New York Ferry Accident Leaves 57 People Injured

Hampton Roads with its many rivers and other waterways has a number of ferry and boat services.

Accidents on the water are rarer than those on the highways, but when they do occur they can be serious as illustrated by an accident in New York when a commuter ferry carrying hundreds of people from New Jersey to New York struck a pier and another vessel. The accident left 57 injured.

The accident occurred on Jan. 9, 2013. “Packed with 326 passengers and five crew members, the vessel tossed people like rag dolls as it slammed to a halt, flinging those aboard into the air and against walls, seats and windows, according to several witnesses,” CNN reported.

“I saw a lot of bleeding heads with white bandages (and) a lot of people strapped to boards,” said passerby Julie Westfall.

As a Norfolk boat accident injury lawyer, I am well aware of the potential dangers from crashes on the water.

Every summer we report on a number of accidents on Hampton Roads waterways such as the Elizabeth River, the James River, the Lynnhaven River and the Chesapeake Bay.

In July, 2012 we reported on how a boating accident turned tragic off Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay. And just a month later a 57-year-old women was killed when a boat piloted by her husband hit a concrete pillar in Southport, North Carolina (NC).

As an experienced Virginia Beach boating accident injury attorney I see too many boating accidents and people drowned every year in the Tidewater area of Virginia as well as in the waterways of North Eastern North Carolina. In many cases basic safety precautions have been ignored.

If you have been hurt on a vessel due to someone else’s mistake you should contact an experienced Norfolk boating injury lawyer for a free consultation.

The Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA personal injury law firm, Cooper Hurley, handles automobile, truck, and motorcycle injuries as well as wrongful death, railroad injury cases and medical malpractice. John Cooper and Jim Hurley have over 40 years of combined experience in handling auto injury accident claims. Attorney John Cooper has been named to Virginia “Super Lawyers” since 2010. Cooper Hurley represents people hurt in accidents in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and throughout VA, and always put the best interests of our clients first. The firm is recognized by other lawyers as “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, a national attorney rating service, for our top level of legal skill and highest ethical standards. Our motto is: “Your Injury, our fight.” If you need help or advice about a serious injury, please call us at (757) 455 -0077 or contact us through this website.