BOATING ACCIDENT recovery LAW

Boating accidents are tragic and unfortunate events that can result in serious injuries or even fatalities. They can involve various types of vessels, including sailboats, motorboats, and personal watercraft such as jet skis. An understanding of the statistics, causes, and prevention methods related to boating accidents can help enhance safety on the water.

Incidence of Boating Accidents

The U.S. Coast Guard's 2019 Recreational Boating Statistics reported 4,168 accidents involving 613 deaths, 2,559 injuries, and approximately $55 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents (U.S. Coast Guard, 2020). The same report also indicated that in 2019, the fatality rate was 5.2 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, a slight decrease from the previous year's rate of 5.3. Of the casualties that year, 79% of fatal boating accident victims drowned, with 86% of those not wearing life jackets. Moreover, eight out of every ten boaters who drowned were using vessels less than 21 feet in length. The most common types of vessels involved in reported accidents were open motorboats (45%), personal watercraft (19%), and cabin motorboats (16%).

Injuries and Fatalities

The leading types of accidents were collision with another recreational vessel (937), collision with a fixed object (634), and grounding (469). Other types of accidents included falls overboard and capsizing.

According to the National Safe Boating Council, the five most common boating injuries are lacerations, fractures, contusions, sprains/strains, and concussions (National Safe Boating Council, 2020). Lacerations and fractures are often the result of collisions, while concussions usually occur from falls overboard or onboard, often caused by boat instability or slippery surfaces. The primary cause of deaths was drowning (79%), followed by trauma, hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other causes (U.S. Coast Guard, 2020). Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and alcohol use rank as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.

Jet Skis and Other Watercraft

Jet Skis and other personal watercraft, like Sea-Doos and WaveRunners, are also prominent in accident statistics. The U.S. Coast Guard's report indicates that these vehicles were involved in 19% of reported accidents in 2019. Due to their high speeds and often inexperienced operators, personal watercraft are associated with a high risk of injury. Specifically, the American Boating Association noted that, although personal watercraft account for only about 10% of registered vessels, they are involved in 30% of reported accidents and 36% of injuries (American Boating Association, 2020). This disproportionate representation underlines the danger these watercraft can pose if not operated responsibly and with adequate safety measures.

Prevention and Safety Measures

Many boating accidents are preventable and due to negligence. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, where the level of operator education was known, 70% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction (U.S. Coast Guard, 2020). This fact highlights the crucial role of education in preventing accidents. Wearing life jackets, abstaining from alcohol while boating, maintaining a proper lookout, operating at safe speeds, and ensuring that vessels are seaworthy and equipped with appropriate safety gear are all steps that can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents. For jet ski and other personal watercraft users, following manufacturer instructions, wearing appropriate personal floatation devices, keeping safe distances from other watercraft, and understanding the local boating laws can greatly enhance safety on the water.

Boating accidents are a serious concern, causing a significant number of injuries and fatalities each year. Improving boating safety requires understanding the risks and taking appropriate preventative measures. The disproportionate involvement of personal watercraft in accidents and injuries underlines the importance of safety education for all types of vessels.

Snable Stevenson & Silva Can Help You to Recover

The law firm of Snable Stevenson & Silva has successfully represented numerous clients who've suffered injuries resulting from boating accidents. Our team of attorneys possess deep legal knowledge, an unwavering commitment to our clients, and an aggressive approach to litigation that has resulted in substantial verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Extensive Knowledge of Personal Injury Law

Our injury attorneys have extensive experience in handling injury cases resulting from boating accidents and other types of injuries resulting from accidents on the water. We are skilled at assessing the damages, establishing the negligence of the responsible parties, and securing fair compensation for medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other damages related to boating accidents.

Thorough Investigation and Case Building

Our firm believes in the power of a thorough and detailed investigation. When a client approaches us with a boating accident injury, our first step is to gather all available evidence. This includes police and medical reports, photographs of the accident scene, witness testimonies, and any available video footage. Our team works with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and other experts to build a compelling case. Our thorough preparation allows us to present a case that clearly demonstrates the extent of the client’s injuries, the negligence of the responsible parties, and justification for the financial compensation our client deserves.

Vigorous Representation

The law firm of Snable Stevenson & Silva is known for vigorous representation of clients in and out of court. Our attorneys prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which often results in favorable settlements for our clients. In situations where a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are ready and able to take the case to court. Our history of securing successful verdicts demonstrates our ability to fight for our clients' interests aggressively and effectively.

Skilled Negotiation

While we prepare every case for trial, we also understand the importance of skilled negotiation. Many personal injury cases are settled outside of court, and this is where our attorneys' excellent negotiation skills come into play. We strive to obtain maximum compensation for our clients and won't accept lowball offers from insurance companies. We know how to present the facts of the case and the extent of the injuries in a way that pressures the insurance companies to offer fair settlements.

Compassionate and Client-Focused Approach

At Snable Stevenson & Silva, we place our clients at the center of everything we do. We understand that suffering a boating accident injury can be a traumatic and life-changing event. Our attorneys provide compassionate, one-on-one attention to each client, taking the time to understand their unique circumstances and needs. We keep our clients informed at every stage of the legal process and work tirelessly to alleviate their burdens and secure a favorable resolution to their case.

Snable Stevenson & Silva offers a combination of deep personal injury law knowledge, thorough investigation and case preparation, aggressive representation, skilled negotiation, and a client-centered approach. Our law firm is well-equipped to handle boating accident cases and help our clients obtain the justice and compensation they deserve. Whether you or your loved one has been injured in a boating accident, you can trust our firm to provide the effective legal representation you need.

Contact our Birmingham, Alabama Boat Accident Lawyers Today for Legal Help

Have you or a family member recently been involved in a boat accident on the water in Alabama? Contact Snable Stevenson & Silva for immediate legal assistance and advice. You may be able to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. Our qualified Alabama car accident lawyers can help you fight to secure a full and fair award.

We offer a free case evaluation and consultation. Contact our law office in Birmingham, Alabama to schedule yours today. If you can’t come to us, we can arrange a time to visit you. Consultations can be arranged at the hospital, your home, or even your place of business. There’s a limited amount of time to act, so give us a call to get started today.