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A day on the water can turn into a life-altering emergency in seconds — a collision on the Great South Bay, a propeller strike near a marina in Sayville, a jet ski accident on Shinnecock Bay. If that has happened to you or someone you love anywhere on Long Island’s lakes, rivers, harbors, or ocean waters, the Law Offices of Steven Gacovino P.C. is ready to help. Attorney Steven Gacovino and his team have spent years watching how aggressively boat owners, marinas, rental companies, and insurance carriers move to limit what they pay accident victims, and they built their practice to push back.
Every year, hundreds of boaters, water skiers, tubers, jet ski riders, ferry passengers, and swimmers are seriously injured — or worse — in preventable boating accidents on Long Island’s waterways. Whether you were struck by a boat propeller, thrown from a personal watercraft, injured in a collision with another vessel, hurt by a drunk or reckless boat operator, or hurt on a defective or poorly maintained vessel, you have legal rights. This page explains everything Suffolk County and Long Island boating accident victims need to know — the law, the statistics, the dangerous local waterways, and how our firm can help you pursue maximum compensation.
Call the Law Offices of Steven Gacovino P.C. today for a free, no-obligation case review. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Why You Need an Experienced Long Island Boating Accident Lawyer
Boating accident cases are not like ordinary car accident claims. A Suffolk County boat accident lawyer must understand a tangle of overlapping legal systems that most personal injury attorneys never encounter: New York State Navigation Law, U.S. Coast Guard regulations, maritime and admiralty law, municipal and county marine bureau enforcement, and the insurance practices unique to recreational and commercial vessels. Liability can shift depending on whether the accident happened on state waters, federal navigable waters, or in a marina; whether the vessel was a personal recreational boat, a rented jet ski, a charter fishing boat, or a commercial ferry; and whether the injured person was a passenger, another boater, a water skier, a dockworker, or a bystander.
Insurance companies that cover boat owners and charter operators know these complexities well, and they use them to delay claims, shift blame onto the victim, and offer lowball settlements before an injured person understands the true value of their case. An experienced boating accident attorney in Suffolk County, Long Island levels the playing field by:
- Investigating the crash scene, vessel damage, and Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau or U.S. Coast Guard incident reports
- Identifying every liable party — not just the operator, but potentially the boat owner, a rental company, a marina, a bar or restaurant that over-served alcohol, or even a manufacturer if a defective part caused the crash
- Working with marine accident reconstruction experts, boating safety experts, and medical specialists
- Calculating the full value of your claim, including future medical care and lost earning capacity
- Filing suit before New York’s statute of limitations expires
- Negotiating aggressively — and litigating, if necessary — to maximize your settlement or verdict
If you were injured in a boat crash anywhere on Long Island, don’t speak to an insurance adjuster before speaking with our office. Contact the Law Offices of Steven Gacovino P.C. for a free consultation.
How Boating Accident Claims Differ From Car Accident Claims
Many Suffolk County residents assume a boating accident claim works the same way as an auto accident claim. It doesn’t. There is no state-mandated no-fault insurance system for recreational boats the way there is for cars in New York, which means fault-based negligence law governs almost every boating injury claim from day one. That makes the initial investigation — who was operating the vessel, what condition it was in, whether alcohol was involved, whether navigation rules were violated — even more critical than in a typical car accident case. It also means insurance companies for boat owners often deploy their own marine investigators and adjusters within hours of a serious accident, long before an injured victim has even left the hospital. Having a boat accident attorney on Long Island working on your side just as quickly levels the playing field.
Why Insurance Companies Fight Boating Injury Claims So Hard
Recreational boat insurance policies are often smaller and more restrictive than auto policies, and many boat owners are underinsured or carry minimal liability limits. That gives insurers every incentive to dispute liability, argue the victim assumed the risk simply by being on the water, or claim a passenger’s own conduct contributed to the accident. Some insurers also argue that a claim falls under federal maritime law specifically because maritime law can, in certain circumstances, limit an owner’s liability. An experienced Long Island boating accident lawyer knows how to counter these tactics, identify every applicable insurance policy — including umbrella and excess policies — and pursue all responsible parties, not just the most obvious one.
Peak Season Risk on Long Island's Waterways
The overwhelming majority of Suffolk County boating accidents happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when the Great South Bay, Peconic Bay, Shinnecock Bay, and Long Island Sound are at their busiest. Holiday weekends — Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day — see a dramatic spike in both boat traffic and boating accidents, driven by a combination of alcohol consumption, crowded channels, and inexperienced seasonal or rental boaters. If your accident happened during one of these high-traffic periods, that context can be important evidence of foreseeable risk that a negligent operator, marina, or rental company should have guarded against.
