The Port of Green Bay, situated at the heart of one of the region’s busiest waterways, provides a direct and cost-effective route for shipping raw materials and goods.

At the same time, the bay is alive with recreational activity from boats crowding Metro Landing, anglers heading out along the west shore, and ferries moving steadily along the Fox River, providing residents with countless ways to enjoy the water.

However, these activities also carry significant risks. When an accident occurs, you need a personal injury lawyer who understands Green Bay’s waters, knows local boating patterns, and can skillfully navigate complex marine investigations.

Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers provides the experienced, local legal support you need to protect your rights and pursue the full compensation you deserve after a boating accident. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Common Causes of Boat Accidents in Green Bay

A tragedy involving a local man and his two young children shows how quickly boating accidents can turn deadly. In the summer of 2024, the man’s sailboat capsized in the Bay of Green Bay, resulting in the death of the 32-year-old and his children.

Sadly, these types of accidents are far too common. Here are some of the most common causes of boating accidents in the area:

• Operator Negligence: Careless boating, such as speeding, reckless maneuvering, or inattention, can lead to collisions, capsizing, or running aground. In busy areas like Metro Landing or the Fox River channel, mistakes like these can happen fast because of high traffic from ferries, fishing boats, and recreational vessels.
• Alcohol or Substance Use: Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs affects judgment, slows reflexes, and increases the likelihood of miscalculating distances or ignoring navigation markers. In Green Bay, where sudden gusts of wind and shifting currents are common, especially near Chambers Island, impaired decision-making can quickly escalate into serious accidents.
• Poor Visibility and Hidden Hazards: Nighttime, fog, rain, or storms make it harder to spot docks, jetties, shallow sandbars, and underwater debris.
• Violating Boating Safety Rules: Ignoring speed limits, no-wake zones, and other safety rules can greatly increase the risk of injury or death.

Common Injuries From Boating Accidents

1. Drowning and Oxygen Deprivation: One of the most life-threatening injuries in a boating accident is drowning, especially if passengers are unconscious, injured, or unable to swim. Even when victims are rescued, a lack of oxygen can cause serious brain damage with long-term effects.

2. Head, Neck, and Spinal Injuries: Impacts and sudden jolts can cause concussions, traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, and spinal cord damage. These injuries may lead to dizziness, confusion, chronic pain, limited mobility, or even paralysis.

3. Broken Bones and Internal Injuries: When collisions happen suddenly, they often throw passengers around the boat, leading to broken bones in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis. Blunt force trauma can also damage internal organs, sometimes without immediate symptoms.

4. Cuts, Lacerations, and Burns: Sharp surfaces, debris, and propellers can cause wounds ranging from minor cuts to deep lacerations. Fires from fuel or electrical malfunctions can also result in serious burns.

5. Emotional and Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical harm, boating accidents can cause lasting emotional effects, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

What Should I Do After A Boating Accident?

1. Ensure Safety: First, check yourself and others for injuries. If the boat is at risk of sinking or creating further danger, move to a safe location immediately.

2. Report the Accident: Contact local law enforcement right away, such as the Green Bay Police Department Marine Unit. Wisconsin requires you to report any boating accident that results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $2,000.

3. Complete the Incident Report: Obtain the Wisconsin DNR Boat Operator Incident Report (Form 4100-020) and provide accurate details:

• Date, time, and location of the accident
• Information about the boat(s) and operators
• Description of injuries or fatalities
• Estimated property damage
• Weather and water conditions, and any other relevant details

4. Exchange Information: Make sure to collect complete contact details from everyone involved, including names, phone numbers, addresses, and insurance information. Record boat registration numbers and any identifying information about the vessels. If there were witnesses, get their names and contact info too, as their accounts can be important for insurance claims.

5. Document the Scene: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, damages, injuries, weather conditions, and any hazards. Write down a detailed account of how the accident occurred while it’s fresh in your memory.

6. Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, it’s important to get checked by medical professionals immediately. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, may not show immediate symptoms but can become serious if untreated. You can get immediate access at:

• Bellin Hospital: It provides advanced emergency care for all types of injuries.
• HSHS St. Vincent Hospital: It is a verified Level II Trauma Center that provides comprehensive trauma care, including rapid response to serious injuries, access to trauma surgeons and specialists around the clock, and advanced emergency resources.
• Aurora BayCare Medical Center: It is an accredited Level II Trauma Center with comprehensive trauma care and surgical capabilities.

These facilities can stabilize your condition and prevent further complications.

Challenges in Boat Accident Cases

Boating accident cases can be complex for several reasons:

• Proving Negligence: You must show that the boat operator had a duty to be careful, broke that duty, and caused your injuries. Evidence like police reports, witness statements, boating logs, or boat “black box” data is needed, which can be difficult to collect, especially if the accident happened far from shore or involved multiple boats.
• Investigation Delays: Strong currents, waves, or bad weather can slow down investigators, causing important evidence to be lost or damaged.
• Few Eyewitnesses: Some boating accidents happen in isolated areas like the lower bay near Long Tail Point, so there may be few or no witnesses to confirm what happened.
• Insurance Companies Minimize Payout: Adjusters may downplay injuries, claim partial fault, or dispute accident facts. Without a lawyer, you risk accepting a settlement that doesn’t cover your full costs.

Because of these challenges, having an experienced boat accident lawyer is important. They know how to gather evidence, handle insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

How a Green Bay Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help

Boating accidents can be complex, involving multiple parties, insurance claims, and strict maritime regulations. An experienced injury lawyer can guide you through the process and protect your rights by:

• Clarifying Your Legal Options: Know your rights and the best path forward.
• Handling Claims and Representation: File claims correctly and negotiate or litigate on your behalf.
• Investigating and Gathering Evidence: Collect accident reports, witness statements, and marine safety records to build a strong case.
• Pursuing Full Compensation: Recover medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and compensation for physical and emotional impact.
• Using Local Expertise: Benefit from in-depth knowledge of Green Bay’s waterways and Wisconsin maritime law.

Speak With Our Team Today

Boating accidents can turn your life upside down in an instant, leaving you with injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about what comes next. Navigating insurance claims, liability, and Wisconsin maritime law on your own can be overwhelming.

At Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers, our experienced attorneys know the local waterways, understand the unique challenges of boating accidents, and are ready to guide you every step of the way. We are committed to protecting your rights and helping you move forward. Don’t wait. Contact us today.