This page was written and reviewed by Michael J. Cefali, Esq. Attorney Cefali is a founding partner of Cefali & Cefali, APC, based in San Juan Capistrano, CA. He holds a Juris Doctor from Chapman University Fowler School of Law and a B.A. in Global Studies & Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy. Widely recognized for his advocacy in personal injury law, he has secured multi-hundred-thousand-dollar settlements in motorcycle accidents, hit-and-runs, and red-light collision cases. He maintains a perfect 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo.
Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Cefali actively supports his community through the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributes to housing and meal programs for those in need, and enjoys fishing and spending time with his rescue dogs.
The date below reflects when this page was last reviewed for accuracy. Please see our Editorial Guidelines.
If you were injured in a boating accident in Riverside County, on Lake Elsinore, Lake Perris, Canyon Lake, or another local waterway, the personal injury attorneys at Cefali & Cefali can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Boat cases involve rules that ordinary car accident claims do not, from California's boating-under-the-influence law to accident-reporting deadlines, and we know how to apply them. Call (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation, available 24/7. No fee unless we win.
Most boating accidents are caused by operator error: inattention, excessive speed, inexperience, and boating under the influence of alcohol. Equipment failure, overcrowding, and hazardous weather or water conditions are also common causes. Alcohol is one of the leading contributing factors in fatal boating accidents.
California treats drinking and boating as seriously as drunk driving. Under Harbors and Navigation Code section 655, it is illegal to operate a recreational vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher (0.04 percent for commercial vessels). When a BUI operator injures someone, that violation is strong evidence of negligence in an injury claim.
Who is liable for a boating accident?
Depending on the cause, the liable party may be the boat operator, the boat owner who let an unfit operator use the vessel, another boater, a rental company, or the manufacturer of a defective boat or component. More than one party can share responsibility, and identifying all of them takes a prompt investigation.
Common liability scenarios include:
Operator negligence: speeding, distraction, BUI, or reckless operation
Owner liability: letting an inexperienced or impaired person operate the boat
Rental company liability: renting an unsafe vessel or failing to instruct the renter
Product liability: a defective hull, engine, steering, or fuel system, where the manufacturer can be strictly liable
What are California's boating safety laws?
California requires life jackets, sober operation, accident reporting, and, as of 2025, a California Boater Card for operators. A violation of any of these laws by the person who caused your crash can help establish negligence. The key rules are:
Life jackets: children under 13 must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket on a moving recreational vessel, and every boat must carry an approved life jacket for each person aboard.
Boating under the influence: operating with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher violates Harbors and Navigation Code 655.
California Boater Card: as of 2025, all operators must carry one.
Reckless operation: operating a vessel or water skis in a way that endangers others is prohibited.
Do you have to report a boating accident in California?
Yes. A boating accident must be reported to the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways. A report is due within 48 hours if the accident causes death within 24 hours, a disappearance, or an injury beyond basic first aid, and within 10 days for a later death, property damage over $500, or the total loss of the vessel.
Reporting matters for your injury claim as well as the law: the official report creates a record of what happened, and prompt reporting helps preserve evidence before a boat is repaired or moved.
Common Boat Accident Injuries
Because boats offer little protection and accidents often happen far from immediate medical help, injuries can be severe:
Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
Spinal cord and back injuries
Drowning and near-drowning, which can cause lasting brain damage
Propeller injuries, which cause deep lacerations and amputations
Broken bones, burns, and hypothermia
Propeller and drowning injuries in particular are specific to the water and can be catastrophic, which is one reason boat claims often involve significant long-term care costs.
What compensation can you recover after a boat accident?
An injured person can recover economic damages (medical bills, future care, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life). California places no cap on these general damages in an ordinary injury case.
If a boating accident is fatal, close family members can bring a wrongful death claim under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 for funeral costs, lost support, and loss of companionship. Where an operator acted with extreme recklessness, such as operating while heavily intoxicated, punitive damages under Civil Code section 3294 may also be available.
How long do you have to file a boat accident claim in California?
For a boating accident on California's inland lakes and reservoirs, you generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Accidents on navigable waters can fall under federal maritime law, which may set a different deadline, so it is important to have a lawyer review your case early to confirm which rules apply.
Why Choose Our Riverside Boat Accident Lawyers
Boat accident claims turn on details a general practice can miss: the operator's BUI status, the reporting deadlines, life-jacket and Boater Card violations, whether a defective part contributed, and whether state or maritime law governs the deadline. We investigate the crash, preserve the vessel as evidence, identify every liable party, and handle the insurer, and we are ready to take your case to trial if the offer is not fair. We represent boating accident victims throughout Riverside County, including from our Hemet office, on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no fee unless we win.
Michael Cefali is a dedicated accident attorney based in San Juan Capistrano, California, committed to securing justice and fair compensation for accident victims.
A graduate of Newport Harbor High School, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy, followed by his Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law.
Deeply invested in his community, Michael is an active member of the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributing to efforts that provide meals, housing, and support to those in need. Outside of his legal work and volunteer service, he enjoys fishing in Dana Point and spending time with his three rescue dogs—a Chihuahua, a Spaniel mix, and a Shepherd mix.
Driven by his strong belief in justice and fairness, Michael remains steadfast in advocating for individuals harmed by the negligence or inaction of others.
