Law & Legal & Attorney Accidents & personal injury Law

Boat Accident Lawyer- Injuries from Boating Accidents

California inland waters boast many of the best boating opportunities in the United States. Every year tens of thousands of boaters use California waters for power boating, sailing, water skiing, jet skiing, and fishing. The congestion on these waters means great potential for boating accidents that may result from criminal acts and negligence. If you or a family member has been injured while boating, a boat accident lawyer can help you seek the financial damages to which you may be entitled.

Boating is one of Californians favorite pastimes. The state has close to 8,000 square miles of inland water and nearly 3,400 miles of ocean shoreline. Consequently a significant number of boating accidents that result in injury are reported each year. The most common causes of boating accidents include:
  • alcohol use ( leading factor in 16% of deaths)
  • careless or reckless operation
  • operator inexperience
  • improper lookout
  • passenger behavior
  • excess speed

Additionally, it is reported that more than two-thirds of all fatal boating accident victims die of drowning and about 90% were not wearing a life jacket. If you know someone that has been injured in a boating accident, contact an experienced boat accident lawyer to discuss your legal rights and options.

Boating accidents are not always a result of operator error or negligence. Accidents may be caused by a defective product and the manufacturer may be the liable party. A dangerous condition in the body of water may cause an accident, and the agency responsible for maintaining a safe boating environment could be held liable.

Every year, the U.S. Coast Guard compiles statistics on all of the reported boating accidents that are filed by the operators of recreational vessels involved in a boating accident. The most recent statistics posted are from 2009. In that year 4,730 accidents resulting in 736 deaths and 3,358 injuries were reported in the United States. This puts the fatality rate at 5.8 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vehicles nationwide. 46% of the boats involved were open motor boats, 22% were personal watercraft and 14% cabin motorboats. This is a significant percentage of fatalities per registered vessel, pointing to the dangers of boating and the opportunity for recklessness and negligence resulting in serious injury.

California law requires that if a boating accident occurs, the boat operator must file a report. If the operator is not able to meet this requirement, the boat owner is responsible for filing the report.

Accident injuries may entitle the injured parties to compensation for their injuries. A boat accident lawyerwill set up a free case evaluation and help you navigate the claims process.

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