Boat riding is a recreational activity you can enjoy with your loved ones. This leisure activity, however, can be risky. In 2022, 2,222 people were injured in boating accidents, and 636 people died in the U.S.
In Florida, 93 boat accidents were recorded in 2023. Recently, in Miami, three people were injured after a boat collided with a concrete channel marker outside of Homestead. In Georgia, the Army Corps of Engineers and Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources officers discovered four drownings and five boating deaths while patrolling on Memorial Day of 2022.
These incidents serve as reminders of the potential dangers associated with boating. All that being said, we’ll discuss the causes of boating accidents as well as injuries and share how you can recover damages when things go wrong on the waterways.
Common Causes of Boat Accidents
Boating accidents occur due to several reasons. We’ll discuss a few common ones here:
1. Alcohol Impairment
Driving under the influence of alcohol can result in fatal boat accidents. Alcohol accounted for 16% of total fatalities—88 deaths—in 2022, reveals a recent survey. This makes it a significant contributor to fatal boat accidents.
Alcohol affects coordination, judgment, and reaction time, as well as decision-making abilities significantly. Intoxicated boaters, thus, struggle to perceive and assess threats appropriately, operate the vessel safely, and respond quickly to changing conditions. Using alcohol endangers not just the life of the boater, but also the passengers and other water users.
2. Excessive Speed
Much like vehicles, driving boats at higher speeds can result in catastrophic accidents. Per the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2022 Recreational Boating Statistics report, excessive speeding is the fourth-most common cause of boat accidents.
When operating a boat at excessive speeds, the ability to react to obstacles or changing conditions is severely compromised. The possibility of colliding with other vessels, submerged objects, or even the wake from passing boats is high. That, in turn, increases the potential for injury or damage.
Excessive speeding can also make it challenging to maneuver the boat safely, especially in narrow waterways or during turns. The force generated by high speeds can potentially cause a loss of control, which may lead to the boat capsizing or ejecting its occupants.
3. Operator Inexperience
Accidents also occur when the boat operator lacks experience to operate the vessel. Novice sailors, due to a lack of experience, are more likely to cause accidents than experienced ones.
Lack of familiarity with proper boat handling techniques, navigation rules, and emergency procedures can lead to hazardous situations on the water. Novice boaters also struggle to interpret navigational aids, navigate congested waterways, or respond effectively to changing conditions. Their lack of experience results in errors in judgment and decision-making.
4. Hazardous Weather Conditions
Hazardous weather conditions, such as high winds, sudden storms, and rough seas, pose a serious threat to boaters.
High winds, for instance, create choppy waves and rough seas, which make it difficult for boaters to navigate. They also increase the likelihood of capsizing or swamping. Lightning strikes are a direct threat to boaters, as they can sink the vessel. Heavy rains, on the other hand, impair visibility and make it difficult for boaters to navigate safely.
Common Boat Accident Injuries
Different kinds of boat accidents result in different types of injuries. However, some common injuries that occur due to a boat accident are:
- Traumatic amputations
- Soft tissue damage
- Burns
- Bone fractures
- Spinal cord injury
- Whiplash
- Brain injury
- Drowning
What is Your Legal Option After a Boat Accident?
If you were operating or riding on a boat and another boater crashed onto your vessel, you can seek compensation. Likewise, if you were a passenger on a boat and a collision occurred due to the boat operator, you can file a personal injury lawsuit and recover damages from the boat operator’s liability insurer.
Case in point—the boat accident that occurred in Georgia lake. According to a recent Yahoo publication, two men were hospitalized after a boat accident on Lake Burton. The boat collided with a sea wall on Burton Island. The two men were hospitalized right away; however, thankfully, they didn’t suffer life-threatening injuries.
Had you been injured in such a boat accident in any city in Georgia, say Atlanta, you would end up paying huge medical bills. That would take a toll on your finances. Instead, you can file a personal injury lawsuit and claim compensation from the at-fault party.
A personal injury lawyer in Atlanta will establish a link between your injury as well as the accident, helping you secure fair compensation. Besides medical, your lawyer will help you recover wages lost due to the accident. They will also help you seek compensation for emotional distress.
The cost of hiring a lawyer often tempts people to navigate their personal injury claims themselves. But you shouldn’t do that. Many lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This fee, Atlanta Personal Injury Law Firm explains, ranges from 30% to 40%. Lawyers receive this fee only when compensation is recovered. Thus, it would be wise to hire a lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis.
In conclusion, there are several causes of boating accidents. The primary contributors include alcohol impairment, excessive speeding, operator inexperience, and hazardous weather conditions. Education, training, and responsible behavior are essential in mitigating these risks.
Boaters should prioritize safety by gaining experience and abstaining from alcohol consumption while operating vessels. Adhering to speed limits and staying informed about weather conditions can further prevent accidents.
On the other hand, if you become a victim of a boating accident, it’s essential to consult with legal experts. But before that, seek medical attention so that you’ll have sufficient evidence to prove your claims.