Suffolk County & Long Island Boating Accident Statistics
Suffolk County has one of the highest concentrations of recreational boat traffic anywhere in New York State, and the numbers reflect real, ongoing danger on the water:
- New York State had 427,562 registered recreational vessels in 2024, and Suffolk County accounts for roughly 14% of all registered boats statewide — one of the largest concentrations of any county in New York.
- U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that in 2024, 75% of boating fatalities resulted from drowning, and approximately 85% of those drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.
- Nationally, the U.S. Coast Guard recorded 3,887 boating accidents in 2024, resulting in 556 deaths, 2,170 injuries, and approximately $88 million in property damage.
- Alcohol remained the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents nationwide, accounting for roughly 20% of total fatalities. Operating a vessel under the influence (BWI) continues to be identified as the leading factor in fatal boating accidents in New York waters.
- In a recent multi-year period, boating accidents in the waters surrounding Suffolk County numbered in the dozens annually, with Great South Bay consistently among the busiest — and most accident-prone — waterways on Long Island, and the county has historically accounted for the majority of Long Island’s boating fatalities in comparable multi-year reporting periods.
- The most common type of boating accident overall is a collision between two or more vessels, a particular risk on crowded Suffolk County waterways like the Great South Bay and Peconic Bay during peak summer boating season.
- As of January 1, 2025, Brianna’s Law now requires all motorboat operators in New York State, regardless of age, to complete a boater safety course — a response to years of preventable, negligence-driven boating tragedies. Since the law’s phase-in began in 2019, the number of statewide boating accidents has declined by roughly 45%, though serious crashes remain common, especially during the crowded summer months from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- The Suffolk County Police Department Marine Bureau and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Eastern Long Island Division actively patrol and respond to accidents across Suffolk’s bays, harbors, and inlets — a sign of just how much boat traffic, and how much risk, exists on our local waterways every season.
These statistics tell a clear story: Long Island’s beautiful waterways — the same bays, harbors, and rivers that make Suffolk County a premier boating destination — are also the site of hundreds of serious, often preventable accidents every single year. When negligence causes a boating accident, victims and families deserve accountability and full compensation.
Common Causes of Suffolk County Boating Accidents
Based on New York State and U.S. Coast Guard accident data, the leading causes of boating accidents on Long Island and nationwide include:
- Operator inattention — distracted operators failing to watch for other vessels, swimmers, or navigational hazards
- Boating while intoxicated (BWI) — alcohol and drug use remain the single leading known factor in fatal boating accidents
- Operator inexperience — unlicensed or undertrained operators, especially on jet skis and personal watercraft
- Excessive speed — particularly dangerous in narrow, congested channels like the Fire Island Inlet or Shinnecock Canal
- Improper lookout — failing to maintain a proper lookout for other boats, swimmers, kayakers, and paddleboarders
- Navigation rule violations — ignoring right-of-way rules, no-wake zones, and channel markers
- Machinery and equipment failure — defective steering systems, throttle malfunctions, or propeller guards that fail
- Overloading a vessel beyond its rated passenger or weight capacity
- Hazardous weather conditions ignored or misjudged by an operator
- Striking a submerged object, sandbar, jetty, or another obstruction due to operator negligence
- Negligent boat rental or charter companies that fail to inspect, maintain, or provide adequate safety instruction
- Marina and dock hazards, including poor lighting, unsecured equipment, and slip-and-fall conditions on docks and gangways
Whatever caused your accident, our firm investigates every angle to determine exactly who is responsible.
Types of Boating Accident Cases We Handle
The Law Offices of Steven Gacovino P.C. represents victims of every type of watercraft accident throughout Suffolk County and Long Island, including:
- Boat-on-boat collisions in open water, channels, and no-wake zones
- Personal watercraft (jet ski / Sea-Doo / WaveRunner) accidents, including collisions, ejections, and capsizing
- Boat propeller accidents, one of the most catastrophic categories of boating injury, frequently causing severe lacerations, amputations, and death
- Capsizing and swamping accidents
- Passenger ejection accidents, where a sudden turn or wake throws a passenger overboard
- Water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, and towed watersports accidents
- BWI and reckless operator accidents
- Ferry and commercial passenger vessel accidents
- Charter and fishing boat accidents
- Pontoon boat and party boat accidents
- Kayak, canoe, and paddleboard collisions with motorized vessels
- Sailboat rigging and boom-strike accidents
- Dock, marina, gangway, and boat-launch accidents
- Boat fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning incidents
- Wrongful death claims on behalf of families who lost a loved one in a fatal boating accident
If your accident doesn’t fit neatly into one of these categories, don’t worry — call our office. If it happened on the water anywhere in Suffolk County or Long Island, we can likely help.
