Army Ranger Veteran and Boating Accident Lawyer

Experienced, proactive and compassionate, Van Riper Nies Attorneys attorneys are committed to protecting your rights. Our maritime injury lawyers Tim Nies and Christian Van Riper are legal warriors for boaters and passengers in Martin & St. Lucie counties who have suffered injuries, or lost loved ones, in boating accidents, collisions or through careless operation of vessels. 

Our attorneys, both boat owners, understand the laws regarding boating accidents, boating injuries, maritime insurance and medical issues. In addition, the maritime attorneys at our firm know the waterways of Martin and St. Lucie county well. Attorney, Christian Van Riper, has lived in Stuart for nearly his whole life and has logged in thousands of hours navigating the local waterways. Our attorney, Timothy Nies, is a member of the Maritime Law Association of the U.S. and is a previous injury attorney for the largest insurance defense law firm in the U.S.

Boating is a major industry in Stuart and the Treasure Coast. More boats are registered in Florida than in any other state.  However, most boaters do not learn the basic "rules of the road" for operating their boat or personal watercraft. Others just ignore general safety rules and drink alcohol while operating a vessel. The result is thousands of maritime injuries in Florida every year.

Many other factors can contribute to a boating accident and injury, either on a privately-owned boat or a personal watercraft. Some of these factors include: falls, operator inexperience, collisions, fire, operating the vessel while impaired (BUI), improper seating of passengers and of course, adverse weather or sea conditions. 

Overall, boating injuries occur largely because people underestimate the dangers of boats as compared to cars. A boat operator must exercise the highest degree of care to prevent injuries to those passengers in the boat, swimmers, or others in the waters or boats around them. Our experienced boat accident trial attorneys will discuss your situation and go over all legal options available to you, as well as work with marine insurance companies, and other parties involved in your boating injury claim to make sure all your needs are handled swiftly and appropriately and that you are compensated for your harms and losses.

For more information about our Stuart personal injury practice, please call us at 772-283-8712 day or night.