Common Causes of Boating Accidents
If you have been injured in a boating accident, you may face a lengthy and complex legal process before you can recover any financial compensation for your injuries. The experienced Vancouver boat accident attorneys at Schauermann Thayer Injury Law relish the difficult cases, so we can fight for our clients.
You would need to prove that someone else was negligent before you can be in a position to settle your case or be awarded money by a jury. Your boating accident lawyer would gather evidence that could show that someone else was to blame for the boating accident.
Message or call the diligent Vancouver boat accident attorneys at Schauermann Thayer to discuss your case and begin the legal process. Our attorneys come to work every day to help injured clients like you, and we will not rest until we have done everything possible to get you the most possible compensation for your injuries.
Safety Is Vital When Operating a Boat in Washington
There are over 200,000 vessels registered in Washington State. Many of these are personal watercraft that owners take onto the lakes and waterways of the state. Boating safety is paramount when going out on the water, so the day remains enjoyable and safe. Unfortunately, not everyone takes the appropriate amount of care. Whether it is other boat owners, operators, or others who play crucial roles in water safety, some may be negligent and cause you injuries. When that happens, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. In the meantime, here are some of the common causes of boating accidents in Washington.
Alcohol
Alcohol use is one of the most common causes of boating accidents. Drunk boating is
the leading cause of fatalities on the water, being responsible for one-third of fatal accidents. Groups out on the water invariably bring a cooler of alcohol or have a fully stocked bar on board the boat. Operators should never drink alcohol under any circumstances. Operating a boat can be even more challenging than driving a car. Even one drink can take away an operator’s reflexes and impair their judgment. Drinking also causes an operator to take more risks than they otherwise would have.
Operator Inexperience
Boaters are required to take a boater safety course before they can get a license to operate a boat. However, they do not necessarily have much, if any, time on the water before they can become licensed. It takes a certain amount of experience to safely operate a boat and respond to challenges on the water. Younger or less experienced boaters may not have the skill necessary to safely navigate the water. Boater safety courses can only go so far, and they are not a replacement for actual experience behind the wheel of a vessel.
Excessive Speed
There are posted speed limits for boats in the harbors and near marinas, since that is where there is heavier traffic. Even on the open water, operators should watch their speed. Otherwise, they may crash into other boats or capsize their own vessel. Boats that are speeding can flip over when they end up in the wake of another boat. Accidents become much more serious when a boat is traveling at a high speed. Operators have much less margin for error when they are traveling at a high rate of speed.
Malfunctioning Boats
The boat itself can cause an accident. The owner is obligated to inspect and maintain the boat in seaworthy condition. Owners can cut corners, and the boat could suffer a mechanical issue when it is out on the water. Alternatively, the boat itself could be defective. A part could fail at a critical moment, leading to a boating accident. If a defective boat caused the accident, you could sue the manufacturer or seller in a product liability lawsuit. The defendant could be strictly liable when you prove that the boat was defective.
Tips for Boating Safety
There are things that you can do to ensure that you have a safer day on the water, including:
- Wearing a lifejacket at all times when on the water, even when it is not required by law
- Boating defensively at all times and keeping a safe distance between you and other boaters
- Never drinking at all when operating a boat
- Maintaining a safe speed and observing all posted speed limits
- Always check the weather before you go out on the water and return to shore if the weather looks threatening
- Properly inspect your boat and take your vessel for all required maintenance
If you fail to exercise proper boating safety, you may end up being blamed for an accident, and you could not obtain financial compensation for your injuries. Moreover, you could put your life, and those of your passengers, in danger.
Contact a Washington Boating Accident Lawyer Today
If your boating accident injuries were someone else’s fault, the boating accident attorneys at Schauermann Thayer are just a phone call away. Our Vancouver boating accident law firm has been fighting for the rights of accident victims for nearly four decades. Call us today at 360-818-2725 or send us a message online to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our boat accident lawyers.
Sources:
https://parks.wa.gov/about/rules-and-safety/boater-education-safety/boater-education-card
https://americanboating.org/safety_safe_speed_boat_handling.asp
