Boating Safety and Personal Injury
Summer is the season of fun. Kids are off from school, and many people take to the water to beat the heat. Unfortunately, some people don’t take water safety as seriously as they should—and their ignorance or negligence can lead to an accident.
Watercraft, just like automobiles, are motorized vehicles. Sometimes people who might exercise due caution behind the wheel of their car may fail to do so when in control of a boat or personal watercraft. The results can put a tragic end to a day of fun in the sun.
Causes of Boating Accidents
Sadly, alcohol is still the leading factor in accidents on the water. Whether operating a boat or a personal watercraft, consuming alcohol greatly increases the chance of having an accident that injures you or someone else. Legal limits for blood alcohol content are the same for watercraft as they are for driving a car—a fact too many boaters tend to neglect.
Other factors that can lead to injury from a boat or personal watercraft accident include:
- Operator distraction
- Operator inexperience
- Sun glare
- Sudden storms or other inclement weather
- Failure to use life preservers
Rowboats, kayaks and other human-powered watercraft are not immune to injury-causing accidents.
Injuries from Boating Accidents
Injuries from watercraft accidents range from minor bruises to death. Not every accident on the water is a collision; boat surfaces can be slippery and falls are not uncommon. Drowning is a very real danger as well, which is why every boat should have at least one life preserver for each passenger.
Some of the more common boating injuries include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Concussion
- Drowning or near-drowning
- Eye damage
- Loss of limb
Legal Action after a Boating Accident Injury
Unfortunately, you may still become injured in a watercraft accident despite taking proper safety precautions. Sometimes, another person’s negligence may put you or a loved one in harm’s way.
After an accidental injury on the water, you may find yourself suddenly awash in medical bills and lost wages. These unexpected expenses can pile up quickly. You may not have to face these costs, or your pain and suffering, alone. There may be legal help available.
If you think someone’s negligence led to the boating accident that caused your injuries, we’d like to help. Contact our office today for a free case evaluation.