Common Injuries in Long Island Boating Accidents
Boating accidents frequently cause more severe injuries than land-based accidents because victims are often thrown into open water, struck by moving parts like propellers, or crushed between colliding vessels. Injuries our firm regularly sees include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Propeller lacerations, degloving injuries, and traumatic amputations
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Drowning and near-drowning with resulting brain injury (hypoxic/anoxic injury)
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Severe burns from boat fires or engine explosions
- Carbon monoxide poisoning from poorly ventilated cabins or swim platforms
- Hearing loss and barotrauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a traumatic or fatal accident
- Wrongful death
Because so many boating injuries are catastrophic and permanent, it is critical to work with a Long Island boating injury lawyer who understands how to properly value future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and long-term care costs — not just emergency room bills.
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Personal Watercraft (Jet Ski) Accidents on Long Island
Personal watercraft — jet skis, WaveRunners, and Sea-Doos — are involved in a disproportionate share of serious Long Island boating injuries relative to their size. Because PWCs are fast, highly maneuverable, and often operated by inexperienced or underage riders (despite New York’s age and licensing requirements), collisions between personal watercraft and larger vessels, or between multiple PWCs, tend to produce severe injuries: fractures, spinal trauma, and internal injuries from high-speed impacts with the water itself. Popular PWC rental and launch areas around Babylon, Lindenhurst, Patchogue, Hampton Bays, and the Peconic waterways see especially heavy seasonal PWC traffic, and rental companies in these areas have a legal duty to properly instruct renters, enforce safety equipment requirements, and maintain their fleet. If you were injured by a reckless jet ski operator or a negligently maintained rental PWC anywhere in Suffolk County, our firm can help you pursue the responsible party.
How We Investigate and Prove a Boating Accident Claim
Successfully proving a boating accident claim requires more than an insurance report. The Law Offices of Steven Gacovino P.C. builds each case by:
- Obtaining and analyzing the official Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau or U.S. Coast Guard accident report
- Interviewing witnesses, including other boaters, marina staff, and passengers
- Preserving physical evidence from the vessel itself, including damage patterns, safety equipment, and mechanical components
- Consulting marine accident reconstruction experts to establish speed, point of impact, and operator conduct
- Reviewing toxicology results and BWI charges where alcohol or drugs may have been involved
- Working with boating safety and navigation experts to identify Navigation Law and Coast Guard rule violations
- Coordinating with treating physicians and life-care planners to fully document the medical and financial impact of your injuries
This kind of thorough, evidence-driven investigation is what separates a firm that simply files paperwork from one that fights to maximize your recovery.
Long Island & Suffolk County Waterways We Cover
Our firm represents boating accident victims injured anywhere on Long Island’s waterways — from the North Shore to the South Shore to the East End. We regularly handle cases involving accidents on and around:
South Shore Bays & Waterways
- Great South Bay (Bay Shore, Islip, Sayville, Patchogue, Oakdale, West Sayville)
- Fire Island Inlet and the Great South Bay barrier beaches (Fire Island, Ocean Beach, Sailors Haven, Cherry Grove, Robert Moses State Park)
- Bellport Bay and Narrow Bay
- Moriches Bay (Center Moriches, East Moriches, Westhampton)
- Shinnecock Bay and Shinnecock Canal (Hampton Bays, Southampton)
- Quantuck Bay
- South Oyster Bay (bordering Nassau and western Suffolk)
North Shore & Long Island Sound Waterways
- Long Island Sound (from Kings Park and Smithtown east to Orient Point)
- Port Jefferson Harbor and Setauket Harbor
- Stony Brook Harbor
- Smithtown Bay and the Nissequogue River
- Northport Bay and Northport Harbor
- Huntington Bay, Huntington Harbor, and Centerport Harbor
- Cold Spring Harbor
- Mount Sinai Harbor
- Wading River and the Long Island Sound shoreline of Riverhead
East End Waterways
- Peconic Bay and the Peconic River (Riverhead, Flanders)
- Great Peconic Bay and Little Peconic Bay
- Gardiners Bay
- Napeague Bay and Napeague Harbor
- Three Mile Harbor (East Hampton)
- Sag Harbor and Sag Harbor Cove
- Shelter Island Sound and Coecles Harbor
- Montauk Harbor, Lake Montauk, and the waters off Montauk Point
- Orient Harbor and Orient Point
Rivers & Inland Waterways
- Connetquot River (Oakdale, Great River)
- Carmans River (Brookhaven, Shirley)
- Nissequogue River (Smithtown, Kings Park)
- Peconic River (Riverhead)
- Lake Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County’s largest lake and a popular spot for personal watercraft and small-boat accidents.
