Boating Accident

Settlement: $302,000

Attorneys: Gene Riddle and Adam Smith

We represented a law enforcement officer who was riding as a passenger in a Pro Sports recreational watercraft when the boat collided with a bridge. Our attorneys worked with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to obtain a report of their investigation, which found the collision to be the result of pilot/captain error. We sent a demand letter to the pilot asking him to have his insurance carrier contact us. Then, we were contacted by the pilot’s homeowner’s insurance carrier.

The insurance carrier advised us that the boat was not covered by any watercraft insurance, and that the claim was not covered under the homeowner’s policy because of watercraft exclusions in the policy. We argued to the carrier that the boat was housed at a dock that was covered under the homeowner’s policy, and that the boat therefore must be covered by extension. We also sent a letter to the owner/pilot of the boat advising him to consult with his own attorney. The owner/pilot then hired an individual attorney to represent his interests and encouraged his homeowner’s policy to cover the loss. Our attempts were successful and we were able to settle the claim successfully with the homeowner’s insurance carrier for $302,000.

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