Boating accidents injure and kill hundreds of people every year. If you plan on operating a boat this summer, it is vital that you take steps to prevent an accident. This includes staying sober and following state and local regulations that can be found on the website of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.
Safely operating a boat also includes wearing a life jacket and having a plan in place for when accidents do happen.
What Causes Boating Accidents?
According to the United States Coast Guard, the leading causes of boating accidents are:
- Operator inattention. This includes anything that takes your eyes and/or attention away from the task of operating a boat
- Operator inexperience. Novice boat operators are more likely to misjudge and lose control of their vessels
- Excessive speeds. Horsepower is capped for motorized boats in most bodies of water. Speeds must be adjusted with weather and traffic
- Alcohol use. All intoxicants, including marijuana and alcohol, impair your ability to operate a boat
- Navigational rules violations. Like a highway, there are rules for safely navigating water when in the presence of other boats
These causes of boating accidents are all operator-related. They can only be prevented if the operator takes care to avoid them. When you are injured due to the way someone else was driving a boat, you may be entitled to compensation.
In addition to operator error, issues such as mechanical failure, inclement weather, and hazardous waters are common causes of boating accidents. As with accidents involving operator error, it is possible that you are entitled to compensation when an injury is caused by one of these factors. The best way to find out is through a one-on-one consultation with an experienced boating accident lawyer.
Why Choose Us
Kline & Specter PC has a team of more than 40 established and respected attorneys. We have decades of experience helping victims of serious injury in boating accidents.
Kline & Specter maintains offices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Delaware. For cases outside those states, we work with local attorneys in each state as applicable. Please call 215-772-1000 to schedule your free case review.
