Personal Injuries Due to Boating Accidents
Posted Friday, November 1, 2019 by Chris Thayer
The state of Washington enjoys beautiful views of the ocean, and many take to the water for recreation. However, the United States Coast Guard indicates that there were over 4,000 boating accidents in the United States last year, leading to thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths. If you were injured in a boating accident, knowing your rights can help you determine if you can receive compensation for your injuries.
*Federal Boating Laws*Washington state has enacted laws specific to the operation of water vessels and boats. However, in 1971, Congress passed the Federal Boat Safety Act. This federal law includes requirements for registration as well as navigational rules and regulations for boats. Depending on where your boating accident occurred, there also may be a chance that admiralty law may also apply. The laws regarding boating accidents in Washington state can be challenging to understand. Contacting an attorney who specializes in boating accidents and personal injury can help you determine which laws will apply in your case.
*Types of Boating Accidents *Coast Guard reports show that most boating accidents happen when operators have little to no formal boating instruction or safety training. Learning safety rules, taking formal instruction, and always wearing a life vest can help you possibly prevent an accident. However, the following are the most common causes of boating accidents on the waterways.
- Distracted boat operator
- Negligent, reckless, or careless boat operation
- Slippery boat deck
- Negligent maintenance of a boat
- No safety gear
- Inadequate safety gear
- Operation of a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Collision between boats or vessels
- Vessel or boat hits a wake or another boat’s wake
- Collision with an underwater object
- Overload of passengers
- Bad weather
- Boat operator has restricted vision
- Congested waterways
- Inexperience of boat operator
- Boat equipment failure
Unfortunately, many of these accidents are preventable. Twenty percent of all boating deaths include the use of alcohol.
*Proving Negligence*In order to prove negligence in a boating accident case, four elements must be met.
- Duty: A boat operator has a duty to operate a boat or vessel in a safe manner according to all state and federal laws and regulations.
- Breach of Duty: If the boat operator is negligent, reckless, or careless in any way during the operation of the boat that leads to an accident, they have breached that duty.
- Causation: The direct cause of your injuries must be due to the breach of duty from the other boat operator.
- Damages: You must have suffered actual damages.
*Contact a Boating Accident Lawyer*If you were involved in a boating accident in the state of Washington and suffered injuries, you may have the right to recover compensation. Depending on your case, you may have the right to receive monetary recovery for medical bills, lost wages, or even pain and suffering. Contact a boating accident lawyer that specializes in personal injury law at the Pivotal Law Group at 206-340-2008 or online today to learn your options and how we can help you build a strong case.