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ChatWe are fortunate to have premier boating locations like Block Island, Nantucket, and Potters Cove in our own Rhode Island and Massachusetts communities. Whether you, your dad, your friend or family member, or a professional is the captain of the boat you plan to board this Father’s Day Weekend, everyone should educate themselves on boating accidents. As an Ocean City citizen myself, today’s blog highlights five boating accident facts we should all know to help us spot potentially unsafe conditions and ultimately prevent boating accidents this Father’s Day Weekend.
The top five types of boating accidents are:
- Collisions with other recreational vessels
- Collisions with fixed objects
- Flooding/swamping
- Grounding
- Falling overboard
To prevent these accidents from happening, know your role on the boat. If you are not the captain, listen to the captain’s orders. And finally, if you see something, say something. Do not assume the captain and crew see every obstacle.
The leading contributing factors in boating accidents are:
- Operator inattention
- Operator inexperience
- Improper lookout
- Machine failure
- Excessive speed
Additionally, the 6th most common contributing factor of boating accidents in 2021 was alcohol use. However, alcohol use was the number one contributing factor of boating accident fatalities that year.
This Father’s Day Weekend, we want you, the father figures in your life, and everyone else you plan to boat with to be safe. While day boating on a clear day with family seems inherently safe, things can quickly go wrong when alcohol is involved. Please make sure that your captain does not drink and drive.
Make sure “Captain Dad,” or whoever is the captain, remains sober and focused on the water. If you fear that your captain is not experienced enough to navigate the watercraft on their own, do not be afraid to ask about their boating courses and education, and challenge them to consider finding a more experienced person to captain. However, some accidents, like machine failure, are nearly impossible to avoid. This is why it is important to listen to your captain’s orders! And call Bottaro Injury Lawyers to determine what company was at fault for your injuries.
The most common injuries associated with boating accidents are:
- Drowning
- Brain injury
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injury
- Bone fractures
- Burns
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic amputations
In the boating accident cases we handle, we typically look to recover settlements from liability insurance. If you have been injured in a boating accident, call us so we can assess the value of your claim.
Wearing a Personal Flotation Device Increases Your Chance of Surviving a Boating Accident
In both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, only certain passengers are required to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs). However, the United States Coast Guard estimates that 80% of fatalities could have been prevented had victims been wearing life jackets. Additionally, the Coast Guard recommends that all boaters wear a PFD, take a boating safety course, attach the engine cut-off switch, get a free vessel safety check, and boat sober.
Even if you do not follow all Coast Guard’s recommendations, you may still recover for your injuries. Call us now to help you navigate your case.
On average, those who hire experienced attorneys to handle their personal injury claims, like boating accidents, see a three-times higher payout than those who do not.
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we have handled all kinds of boating accident cases. You need an expert personal injury law firm on your side to collect and make sense of evidence, negotiate with insurance adjustors, and evaluate the value of your case, among other things. It is our job to get you the payout you deserve.
I hope that these five facts keep you on the lookout while boating this summer. Remember, see something, say something! We at Bottaro Injury Lawyers hope you have a safe and fun Father’s Day Weekend this year!
It’s Good to Know Mike Bottaro – 24/7 Top-Rated Personal Injury Help
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we care for people. Attorney Mike Bottaro and his award-winning legal team handle all types of personal injury cases, including boating accidents, throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We can even help on cases in other states as well. We pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity, and results. Contact us 24/7 in any method you prefer for a fast, free, and confidential consultation about your case. Feel free to text or call us at 401-777-7777, or fill out our free and confidential online form. We are here to serve and help you!
