compensation for the future income you can no longer earn.
  • Property Damage: Repair or replacement of your boat, fishing equipment, electronics, and other personal property damaged in the accident.
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs: Travel to medical appointments, home modifications to accommodate a disability, and other related expenses.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages recognize the emotional, psychological, and personal toll of the accident—things that don’t show up on a receipt but still have lasting effects:

  • Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, chronic discomfort, and the daily impact of living with injuries.
  • Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health consequences tied to the trauma of the accident.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: The inability to participate in hobbies, activities, or family traditions you once enjoyed—like swimming, boating, or playing with your kids.
  • Loss of Consortium: Compensation for how the injury affects relationships with your spouse or family, including intimacy, companionship, and caregiving.

Punitive Damages

While less common, punitive damages may be awarded in personal injury cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct. These are meant to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future.

For example:

  • A boat operator who was heavily intoxicated, speeding through a no-wake zone, and ignored repeated safety warnings may face punitive damages.
  • A rental company that knowingly rented out a defective vessel without required safety checks could be held to the same standard.

Punitive damages are separate from your actual losses and can significantly increase the total compensation awarded in especially egregious cases.

Why You Need an Attorney for Full Compensation

Boat accidents are legally and logistically complex. They can involve limited insurance, multi-party liability, and overlapping jurisdiction across state or federal waters. A skilled boating accident attorney can:

  • Calculate the true value of your claim
  • Identify all liable parties
  • Navigate tricky insurance negotiations
  • Maximize both economic and non-economic recovery

At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, we’ve helped boating accident victims throughout Arkansas secure compensation that reflects the full scope of their losses, not just what the insurance company is willing to offer.

Arkansas Boating Laws
and Liability

Arkansas boating laws are enforced by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Understanding these regulations is key to establishing fault after an accident.

Here’s what every boater, and every accident victim, should know:

  • Boating License Requirements
    Anyone born on or after January 1, 1986 must complete a state-approved boating education course.
  • Required Safety Equipment
    Boats must carry life jackets, fire extinguishers, navigation lights, and other essentials. Failure to comply may indicate negligence.
  • Alcohol and BUI Laws
    Operating a boat with a BAC over 0.08% is illegal in Arkansas. BUI penalties can be severe—and a BUI citation against another party often strengthens your injury claim.
  • Negligence and Legal Liability
    If a boat operator violates these laws or acts irresponsibly, they may be held financially liable. Owners who allow unqualified or impaired individuals to operate their boats may also be at fault.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Boating Accidents

Several parties may share responsibility, including the boat operator, the vessel’s owner, rental companies, manufacturers, or even event organizers. It depends on who acted negligently or violated boating laws.

It depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, lost income, and emotional distress. Every case is unique—our Little Rock personal injury lawyers can evaluate your situation during a free legal consultation.

In most cases, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident. However, it’s always best to act quickly, because memories fade and evidence disappears fast on the water.

That can significantly strengthen your case. BUI violations are taken seriously in Arkansas and can be clear proof of negligence.

Yes. These cases are often more complex than car accidents due to limited insurance coverage and unclear liability. A lawyer ensures your claim is fully investigated and maximized.

Jurisdiction may get complicated. Your attorney will determine which laws apply and where to file the claim, ensuring no detail is missed.

How Rainwater, Holt & Sexton Helps Arkansas Boating Accident Victims

We understand that a boating accident can be deeply personal. Whether you were involved in a serious accident or just sustained damage to your property, we’re here to help shoulder the burden.

Here’s how we build strong cases for our clients:

  • Thorough Investigations
    We work with marine safety experts and accident reconstructionists to understand exactly what happened and who’s to blame.
  • Insurance & Manufacturer Experience
    Our team knows how to hold boat operators, rental companies, and even manufacturers accountable for their role in the accident.
  • Proven Results
    We’ve successfully resolved boating accident claims across Arkansas, recovering compensation to help clients move forward.
  • No Fee Guarantee
    You pay nothing unless we win your case. This keeps us on the same page, from the first consultation to the final result.
  • Free Case Evaluation
    Our Arkansas personal injury lawyers are available 24/7 to answer your questions and evaluate your situation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident anywhere in Arkansas, don’t go through this alone. Let the experienced team at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton help you take the first step toward recovery.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

Personal Injury Resources

What Happens After a Deposition in a Car Accident Case in Arkansas?

In the days following a deposition, insurance companies start taking settlement negotiations seriously, your attorney evaluates the strength of your

Learn More

Bicycle Accident

A bike ride should be about enjoying Arkansas’s beautiful scenery, not worrying about dangerous drivers. If you’ve been injured

Learn More
bike accident

What Does a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Do in Arkansas?

A bicycle accident lawyer investigates crashes, battles insurance companies, protects cyclist rights, and secures maximum compensation for medical bills, lost

Learn More

Boating Accident

A day on the water should never end in tragedy—but for too many Arkansas families, that’s exactly what happens. If

Learn More
Bob Sexton and Mike Rainwater walking out of a courtroom discussing strategy

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

Personal injury lawyers serve as powerful advocates for people who have been hurt due to others’ negligence or wrongdoing. They

Learn More
close up dog biting a human arm

Dog Bite

If you suffered an injury from a dog bite attack, you should be able to focus on healing. Our team

Learn More
Injured man after car accident, holding his head.

Understanding Head Injuries from Car Accidents

If you’ve suffered a head injury in a car accident, you’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control

Learn More
A semi truck passing a car on the highway

Safety Tips to Prevent Truck Accidents

Across the United States, there was an increase in the number of trucking accidents in 2016. That year alone, more than

Learn More
graphic of semi truck with a detached trailer lying on its side

Trailer Detachment Accidents

Common Causes of Big Truck Accidents Sharing the road with large commercial trucks can be scary. After all, a fully loaded

Learn More
self driving truck accidents

Understanding Self-Driving Truck Crashes in Arkansas

Self-driving trucks have arrived.. Even as legislation lags behind, driverless trucks are hitting the roads in Texas, Florida, and Northwest Arkansas

Learn More
intersection motorcycle acciden

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists in Arkansas face a variety of obstacles, challenges, and risks when riding on the road. However, the most common risk

Learn More
University and Asher Little Rock

Where Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Occur?

In 2016, motorcycle accidents increased across the United States by 5.1 percent according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These

Learn More
truck accident

Determining Fault in a Trucking Accident

If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident in Arkansas, your life may never be the same. Trucking accidents are serious

Learn More
arkansas motorcyle laws

Arkansas Motorcycle Laws

Last Updated May 2025 Arkansas is home to more than 76,000 bikers. Bikers here enjoy beautiful winding scenic rides during a

Learn More
accident burns

Common Injuries Burns

Common Injuries from Car, Motorcycle, Truck and Equipment Accidents Every year, more than 1.1 million people in the United States seek

Learn More