Blog

Boating Accidents Are on the Rise: Learn About the Top 5 Most Common Causes

In California, boating enthusiasts take out their rigs year-round. The more people are on their boats on any given day, the greater the chance there is for a boating or drowning accident. One of the best ways to combat these accidents is to understand what causes them. Today we will share the top five causes of boating accidents.

If you or a loved one has suffered in this type of accident or another type of drowning accident, reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation with a personal injury attorney.

  1. The boat operator is inattentive
  2. In order to safely operate a boat, a great deal of attention is required. The operator must deal with issues like high traffic water areas, loud music, numerous passengers, and other distractions. They must be able to handle all of this while still operating safely. This can be a challenge for anyone but is especially challenging for an operator who is not offering their full attention to the task. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, more than 500 boat accidents happen each year due to inattentive operators.

  3. The operator is not experienced
  4. Until recently, anyone who was at least 16 years old could operate a boat. There were no training or licensing requirements involved. Today, training requirements do exist but they are still relatively minimal. It is still all too common for an inexperienced operator to be on the waterway. The U.S. Coast Guard says that in the year 2015 alone, more than 450 accidents were the result of operator inexperience, which resulted in 280 injuries and 37 deaths.

  5. Inadequate lookout
  6. It is required that all vessels have a proper lookout at all times. This is even more important when a person is boating in a high traffic area or if visibility is limited. There were more than 400 accidents in 2015 that resulted from not having a lookout.

  7. Machine failure
  8. Boats have many working parts. As a result, there is a relatively high failure rate for boat parts and equipment. This can be caused by corrosion or age, or a product defect. According to the Coast Guard, this was the cause of more than 300 accidents in 2015, which resulted in 17 deaths and 134 injuries.

  9. Speeding
  10. Boat operators are required to stay within a speed range that is appropriate for their conditions. Factors that can affect how fast a boat can safely go include the weather, traffic, hazards, and the experience of the operator. More than 300 boating accidents in 2015 were the result of speeding, which led to 280 injuries and 18 deaths.

If you have been involved in a boating accident and were injured, then you may have ground for a personal injury lawsuit. Contact an attorney now for a free legal consultation. You can find Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas by calling 909-982-0707.