How Do Most Boating Accidents Occur?

Boating is a summer pastime for many Americans, but those lazy afternoons on the water can quickly turn deadly when a boating accident occurs. According to the US Coast Guard, more than 4,000 boating accidents occur in this country every year, resulting in more than 2,000 non-fatal injuries and over 600 boating deaths.

Thankfully, Pennsylvania has relatively few boating accidents, with only 41 accidents reported in 2022. These incidents resulted in 30 injuries that required medical attention and nine fatalities. New Jersey saw more boating accidents, with 110 resulting in 32 injuries and four deaths. While this may seem relatively small, the affected victims and their families will be affected for years.

What Are The Common Causes Of Boating Accidents?

While there are many different reasons boating accidents happen, Coast Guard statistics indicate that alcohol use is the most common cause of boating accidents, directly causing 16 percent of all boating-related fatalities in 2022. After alcohol, the five most common boating accidents occur due to:

• boat operator inattention
• operator inexperience
• improper lookout
• excessive speed
• machinery failure

What Types Of Injuries Do Boating Accidents Cause?

Usually, boating accidents stem from one of three situations: one of the boat passengers falls overboard into the water, the boat crashes into another object, or the boat capsizes. These incidents often result in severe injuries, such as:

• Burns
• Broken bones
• Serious soft tissue injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Accidental amputations

Additionally, if someone gets trapped underwater during a boating accident, they are at risk of suffering an anoxic brain injury caused by insufficient oxygen getting to the brain. This type of injury can result in permanent brain damage that changes their life forever.

How Can Boating Accidents Be Prevented?

While we typically think of boating as a recreational activity, it must be remembered that operating a boat, whether powered by a motor, wind, or oar, requires vigilance. It’s essential to remain aware of your surroundings whenever a boat is in motion and always be conscious of your safety and that of those around you.

Boat operators need to know the relevant laws and regulations for operating a boat on the water and the specifics of the vessel they intend to operate. Taking a boating safety course is an excellent first step toward gaining experience on the water and understanding how to operate a boat safely.

Life jackets should also be worn at all times by all passengers, and everyone aboard should know where to find safety equipment. Additionally, the US Coast Guard offers all boat owners a free vessel safety check annually.

Boating accidents often happen when people engage in water sports like water skiing, tubing, or wakeboarding. It’s essential that boat drivers or appointed lookouts properly alert any surrounding boats that someone is in the water and that boat operators be mindful that there could be someone in the water even if they haven’t been specifically warned.

Boat operators must know how many people their boat can safely hold, as overloading it with too many people can lead to capsizing. Capsizing is the second most common type of boating accident in Pennsylvania, so it’s crucial to exercise sound judgment when out on the water.

Like any motor vehicle, boats require regular maintenance. Issues with the engine, steering, or hull can lead to serious injuries and death. Manufacturing defects can also impact how a boat functions and contribute to a boating-related injury or death.

Finally, just like driving a car, general boating safety rules always apply. Drug and alcohol use causes the most fatal boating accidents because it affects the judgment and reaction time of the boat operator. Also, exceeding speed limits can make other boats, hazards, and obstacles more difficult to see in time to prevent a collision.

Who’s Liable In A Boating Accident?

When boat accidents result in catastrophic injury or death, it’s human nature to want to find someone to blame. While some accidents can’t be avoided, many can be prevented by following common sense practices and safety regulations like those listed above.

You may have grounds for a liability case if you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident and you believe that someone else’s negligence resulted in injury. You could be entitled to compensation if you were a passenger in the at-fault boat, a helpless victim in the water, or in a boat that a negligent driver hit.

Find an attorney who specializes in personal injury lawsuits, and make sure that the person whose negligent behavior resulted in your catastrophic injury pays for what they’ve done to you and your family.

Why Choose Ross Feller Casey?

At Ross Feller Casey, our experienced personal injury attorneys know that negligent boating can turn an afternoon of summer fun into a nightmare, resulting in catastrophic injury or death in an instant. Our team of lawyers and doctors have extensive experience getting justice for injured people and their families, including those who have been victims of boating accidents.

Our record speaks for itself, with billions recovered for our clients over the years, including more than 75 $10 million-plus verdicts and settlements. Consultations are always free, including boating accident cases, and there’s never a fee unless you win your case. Contact us today, and we’ll do everything possible to get you the justice you and your family deserve.