Boating Accident Attorneys

Serving those injured in boating accidents

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Boating Accidents

Many boating accident injuries are through no fault of the victim and are often preventable. Boating accident injuries range in severity. Injuries often occur from collisions, capsized vessels, and falling overboard. 

Victims of boat accidents might face medical expenses, long-term pain, loss of income, and other damages. If you or someone you know is a boating accident victim, you may be able to seek compensation for your past losses and future damages.

Specific laws apply to boat accidents, and it’s crucial that an experienced attorney fight for you. The boat accident attorneys of Ramos Law Firm can help! Contact us for a free case evaluation.

National Boating Accident Statistics

The United States Coast Guard releases yearly recreational boating reports containing various statistics about accidents and fatalities. According to the 2020 report, common contributing factors to boating accidents include:

  • Operator inattention
  • Improper lookout
  • Operator inexperience
  • Alcohol use
  • Excessive speed
  • Navigation rules violation
  • Sharp turning
  • Improper loading or overloading
  • Machinery failure
  • Force of wave/wake
  • Hazardous waters
  • Weather
  • And more.

Other notable boating accident statistics from the 2020 report include:

  • 2020 saw 5,265 recreational boating accidents in the U.S. Of those, 3,191 were injuries and 767 involved deaths.
  • Recreational boating accidents resulted in approximately $46 million of property damage nationally.
  • 5.62% of recreational boating accidents involved alcohol.
  • Alcohol is the leading cause of fatal boating accidents, standing at 15%.
  • 77% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instructions.
  • The Coast Guard is not as confident regarding non-fatal accident statistics due to under-reporting (boaters are either unaware of reporting requirements or unwilling to report).

Casualties occur on many types of boats. The national report provides the following information on boat type and the number of casualties:

  • Open motorboat: 1,896
  • Personal watercraft: 962
  • Cabin motorboat: 331
  • Pontoon: 299
  • Canoe/kayak: 271

Boating Accident Attorneys

The boat wreck attorneys at Ramos Law Firm have been fighting for the rights of accident victims for nearly a quarter century, and they stand ready to fight for you. Joseph Ramos, emergency medical physician and attorney, and his team have the skills and experience to guide you through complex legal and medical processes.

If you suffered an injury in a boating accident, contact our accident lawyers today for a complimentary case evaluation.

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Boating Accident Frequently Asked Questions

After many years of working with those injured in boating accidents, we compiled a short list of common questions. We aim to help you better understand boating laws and what to do after an accident.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, federal law requires the recreational vessel owner or operator to contact state authorities and file an accident report if the collision resulted in any of the following:

  • A person dies
  • A person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid
  • A person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury
  • Damage to vessels and other property totals $2,000 (lower amounts in some states and territories)
  • The boat is destroyed

You must also follow specific timelines when reporting a boating accident. Contact state authorities if a person dies within 48 hours of the accident, is injured, requires medical attention besides first aid, or disappears beneath the vessel, possibly indicating severe injury or death. If earlier reporting isn’t needed, you must contact your state authority within 10 days of the occurrence or death.

Speak to an experienced boat accident attorney as soon as possible so they can review your case. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may be eligible for compensation because the boat operator may have neglected their responsibilities under the law by taking you out in bad weather.

We recommend contacting our personal injury attorneys in Colorado and Arizona immediately so they can review your case and begin their investigations as soon as possible. You should also file a report with the state authority if you haven’t already. You may be able to file a complaint against the operator of the other boat and get relief for injuries and medical bills.

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