Boating accidents can cause serious injury and death. If you or a loved one has been involved in a boating accident, the boat accident attorneys at Schauermann Thayer are here to fight in your corner.
Boat operators and others on the water often neglect basic safety considerations. Passengers and others can pay a price for the actions of negligent boaters. You may be entitled to compensation when you have been injured by someone else’s actions in a boating accident.
Contact the attorneys at Schauermann Thayer to learn more about your legal options after you have been injured in a boating accident, or you have lost a loved one. We will review the facts of your case and help you determine your legal path forward.
Here are three causes of boating accidents that could result in fatalities on the water.
Alcohol is one of the most common causes of boating accident fatalities. According to the United States Coast Guard, roughly one out of every six deaths on the water occur in accidents where alcohol use is a factor. Alcohol presents a unique danger because it compromises the judgment of the operator. Their perceptions become skewed, and their reflexes are distorted.
The Coast Guard also further explains that alcohol can have a greater effect on the water than it does on drivers on land. Between the noise of the boat, the sun, wind and spray of the water, the effects of alcohol can be accelerated. In other words, a boat operator can become under the influence quicker and more intensely than a driver.
Alcohol can affect the operator of the boat that you were on or another driver of the boat that caused an accident. The effects of alcohol can even make it harder for a passenger to get out of the water because they could suffer from hypothermia, and they may not be able to tell the difference between up and down when they are trying to pull themselves to safety.
Boat owners should make every effort to closely check the weather forecast before they head out onto the water. If there is any rough weather in the forecast, they are advised to remain on shore that day. If the boater is out on the water when the weather appears ready to change, they should immediately proceed back to shore. Inclement weather causes rough seas. Not only is the boat more likely to capsize, but the operator also has limited visibility. They may not see debris, piers or other boats before they are in a collision. Further, passengers on the boat have much less of a chance of surviving when they are thrown into choppy waters. They may not be able to remain afloat until rescuers arrive on the scene. Hazardous waters can cause the boat to capsize.
Boat operators must follow all posted speed limits when they are near the shore. In addition, they should also travel at a reasonable speed when they are on the open water. When a boat operator is speeding, they place their passengers in grave danger. The operator may not see debris in the water or a pier. The boat’s operator may also get too close to the wake created by another boat and capsize. Speeding may cause the captain to lose control of the boat.
Boat operators should take a safety course to learn the hazards that they may face on the water. According to the Coast Guard, three-quarters of boating accident fatalities result from situations where the operator did not take a boating safety course. Washington law requires many boat operators to take a safety course, although some may not follow the law.
Most boating deaths occur from drowning. One study shows that over three-quarters of boating accident fatalities occur due to drowning, while 18% are due to the trauma of the crash. Accident victims do not always wear personal flotation devices, although life jackets may not be enough to save them in the water. 16% of boating accident drowning victims were wearing life jackets at the time.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Potential defendants in a boating accident lawsuit can include:
The boat’s operator
The operator of another boat involved in the collision
The owner of the marina or pier
The manufacturer of the boat
The company that rented the boat
Your boat accident lawyer will review and investigate your case and help you determine potential defendants who you can sue.
The Washington boat accident lawyers at Schauermann Thayer are standing by and ready to help - all you need to do is send us a message through our website or call us to schedule a free initial consultation. Call us today at (360) 818-2725 to speak with a lawyer. There is no charge to you unless you win your case.
Sources:
https://www.boatingsafetymag.com/safety-tips/top-11-causes-boating-accidents/
Ben Melnick is a skilled personal injury attorney who joined the firm in 2018 and became a partner in 2020. He earned a BA from Washington State University and a JD from Gonzaga University School of Law. Ben's practice focuses on various areas such as personal injury, auto, motorcycle, and biking accidents, wrongful death, and insurance disputes. He is licensed to practice in all Washington and Oregon state and federal courts.Aside from his work, Ben is an active member of the legal community. He serves as an Eagle Member of the Washington State Association for Justice and chaired the WSAJ Clark County Round Table. Ben is also a Guardian in the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association. He is the Treasurer of the Clark County Bar Association and a board member of the Campaign for Equal Justice Executive Board.Ben is highly recognized in the legal industry as he was named the Clark County Bar Association’s Rising Star in 2016 and has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2021, 2022, and 2023. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and engaging in outdoor activities such as running, soccer, hiking, and skiing.... View full business profile here: Benjamin Melnick
