2020 Recreational Boating Statistics Report Reveals 25% Increase in Boating Fatalities
The U.S. Coast Guard 2020 Boating Safety Statistics Report revealed a 25.1 percent increase in boating fatalities nationwide. As always, inexperience and drunkenness were leading causes of boating accidents but a significant increase in boating activity during the pandemic was likely a factor as well. It simply came down to more hours spent boating translating into more boating accidents and injuries.
If you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident because of the negligent or reckless behavior of another, you have a right to seek compensation for your injuries. A boat accident attorney can discuss your legal rights and help you fight for a fair settlement.
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Personal Injury Claims for Drunk Boating Accidents
Boating accidents may not be as common as car accidents but there are still thousands of accidents every year. According to data from the Coast Guard, there were 4,168 recreational boating accidents and 613 boating accident-related fatalities in 2019 alone; this was a slight decrease from the 633 boating fatalities reported in 2018. In 2019, the boating fatality rate was 5.2 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels. In addition, 2,559 people were injured and there was $55 million dollars’ worth of property damage.
Some of the common causes of boating accidents are inexperienced captains, unfavorable boating conditions, and drunken boating. In fact, drunk boating accidents are responsible for hundreds of injuries and boating deaths every year.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed because of a drunken boat skipper, you are entitled to file a boat accident claim that seeks to recover damages. An experienced boating accident attorney can discuss your legal rights and help you through the process to ensure you get the maximum settlement for your injuries.
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Shark Tank Star’s Wife Charged in Deadly Boat Crash
According to an article on People.com, Linda O’Leary – the wife of Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary – has been charged with “careless operation of a vessel” in relation to a fatal boat crash on Lake Joseph in Canada on August 24, 2019. According to a statement by the Ontario Provincial Police, Richard Ruh, who was operating the boat at the time of the crash, was charged with “failing to exhibit navigation light while underway.” Two people were killed and three others were injured in the boating accident where the O’Leary’s boat crashed into a larger vessel, going over its bow and hitting a passenger. Linda O’Leary reportedly passed a DUI test given to her by authorities on the night of the crash. She is scheduled to appear in Ontario court on October 29, 2019.
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We Represent Boating Accident Injury Victims
It’s boating season in the Pacific Northwest; between the ocean and our many lakes there are many boating options. While a day out on the water usually ends well, thousands of people are injured and hundreds are killed each year in a boating accident. Boating accidents happen in all kinds of boats ranging from ski boats, to fishing boats, privately owned yachts, etc.
If you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident because of the negligent behavior of the skipper of the boat you are in or another boat operator, contact a boating accident lawyer to discuss your legal rights as soon as you are able.