Cruising around on a boat on a hot summer day can be a blast. However, a fun day can turn into a nightmare if there is an accident. Boating accidents can occur quite frequently during the summer months and cause many types of injuries, including broken bones, lacerations and traumatic brain injuries.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the common causes of boating accidents:
Inexperience
Operating a boat is quite different than operating a vehicle. Just because a person knows how to drive a car, does not mean he or she can operate a boat safely. It takes time and practice to acquire skills to operate a boat. An experienced operator may not always navigate the boat correctly or does not know how to recognize dangerous water conditions, which can increase the risk of accidents.
Speeding
Speeding in the water can be just as dangerous as speeding on the road. If an operator drives a boat at a high speed, he or she might not have any time to react if something unexpected happens. The operator might not be able to stop in time to avoid colliding with a boat or another object in the water. Boat operators should always follow the speed limit to avoid accidents.
Crowded Waters
In the summertime, there will likely be many water crafts, including speed boats, canoes and fishing boats, on the waterways. The more crowded these waters are, the more likely there are to be accidents.
Distractions
More and more boat accidents these days are caused by distractions. If boat operators are busy texting on their smartphones or talking to their passengers, they won’t be able to focus on navigating the boat. They may be more likely to collide with other boats or veer off course, putting their passengers in danger. It is important for boat operators to keep their eyes and attention on the waters ahead to reduce the risk of accidents.
Bad Weather
It is extremely dangerous to go out on a boat when there are bad weather conditions ahead. If there is a big storm, the operator may have trouble controlling the boat and may not be able to see ahead. It’s important for boat operators to recognize when storms are approaching so that they can get to land as soon as possible.
Consulting with a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were recently injured in a boating accident, you may want to speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer. If the accident was caused by a boat operator’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. That compensation can be used to pay for your medical bills, lost wages and other damages that resulted from the accident. You deserve justice for what happened.
Most personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations, so there is no risk to talking to one. Schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer Longwood, FL trusts today to get your case moving in the right direction.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at David & Philpot, P.L. for their insight into personal injury cases.