Boating can be a fun and exciting experience. However, when precautionary safety measures aren’t taken, a fun boating trip can turn into a catastrophic crash that leads to serious injury. Boating crashes can take place on various types of watercrafts, including jet skis, private-owned boats, cruise ships and other types of vessels. A boating accident can happen to anyone. Whether you are a seasoned boating aficionado or have just begun to tread the waters, you may fall victim to the serious injury that results from a watercraft accident. If you or someone you know has suffered from this type of accident please contact or or call a boat accident lawyer at our firm.
There a number of hazardous situations that can lead to a boating crashes. Driving under the influence (DUI) is often a reason for a number of motor vehicle accidents, including auto accidents and motorcycle accidents. However, DUI accidents can also occur while riding a boat. A DUI boat accident can be extremely perilous because the boat or vessel runs the risk of capsizing and thus, may lead to death by drowning, brain/head injury, spinal cord injury and a number of catastrophic injuries. Furthermore, operators and drivers who decide to operate a boat while intoxicated significantly increase the chances of fatality as a result of a crash.
A vast majority of boating crashes occur as a result of operator negligence and/or inexperience. When passengers board a boat, they expect the boat operator to possess the skill and experience necessary to operate the watercraft safely. In truth, many boat operators fail to acknowledge the severity of potential boating accidents. The perils and threats that boats and other watercrafts are subject to extend far beyond capsizing. When a boat flips over, not only are passengers at risk of drowning, but a boat faces the risk of collision with other boats, which may lead to catastrophic injury and wrongful death. Furthermore, a boat operator who is speeding may not be able to come to a halt in time to avoid striking another boat. In many cases, head-on boat collisions result in extreme damage and can leave passengers in critical condition, or worse.
Who is Liable for Your Boating Crash Injury?
When a boating crash occurs, it is the responsibility of the watercraft operator to report it to the rightful authorities. Failure to report an accident may cause unnecessary hardship to families and loved ones. In addition to reporting the occurrence of a boating accident, boat operator must provide the names, addresses and registration numbers in order to seek immediate assistance and avoid further serious injury. If a person was fatally injured, has disappeared, or if a passenger suffered injury that required medical treatment beyond first aid, it is the duty of a boat operator to report it.
A Boat Crash Lawyer Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, it is imperative that you preserve evidence immediately after the crash (if possible). Much like auto accidents, timing is essential in order to successfully prove liability in a boating accident case. Preserving evidence is crucial in all personal injury cases. It is critical to obtain the evidence as soon as possible in order to ensure that it remains secured and cannot be altered. This allows for the boating accident to be investigated fairly and justly. Contact or call a boat accident lawyer at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys to schedule a consultation today: (701) 235-8000.