Boating Accidents
If you have recently been involved in a boating accident and suffered an injury, or if someone close to you has been injured or killed in a boating accident, you may have the legal right to obtain compensation. Boating accidents may result in serious injuries or death. Serious injuries can permanently negatively impact the victim's health and lifestyle. If the accident was caused by driver error, someone's negligence, a road hazard, a design flaw or a manufacturing defect, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, loss of wages and other losses.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, in 2002 there were 5,705 reported boating accidents that resulted in 4,062 injuries and 750 deaths. Seventy percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned (524 out of 750). Nearly 85% of the victims who drowned were not wearing their personal floatation device (PFD or lifejacket). The most reported types of accidents are collisions with other vessels. However, capsizing and falls overboard are the most reported types of fatal accidents and account for over half (56%) of all boating fatalities. Overall, operator inattention, carelessness/reckless operation, operator inexperience, and excessive speed are the leading contributing factors of all reported accidents. Alcohol was involved in 39% of reported boating fatalities. | Year | Boating Accidents | Injuries | Fatalities | | 1992 | 6,048 | 3,683 | 816 | | 1993 | 6,335 | 3,559 | 800 | | 1994 | 6,906 | 4,084 | 784 | | 1995 | 8,019 | 4,141 | 829 | | 1996 | 8,026 | 4,442 | 709 | | 1997 | 8,047 | 4,555 | 821 | | 1998 | 8,061 | 4,612 | 815 | | 1999 | 7,931 | 4,315 | 734 | | 2000 | 7,740 | 4,355 | 701 | | 2001 | 6,419 | 4,274 | 681 | | 2002 | 5,705 | 4,062 | 750 | | Total | 79,237 | 46,082 | 8,440 |
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2002 there were over 267 work related water vehicle injuries and 71 fatalities.
| Year | Work Related Water Vehicle
Injuries & Fatalities | | Injuries | Fatalities | | 1992 | 301 | 109 | | 1993 | 288 | 119 | | 1994 | 261 | 94 | | 1995 | 326 | 87 | | 1996 | 357 | 119 | | 1997 | 350 | 109 | | 1998 | 378 | 112 | | 1999 | 416 | 102 | | 2000 | 361 | 84 | | 2001 | 225 | 90 | | 2002 | 267 | 71 | | Total | 3,530 | 1,096 |
Boating accident personal injury cases are usually complex and expensive. You should always consult a qualified, licensed lawyer. You may contact the sponsoring law firm to discuss the injury or schedule a free consultation. These personal injury cases are normally handled on a contingency basis. Typically there are no fees unless the lawyer obtains a settlement or award for you.
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