Boating accident attorney bellingham Tag

National Safe Boating Week: What You Need to Know About Boating Accidents

Can I Get a Boating Accident Settlement if the At-Fault Party Doesn’t Have Boat Insurance?

The injuries and property damage that result from boating accidents can be very serious. Negligent boating behaviors such as operating a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and disregarding state boating laws, or failing to stop reckless passenger behavior that leads to an accident can all contribute to determining fault in a boating accident.

Unfortunately, it is often complicated to recover a settlement from a boating accident because so many people don’t carry boat insurance. Some may wonder if they can get a boating accident settlement if the at-fault party doesn’t have boat insurance. The answer is that it is possible, but it will require the help of an experienced boating accident lawyer.

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Prevent a Fall Boating Accident Fatality with Safety Tips for Fall Boaters

The 2020 recreational boating accident safety statistics report revealed a 25 percent increase in boating fatalities nationwide over 2019. There are several reasons for the increase in fatal boating accidents that we reviewed in this blog post. For many in the Pacific Northwest, boating season is over now that we have hit fall temperatures and less daylight hours. For those who are still heading out on their boats, this blog post is for you.

According to a report from the U.S. Coast Guard, fall boating accidents are much more likely to be fatal than crashes that occur during the summer months. The reason for this is because of the differences in weather and water temperature. Fall boaters are potentially boating in much colder water and are more likely to get caught in weather hazards.

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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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2017 Boating Accidents and Injuries: Statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard

Summer is boating season and that means thousands of people will be out on the water every day. It’s important to understand the risks and safety tips for boating before setting out. Recreational Boating Statistics released in May, 2018 showed a decrease in recreational boating deaths, boating accidents, and boating injuries in 2017.

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Summer Sun Here We Come! Boating Accident Season is here.

It’s summer and in the Pacific Northwest we know the good weather won’t last long so now is the time to get out and enjoy the water. For many people that means dusting off the boat that has been sitting in storage through the cold weather. Although boating is usually safe and fun, we should be aware of the risks of boating accidents and the types of risky behavior we should avoid.

Boating Accident Statistics

According to the US Coast Guard, in 2010 alone, there were 4,604 reported recreational boating accidents resulting in 672 fatalities and 3,153 injuries. Sadly, twenty-one of these deaths were children under the age of thirteen, many of whom were wearing life jackets. In addition, these accidents were responsible for approximately $35.5 million dollars of property damage.

The fatality rate for boating accidents in 2010 was 5.4 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, a slight decrease over the prior year’s rate of 5.8 deaths per 100,000 registered vessels. Three-quarters of boating related deaths involved drowning; of those victims, 88% were not wearing a life jacket. Most boating fatalities occur in the afternoon to early evening time slot, in an open, uncovered motorboat, with a middle-aged driver.

Causes of Boating Accidents

• 1/3 of boating accidents involve a driver under the influence of alcohol. Boating operators should know that similar to the way that a drunk driver can get a DUI on the road, a boat operator can be found guilty of steering a boat while under the influence. Unfortunately the stigma around drunk driving a vehicle has not extended to the boating community where drinking and boating is still a significant problem. A simple mistake due to impairment can lead to serious injuries or death. It is not uncommon for passengers to fall off their own boats because the operator is speeding or driving recklessly.
• Severe weather such as heavy rains, winds, or large wakes from other vessels can throw passengers overboard.
• Boat engines produce toxic carbon monoxide which could result in injury.
• Inexperienced boaters ill prepared to handle dangerous or unfamiliar situations can cause severe harm to passengers or other individuals in the water.
• When propellers or other boat parts malfunction.
• A boat that has not been maintained or repaired correctly can cause disaster

If a person’s negligence resulted in the injuries you sustained on the water, you could be eligible to receive compensation.

What is Boating Operator Negligence?

• Operating the boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Not following navigation rules.
• Not paying attention to the operation of the vessel.
• Failing to keep a proper lookout.
• Causing danger from the vessel’s wake.
• Allowing passengers to ride on parts of the boat, they shouldn’t be such as the bow, gunwales or transom of a vessel (when this happens, individuals are at high risk of falling overboard).

Boating accidents do not occur as frequently as car accidents so it is in your interest to hire a personal injury attorney familiar with boating accident cases. Whether you are physically or emotionally scarred or you have lost wages due to your sudden inability to work, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates are here to help you determine if you have a legitimate legal case and to get you every dollar in compensation for which you are entitled-do not delay contact us today!