South Carolina’s coastal beauty is a treasure. But boating in places like Hilton Head, Beaufort, and the backwaters of Chechessee Creek, Salt Creek, and the Broad River carries real risks. At Malchow Johnson Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped clients whose lives changed in a split second due to someone else’s poor choices on the water.
Boating accidents aren’t just numbers on a chart. They’re the reason a family vacation turns into a hospital visit. They’re why someone never makes it home. The waters around Port Royal Sound, Skull Creek, May River, and Mackay Creek are as unpredictable as the people navigating them.
And let’s be honest. A lot of those people have no idea what they’re doing.
They made everything easy for me! Even when I lost faith in the car accident where a drunk driver hit me, they helped me through every process. They were quick as they could be and made everything easier for me while being in the process of my move to Japan for the Navy, full time student, and planning my own wedding. I appreciated the help. Thank you!”
- Julissa Evans
I had the pleasure of allowing Mr. Leland Malchow to represent my case and I would recommend 10star rating if possible. Not only was Mr. Leland very professional and knowledgeable, he also took the time to listen to my frustrations about my situation. He offered a listening ear, as well as some kind motivational advice. Our relationship has been through business only but I would extend a hand to him and the law firm from here on out. Thank you all and God Bless."
- Chris Rowland
Chris Johnson is an exceptional attorney for car wreck cases. His expertise, clear communication, thorough preparation, and effective negotiation skills led to a favorable outcome. With compassion and support, he guided me through the process, making him highly recommended for anyone in need of a skilled legal advocate."
- Jayko Robinett
Inexperienced and untrained boaters flood South Carolina’s waterways every summer. Mix in alcohol, excessive speed, or just plain recklessness, and you have a recipe for disaster. Battery Creek and Jarvis Creek Lake may look peaceful, but they hide danger when someone turns their boat into a toy.
Drunk boating is not just a bad idea—it’s illegal. Boating Under the Influence (BUI) carries serious consequences. It impairs judgment, slows reaction times, and puts everyone at risk. If you’re hurt by a drunk boater, we don’t just hold them accountable—we demand justice.
We’ve seen the damage a collision causes. A boat hits another vessel, a swimmer, a dock, or even runs aground. It only takes seconds, but the injuries can last a lifetime. Broken bones, brain trauma, spinal injuries. In the Intracoastal Waterway or the Beaufort River, there’s little room for error. Especially when someone thinks a throttle is a toy.
Some cases are even more heartbreaking. When adults give alcohol to minors on boats, they endanger lives. It’s not only wrong—it’s criminal. South Carolina law allows us to pursue those who give alcohol to underage passengers and drivers. And when a child is injured because an adult handed over keys to a high-powered boat or jet ski, that’s called negligent entrustment. We know how to prove it. We’ve done it.
Leland Malchow
Attorney - Partner
Chris Johnson
Attorney - Partner
Dane Anderson
Associate Attorney
Bailey Marshall
Associate Attorney
The law gets even tougher when children are involved. If someone’s choices endangered a child on a boat, we pursue child endangerment charges alongside injury claims. Because no parent should get a call that their child was hurt due to someone else’s thoughtless behavior.
We’ve worked with victims who were simply enjoying a swim when tragedy struck. A speeding boat veers too close in the May River or Broad Creek, and in an instant, everything changes. Boat-swimmer collisions are devastating. We know what it takes to gather the truth and bring justice.
We also handle cases where the owner of the boat isn’t even behind the wheel. If someone lets an unqualified or intoxicated person operate their vessel, they may be guilty of negligent entrustment. This applies whether the incident happened in Jarvis Creek Lake, the Broad River, or out in the Atlantic.
And when the open sea meets inland creeks, like in the waters near Port Royal Sound and Skull Creek, it’s easy to forget that speed and showboating can kill. Many of the worst cases we’ve seen happened just offshore, where people thought they were safe.
It’s not just about holding someone responsible. It’s about helping you reclaim control. That might mean getting your medical bills paid. It might mean going to court. But what matters most is putting someone in your corner who knows these waters and these laws.
At Malchow Johnson Injury Lawyers, we understand South Carolina’s waterways. We know how fast things go wrong in Broad Creek, Port Royal Sound, or the open Atlantic. Our team investigates boat-swimmer collisions, reckless operation, and cases of BUI with relentless focus. We work with marine experts. We gather witness statements. We fight like it happened to our own family.
We’ve been in courtrooms arguing for victims from Beaufort River, Chechessee Creek, and even as far out as Mackay Creek. Whether the case involves a rental boat with a teen behind the wheel or a high-speed collision caused by someone showing off, we show up ready.
If you or someone you love was injured in a boating accident on the coast or in the backwaters near Hilton Head, Beaufort, or anywhere along the Chechessee, May, or Broad Rivers, you don’t have to figure this out alone. Let us help. We’ll listen, we’ll explain your legal options, and we’ll fight for what’s fair.
You didn’t cause the accident. But you can choose what happens next. Call Malchow Johnson Injury Lawyers today. We’re ready when you are.
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