No matter which town, bay, harbor, river, or stretch of ocean your accident happened on — Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Smithtown, Huntington, Riverhead, Southampton, East Hampton, Shelter Island, or Southold — our firm is ready to investigate your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.
New York Boating Laws That Affect Your Claim
Brianna's Law and Mandatory Boater Safety Education
Named after 11-year-old Brianna Lieneck, who was killed in a 2005 Long Island boating accident, Brianna’s Law has been phased in since 2019 and, as of January 1, 2025, requires every motorboat operator in New York State — regardless of age — to complete an approved boater safety course. If the at-fault operator in your accident lacked proper certification, that failure can serve as powerful evidence of negligence in your claim.
Boating While Intoxicated (BWI)
Operating a vessel with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher is illegal under New York Navigation Law, just as it is on the road. A BWI conviction — or even a BWI charge — can significantly strengthen a civil injury claim against a reckless operator.
New York's Navigation Law and "Rules of the Road"
New York’s Navigation Law incorporates federal Inland Navigational Rules governing right-of-way, speed, lighting, sound signals, and safe operation. A violation of these rules by another vessel operator is strong evidence of negligence.
Maritime and Admiralty Law Considerations
Depending on where an accident occurred — particularly on federally navigable waters like Long Island Sound, the Great South Bay, or the Atlantic Ocean — your claim may implicate federal maritime law in addition to New York State law. This is a highly specialized area, and it’s one reason why choosing an attorney with real experience in boating and maritime injury claims matters.
Statute of Limitations
In New York, injury victims generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, and wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years of the date of death — though claims involving a municipality, commercial vessel, or certain federal maritime issues may carry much shorter deadlines. Don’t wait to find out which deadline applies to your case — contact our office as soon as possible after your accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Long Island Boating Accident?
Depending on the facts of your case, liability may fall on:
- The negligent boat operator — whether reckless, intoxicated, inattentive, or simply careless
- The boat owner, who may be liable even if they weren’t operating the vessel at the time (negligent entrustment)
- A boat rental or charter company that failed to properly maintain the vessel or train renters
- A marina or dock owner responsible for unsafe conditions
- A bar, restaurant, or private host that over-served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated boat operator (dram shop liability)
- A boat or parts manufacturer, if a defective product — such as a faulty steering system or propeller guard — caused or worsened the accident
- A municipality or government entity, in cases involving dangerous conditions on public waterways, docks, or launch sites
- A commercial vessel operator, such as a ferry company or fishing charter business
Many boating accidents involve more than one liable party, and identifying every source of potential compensation is one of the most important things a boating accident lawyer does for your case.
What to Do After a Boating Accident on Long Island
- Get to safety and seek medical attention immediately — even if injuries seem minor, some boating injuries (like internal injuries, concussions, or carbon monoxide exposure) aren’t obvious right away.
- Report the accident. New York law requires reporting boating accidents involving death, disappearance, injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, or significant property damage to the Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau or the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Document everything — photos and video of the vessels, the scene, injuries, and any visible safety violations (missing life jackets, damaged equipment, etc.).
- Get witness information from other passengers, boaters, or bystanders.
- Do not admit fault or give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
- Preserve evidence, including the vessel itself if possible, and avoid repairs until it has been inspected.
- Contact an experienced Long Island boating accident lawyer like the Law Offices of Steven Gacovino P.C. as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin building your claim while evidence is fresh.
Compensation Available in a Long Island Boating Accident Claim
Victims of negligent boating accidents in Suffolk County may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses, including surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care
- Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability, disfigurement, and scarring
- Emotional distress and PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages, including loss of financial support, loss of parental or spousal guidance, and funeral and burial expenses, for surviving family members
Every boating accident case is different, and the right attorney will fight to ensure no category of your damages is overlooked or undervalued.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Steven Gacovino P.C.?
