Boating
Accidents
Many injuries from boat accidents are through no fault of the victim and often could have been prevented. Boating accident injuries can range from minor to the most serious, and even death. Injuries often occur as a result of collisions, capsized vessels, and falling overboard. Victims of boat accidents may be faced with medical expenses, long-term pain, loss of income, and other damages. If you or someone you know is a victim of a boating accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your past losses and future damages.
Specific laws apply to boat accidents and it is crucial to have an experienced boat accident attorney fight for you. The Colorado boat accident attorneys at The Ramos Law Firm can help! Contact us or complete this form for a free case evaluation.
National Boating Accident Statistics
Statistics below gathered from a 2017 recreational boating report from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Common contributing factors of boating accidents are:
- 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
National total – 4,291 recreational boating accidents in 2017. Of those, 2,629 were injuries and 658 involved deaths.
Property damage – Recreational boating accidents resulted in approximately $46 million dollars of property damage nationally
Total national boating accidents – 11 percent involved alcohol
Alcohol is the leading cause of fatal boating accidents, standing at 19 percent
National fatalities – When instruction was known, 81 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction
Non-fatal accidents – The Coast Guard is not as confident in the reporting, due to them being severely under-reported (because boaters are either unaware of reporting requirements or they are unwilling to report)
The national report stated that boating casualties include deaths and injuries. The types of boats with the most casualties and the number of casualties for each are:
- Open motorboat: 1672
- Personal watercraft: 670
- Cabin motorboat: 256
- Canoe/kayak: 245
- Pontoon: 166
Colorado Boating Accident
Frequently Asked Questions
After so many years working with those who have been injured in Colorado boating accidents, we have compiled a short list of the most common questions to better help you understand boating laws and what to do after an accident.
I was in a small collision and didn’t contact the authorities. Should I have?
Colorado law requires that you contact Parks & Wildlife if the accident caused an injury that required more than first-aid, or if the accident causes more than $500 in damage, and someone involved in the accident is suspected to have disappeared or died. Federal law requires that you report any accident that involves serious injury, disappearance, or death, or one that involved $2,000 or more of property damage, within 48 hours.
I was in a boat in bad weather and it capsized and I was injured. Can I sue the operator of the boat for my injuries?
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 for your injuries because the boat operator may have neglected their responsibilities under the law by taking you out in bad weather.
My family was in a boat collision and we believe the operator of the other boat was drunk. What should we do?
We recommend that you contact your attorney immediately so they can review your case and begin their investigations as soon as possible. You should also file a report with the Division of Parks & Wildlife if you haven’t already. You may be able to file a complaint against the operator of the other boat and get relief for your injuries and medical bills.
Have You Been Injured in a
Colorado Boating Accident?
The Colorado boat wreck attorneys at The Ramos Law Firm have been fighting for the rights of accident victims for nearly a quarter century and they stand ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Emergency medical physician and attorney Joseph Ramos and the car accident team at the Ramos Law Firm have the skills and experience to guide you through complex legal and medical processes.
If you have been hurt in a Colorado boating accident (303) 733-6365 to speak to one of our accident lawyers today for a complimentary case evaluation.
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