When Samantha Lee boarded her friend’s speedboat for a summer outing near Atlantic City, she had no idea the trip would change her life. “The sun was setting, music was playing — it was perfect,” she remembers. Moments later, another vessel slammed into theirs at high speed.
The crash sent Samantha overboard, leaving her unconscious in the water. Rescuers pulled her out, but the physical and emotional scars would last years. “I survived,” she says softly. “But I lost more than people realize.”
When a Vacation Becomes a Legal Battle
After the accident, Samantha faced a confusing maze of maritime law. The at-fault boat owner denied responsibility, and their insurer claimed she had been standing when the crash occurred — suggesting her own negligence. “They twisted everything,” she recalls. “I felt powerless.” That changed when she hired a boat accident lawyer in New Jersey recommended by a family friend. “He told me something I’ll never forget: ‘The truth is in the evidence, not the excuses.’”
Her attorney began investigating immediately, filing a claim under maritime jurisdiction. Boat accidents fall under both state and federal laws, depending on where they occur — something most victims don’t realize. “I learned that boating law is its own universe,” Samantha says. “Without a lawyer, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.”
Uncovering Negligence on the Water
Her legal team reconstructed the crash using Coast Guard reports and GPS data from both vessels. The evidence revealed the other driver had been drinking and speeding in a restricted area. “That was the turning point,” Samantha recalls. Her attorney also uncovered that the driver had no valid boating safety certificate, a violation of New Jersey law. “They weren’t just careless,” she says. “They were reckless.”
The case dragged on for over a year, filled with depositions and expert testimony. Samantha’s lawyer brought in a maritime accident specialist who explained the unique dynamics of water collisions — currents, angles, and boat wake patterns. “It was like watching science meet justice,” she says. In the end, the court ruled in her favor, awarding compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. “No money replaces what I lost,” Samantha admits, “but accountability matters.”
The Recovery and the Reality
Beyond the courtroom, Samantha faced physical therapy and nightmares. “I couldn’t step onto a dock without panic,” she says. Her attorney continued to check on her long after the case ended. “That’s rare,” she notes. “He cared about me as a person.”
Today, she’s become a vocal advocate for boating safety, partnering with local marinas to educate others. “People think boating accidents are rare,” she says. “But in New Jersey alone, dozens happen every summer.” Her advice to boaters is straightforward: respect the water, never drink while operating a vessel, and know your rights if disaster strikes. “If it happens,” she says, “find a lawyer who knows both compassion and maritime law.”
To anyone feeling lost after an accident, Samantha offers hope. “I didn’t think I’d ever smile again,” she says. “But justice gave me closure — and my lawyer gave me courage.”
