Legal Counseling for Boating Accident Victims
Living in southern California means easy access to lakes, rivers, and beaches. Tourists and residents regularly head out to the waters and enjoy sporting activities. But there are also commercial ships, towing vessels, and other boats that share the water. More people and more vessels in the water mean more accidents.
California Recreational Boating Accident Statistics
According to the California Department of Boating and Waterways (the “DBW”), in 2012 there were 473 recreational boating accidents, involving 247 injuries, and 53 deaths. The total amount of property damage for recreational boating accidents in 2012 was $5,794,000. Los Angeles accounts for approximately 12.5% of those damages1.
Type of Accidents
According to the DBW, collision with other vessels account for the most accidents in California. In 2012, approximately 32% of accidents involved collisions with other vessels. Other types of accidents include the following:
- Flooding/swamping
- Grounding
- Sinking
- Skier mishap
- Capsizing
- Fell overboard
- Ejected from a vessel
- Collision with fixed object
- Stuck by motor/propeller
- Struck by boat
- Fire explosion2
Cause of Accidents
The DBW states that in 2012 the number one cause of boating accidents was due to operator inattention. Not falling far behind, operator inexperience and excessive speed were the number two and three causes of boating accidents, respectively. Other common causes of boating accidents including the following:
- Machinery failure
- Equipment failure
- Careless/reckless operation
- Alcohol use
- Sharp turn
- Passenger/skier behavior
- Drug use3
Contact Experienced Injury Attorneys
If you were injured in a boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Our team of experienced injury attorneys will help you get the medical attention you need and will help you recover compensation for your medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.