Local. Experienced. Dedicated to Long Island injury victims.
Attorney Steven Gacovino has spent decades representing injured victims and their families throughout Suffolk County and Long Island. Admitted to practice in the Federal District Courts of New York and Connecticut, Steven Gacovino has built his practice around one mission: helping people who have been hurt by someone else’s negligence get the compensation they need to move forward.
Here’s what sets our firm apart for boating accident victims:
- Deep local knowledge. We’re based right here in Sayville, in the heart of Suffolk County’s boating community — we know the Great South Bay, the Peconic waterways, and every harbor and inlet in between, and we understand exactly how local marine law enforcement, the Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau, and the U.S. Coast Guard investigate and document these accidents.
- Personal attention. Every client works directly with our attorneys and staff — you are never just a case number.
- Aggressive advocacy. We are not afraid to take on large insurance companies, boat manufacturers, marinas, or commercial vessel operators to fight for maximum compensation.
- A full-service personal injury practice, meaning we have the resources and litigation experience to handle catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims from start to finish — whether that means an aggressive settlement negotiation or taking your case to trial.
- No recovery, no payment. We handle boating accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and owe us nothing unless and until we recover compensation for you.
- Free, confidential consultations, available to discuss your case and answer your questions with no obligation.
When you’ve been hurt in a boating accident, you need an attorney who treats your case with the seriousness it deserves. Call the Law Offices of Steven Gacovino P.C. today.
Boating Accidents Involving Children on Long Island
Children are especially vulnerable in boating accidents — smaller bodies are more susceptible to serious injury from propeller strikes, ejections, and drowning, and New York law imposes heightened safety expectations when children are aboard a vessel. State law requires children under 12 to wear a properly fitted personal flotation device at all times while underway, and any operator who fails to enforce this requirement — or who otherwise creates a dangerous situation for young passengers — may face increased liability if a child is hurt. If your child was injured in a boating accident anywhere in Suffolk County, our firm understands the particular sensitivity and long-term considerations these cases require, including future medical monitoring, developmental impacts, and the emotional toll on the entire family.
Serving Every Suffolk County Community
The Law Offices of Steven Gacovino P.C. represents boating accident victims throughout every corner of Suffolk County and Long Island, including but not limited to: Sayville, Bay Shore, Islip, West Islip, Babylon, Lindenhurst, Amityville, Patchogue, Oakdale, West Sayville, Bohemia, Holbrook, Ronkonkoma, Lake Ronkonkoma, Holtsville, Bellport, Center Moriches, East Moriches, Mastic, Shirley, Westhampton, Westhampton Beach, Hampton Bays, Southampton, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, East Hampton, Montauk, Riverhead, Wading River, Shoreham, Rocky Point, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Setauket, Stony Brook, Smithtown, Kings Park, St. James, Nesconset, Hauppauge, Commack, Central Islip, Brentwood, Deer Park, Huntington, Huntington Station, Northport, Centerport, Cold Spring Harbor, Fire Island, and Shelter Island — as well as boating accident victims from Nassau County, New York City, and out-of-state visitors injured while boating on Long Island waters.
Whether your accident happened a mile from home or while visiting Long Island’s waterways from out of town, our firm is ready to help you understand your rights and pursue full compensation.
No Recovery, No Payment — Contact Us Today
You’ve already been through enough. Let the Law Offices of Steven Gacovino P.C. handle the insurance companies, the investigation, and the legal fight — so you can focus on healing.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with a Suffolk County boating accident lawyer. You pay us nothing unless we win your case.
We are available to discuss car, boat, jet ski, and all watercraft accident claims throughout Suffolk County and Long Island.
Frequently Asked Questions About Long Island Boating Accidents
1. Do I need a lawyer for a boating accident in Suffolk County?
Yes. Boating accident claims involve overlapping New York State Navigation Law, maritime law, and insurance rules that are far more complex than a typical car accident case. An experienced Suffolk County boating accident lawyer knows how to investigate a crash on the Great South Bay, Peconic Bay, or Long Island Sound, identify every liable party, and fight the insurance company’s attempts to minimize your claim.
2. How much does it cost to hire a boating accident attorney on Long Island?
The Law Offices of Steven Gacovino P.C. handles all boating accident cases on a contingency fee basis — meaning there is no recovery, no payment. You pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you.
