Colorado
Boating Accident Attorneys

Serving Denver Metro, Boulder, Greeley, Steamboat Springs, Fort Collins and all of Colorado

Auto Accident Services

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 you. 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.

References:

[1] https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Boating/BoatingRegulations.pdf

[2] http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_26219145/boating-deaths-match-high-mark-colorado?source=infinite