Arizona Boating Accident Attorney

Your Guide to Legal Help After a Watercraft Injury

Boating is a favorite pastime across Arizona—especially in places like Lake Havasu and along the Colorado River. But when recreational fun turns into a serious injury, victims and families are left with urgent questions: Who is liable? How do I get compensated? What does Arizona law say about boating accidents?

At Rideout Law Group, our experienced Arizona boating accident attorneys provide aggressive representation for victims injured due to negligence, impaired operation, or equipment failure. Whether your accident happened on Lake Havasu, the Salt River, or another Arizona waterway, we’re here to help.

Common Causes of Boating Accidents in Arizona

Arizona sees thousands of recreational boating incidents annually. Many involve personal watercraft (PWC) like Jet Skis, wakeboard boats, pontoon boats, and speedboats. The most common causes of boating accidents include:

Operator inattention or inexperience
Boating under the influence (BUI)
Excessive speed
Mechanical failure or improper maintenance
Violation of navigation rules
Overloading vessels

These factors can lead to capsizing, collisions, drowning, or ejections—many resulting in life-altering injuries.

What to Do After a Boating Accident

If you’ve been involved in a boating accident in Arizona, you should:

Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor.
Report the accident to Arizona Game & Fish or local authorities.
Document everything: take photos, collect witness names, and preserve any physical evidence.
Avoid discussing fault at the scene.
Contact a boating accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Injured parties may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term disability.

Who Is Liable in a Boating Accident?

Determining liability in a boating accident often requires investigating multiple parties:

Boat operator or rental company – especially if negligence, impairment, or lack of training is involved.
Watercraft manufacturer – in cases involving defective design or equipment failure.
Event organizers – if the accident occurred during a sponsored water event or race.
Other passengers – if their actions contributed to the injury.

Rideout Law’s attorneys work with investigators, maritime law experts, and medical professionals to build strong claims for our clients.

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) and Arizona Law

Arizona enforces strict boating under the influence laws under ARS § 5-395. A boat operator is considered impaired if they have a BAC of 0.08% or higher. If alcohol or drugs played a role in your boating injury, this could significantly impact civil and criminal liability.

In Lake Havasu and other popular boating destinations, BUI-related crashes are increasingly common, especially on holiday weekends. Victims have the right to hold intoxicated boaters accountable.

Why Choose Rideout Law Group for Your Boating Injury Case

Our legal team has extensive experience representing personal injury victims across Arizona—including many involving watercraft and lake-related accidents. Here’s why clients trust us:

✅ Local knowledge of boating hotspots like Lake Havasu, the Colorado River, and Bartlett Lake.
✅ Former prosecutors who understand how to investigate negligence and fight insurance denials.
✅ Personal injury trial experience in both Maricopa and Mohave County courts.
✅ Client-first approach with open communication and flexible consultations.

We don’t just take cases—we fight for justice and maximum compensation.

Serving Scottsdale, Lake Havasu & Beyond

From our offices in Scottsdale and Lake Havasu City, Rideout Law Group serves boating injury victims across Arizona. Whether you were injured at Lake Pleasant, Canyon Lake, or a private marina, our attorneys are ready to help.

📍 Lake Havasu City Office – 2800 Sweetwater Ave, Suite A104
📍 Scottsdale Office – 11111 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 225

Call (833) 854-8181 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal guidance specific to your situation, please contact a licensed attorney at Rideout Law Group.