3. What should I do immediately after a boat crash on the Great South Bay or another Long Island waterway?
Seek medical attention right away, report the accident to the Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau or U.S. Coast Guard as required by law, document the scene with photos and video, collect witness contact information, and contact a boating accident lawyer before speaking with any insurance company.
4. Who is usually at fault in a Long Island boating accident?
Fault often falls on a negligent, distracted, inexperienced, or intoxicated boat operator, but it can also extend to boat owners, rental or charter companies, marinas, bars that over-served an intoxicated operator, or even boat manufacturers if defective equipment played a role. A thorough investigation is essential to identify every responsible party.
5. What is Brianna's Law, and how does it affect my case?
Brianna’s Law, named after a Long Island girl killed in a 2005 boating accident, now requires all motorboat operators in New York, regardless of age, to complete an approved boating safety course as of January 1, 2025. If the operator who caused your accident wasn’t properly certified, that failure can be strong evidence supporting a negligence claim.
6. Is boating while intoxicated (BWI) a factor in most fatal Long Island boating accidents?
Alcohol remains one of the leading known contributing factors in fatal boating accidents both in New York and nationwide. If you were injured by an intoxicated boat operator anywhere in Suffolk County — including popular boating areas like Fire Island, Sayville, or the Shinnecock Canal — you may have a strong claim for compensation, including punitive damages in appropriate cases.
7. What waterways in Suffolk County see the most boating accidents?
The Great South Bay — spanning Bay Shore, Islip, Sayville, and Patchogue — consistently sees among the highest number of recorded boating accidents and injuries on Long Island due to heavy recreational traffic, along with the Peconic Bay, Shinnecock Bay, Moriches Bay, and the waters around Fire Island.
8. Can I file a claim if I was injured on a rented jet ski or boat in Suffolk County?
Yes. Boat and jet ski rental companies have a legal duty to properly maintain their equipment, provide adequate safety instruction, and ensure renters understand local navigation rules. If a rental company’s negligence contributed to your accident, they may be held liable regardless of any waiver you signed.
9. What if my loved one died in a boating accident on Long Island?
Surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for loss of financial support, loss of companionship and guidance, funeral and burial costs, and the pain and suffering the victim experienced before death. Our firm handles boating wrongful death claims throughout Suffolk County with compassion and diligence
10. How long do I have to file a boating accident lawsuit in New York?
Generally, injury victims have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York, and wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years of death — but claims involving a municipality, a commercial vessel, or federal maritime jurisdiction can carry much shorter deadlines. Contact an attorney promptly to make sure you don’t lose your right to recover.
11. Are propeller accidents common on Long Island waterways?
Unfortunately, yes. Boat propeller accidents are among the most catastrophic injuries our firm sees, often resulting in severe lacerations, amputations, or death. These accidents frequently occur near marinas, docks, and swim areas in busy waterways like the Great South Bay and Peconic Bay, often when an operator fails to maintain a proper lookout for swimmers or people in the water.
12. What if I was injured on a ferry or commercial charter boat in Suffolk County?
Commercial and passenger vessel operators — including ferries and fishing charter boats operating out of Suffolk County ports — owe passengers a heightened duty of care. If you were injured due to operator negligence, inadequate safety equipment, or unsafe conditions aboard a commercial vessel, you may have a claim against the vessel operator or owner.
13. Do New York boating accident laws apply the same way on Long Island Sound as they do on inland lakes like Lake Ronkonkoma?
Not exactly. Accidents on federally navigable waters, such as Long Island Sound, the Great South Bay, or the Atlantic Ocean, may implicate federal maritime law in addition to New York State Navigation Law, while accidents on smaller inland waters like Lake Ronkonkoma are typically governed primarily by state law. An experienced attorney will determine which laws apply to maximize your claim.
14. What compensation can I recover after a Long Island boating accident?
Depending on your case, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, emotional distress, and — in fatal accident cases — wrongful death damages for surviving family members.
15. Why should I choose the Law Offices of Steven Gacovino P.C. for my Suffolk County boating accident claim?
Attorney Steven Gacovino has spent decades representing injured Long Island residents, is based locally in Sayville, and understands the unique waterways, marine law enforcement practices, and insurance tactics involved in Suffolk County boating accident claims. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis — no recovery, no payment — and offers every client a free, confidential consultation with no obligation.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact the Law Offices of Steven Gacovino P.C. to discuss the specific facts of your case.