Common Causes of Boating Accidents
San Diego sees far too many boating accidents. After experiencing a serious one, you may wonder who is liable for your injury. Often, in boating accidents, it is human negligence that is the culprit.
The most common causes of boating accidents that result in injuries are due to the boat operator: negligence, inexperience, alcohol impairment, driving the boat at dangerous speeds, and equipment failure.
Boat operator negligence
Negligence on the part of a boat operator is a principal cause of boating accidents in California.
San Diego can have unpredictable water currents that add to the challenges of operating a boat. There are also unseen objects below the water and other maritime vessels, both small and large, that can pose a danger. These are just a few of the possibly dangerous elements that confront a boat operator in the waters off the coast of San Diego, CA.
To avoid these many dangers that are present while at sea, a boat operator must stay alert to the boat position, speed, and weather conditions. It is thus crucial that a boat operator remain vigilant and attentive at all times.
Inexperienced boater
Accidents are more likely to occur when a boater is not familiar with the operation of the boat. Further, an inexperienced boater may not be familiar with ocean etiquette.
In the State of California, following the rules of the California Division of Boating and Waterways is a legal matter. Failure to follow their regulations could lead to an unpleasant encounter with the US Coast Guard. Worse yet, people could be injured.
Also, boaters with limited experience can easily be confused in bad weather. They could make navigational mistakes that, in turn, lead to injuries.
Dangerous speeds
Boating accidents can be much worse for people when they occur at high speeds. It can be considerably more difficult to avoid a crash or collision when traveling at an excessive speed.
On the other hand, when a boat is operated at a slower and safer speed, an accident that causes injury can be avoided.
Operating a boat while impaired by alcohol
Although passengers are permitted to drink alcohol, the boat operator must remain sober. Alcohol can impair an operator’s coordination, balance, and judgment. This is especially true if an unexpected situation were to occur suddenly.
An intoxicated boat operator could have a misstep and fall into the water. After falling overboard, he or she could have trouble returning to the boat, leaving passengers onboard adrift.
The ability to determine distance and speed is debilitated when a person is intoxicated. Also, when in a collision, being intoxicated could cause difficulties in locating a life preserver.
Equipment failure
Out in the open sea or away from land is not where you want to be when your boat equipment stops working, especially when the sea has become dangerous.
It is key to perform regular maintenance on the boat and its equipment, thus ensuring that it is functioning properly. To fail in performing regular maintenance is to invite problematic situations on the water.
The above factors are only some of the most common causes of boating accidents in our San Diego area. Your situation may be different than what is described above. Yet, if you believe you have a case, please contact a San Diego boat accident lawyer with our legal team.
Schedule a free consultation with us. Our personal injury attorneys can consider the circumstances of your accident and injury. We can help you decide the next legal step that is best for you.
Compensation For Boat Accident Injuries
Boats are designed and made to withstand the power of the sea and rough waters. Consequently, their strength and size, when in an accident, can cause severe injury.
Some of the most common injuries that a boat accident victim can seek compensation for include:
- Broken and fractured bones
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Injury to the spinal cord
Many other types of injuries can result from an accident on the water. If you have been injured, you should speak with our boating accident lawyers as soon as possible.
A San Diego, California, boating accident attorney at Harker Injury Law can assist you. We can help you attain the compensation you require for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
There may be other costs we can help you recover connected to your accident and injury as well. Contact our personal injury attorneys for more information and to schedule a free case consultation.
A Harker Injury Law San Diego Boating Accident Attorney Can Help You
When you are enjoying the excitement and fun of being on a boat, the last thing you may see coming is an injury. Yet, accidents from negligence can happen suddenly and leave people seriously injured.
If you have been injured in a boating accident, we want to help. To our injury lawyers, every case is important—no matter how small. There are specific challenges that come with each boating accident case, but an experienced lawyer can handle these effectively.
The boat accident attorneys at Harker Injury Law in San Diego, California, can and want to help you. Our personal injury attorneys are knowledgeable about these cases, and our team stands ready to get started 24/7. Above all, we want you to get the compensation you deserve.
Our injury lawyers understand that this is a difficult time for you as you recover. You need an attorney-client relationship that gives you peace of mind.
The San Diego boating accident lawyers with our legal team can relieve your stress knowing that you have the legal representation and assistance that your case demands. This is because our law firm cares about each of our clients.
Contact us to schedule a free case consultation with a personal injury attorney. You can also call us at 760-INJURED.
Boat Accidents
