Whether you are enjoying time on a privately owned boat, riding a personal watercraft such as a jet ski, or taking a ferry to work you are at risk for serious boating injuries. Although boat operators and owners have a duty to exercise the highest degree of care in order to prevent injuries to others, injuries still frequently occur as the result of negligence or carelessness.
Some of the most common boat accidents are the following:
- Slip and fall due to a wet surface
- Multiple boat collisions
- Boat sinking or tipping
- Boat fires
Many accidents which take place on watercrafts are the result of a reckless or inexperienced operator or some type of boat malfunction.
There are approximately 13 millions boats and watercrafts registered in the U.S., many of which should be equipped with Coast Guard approved safety devices, such as:
- Personal floatation devices of varying sizes for adults and children
- Sound producing devices, such as a horn, whistle, or bell
- Working radio to make distress calls in the event of an emergency
- Fire extinguisher
- Visual distress signals such as lights or orange flags
- Ventilation on gasoline powered boats
These and other safety devices are important for boaters of all ages and skill levels because they may save lives by preventing accidents and serious injuries. Unfortunately, 800 people are killed and over 8,000 people suffer injuries due to involvement in boating accidents every year.
We invite you to call 1-866-218-3776 to speak with an experienced boating accident injury attorney at GJEL if you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident. We provide free consultations, and we’re paid only when we win your claim. You’ll pay no fees if we don’t obtain a verdict or settlement for you.
Please visit the Contact Us page to find our local office nearest you.
