Exploring the Role of a Boat Accident Lawyer in Maritime Law

Introduction to Maritime Law and Boat Accidents

Maritime law, or admiralty law, is an ancient body of law, developed through the courts of England and incorporated into the U.S. legal system. A unique feature of admiralty law is that no law governing maritime matters, similar to statutes affecting land jurisdiction, was enacted by Congress until 1851. Maritime law is premised on the notion that navigable waters are a common highway of commerce, and thus, every person has the right to travel thereon (Sea Grant & Institute, 2013).

Within the context of tourism, a boat accident refers to accidents involving a charter or private pleasure boat that is injured or damaged, or causes personal injury or property damage, due to negligence or unseaworthiness. In Nebraska, all waterways, lakes, and other similar bodies of water are under the jurisdiction of federal admiralty law. Under admiralty jurisdiction, maritime statutes, regulations, and common law govern nautical operations and bodies of water (G. Seglin, 1966).