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Chapter 1: Steps to Take After a Boat Accident

Chapter 2: Examples of Boating Accidents

Chapter 3: Leading Causes of Deaths and Injuries from a Boating Accident

Chapter 4: Misconceptions About Boating Accidents

Chapter 5: Boating Laws and Regulations in Utah

Chapter 6: How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help With a Boat Accident?

 

Chapter 1: Steps to Take After a Boat Accident

During summertime in the U.S., the weather gets hot, and going to the lake for some boat rides is a loved and familiar activity. However, at Robert J. DeBry & Associates, we have a professional personal injury lawyer who has been educating our clients on the risks of boating. Therefore, if a boat accident occurs while on board, here are the steps to take.

 

Check Yourself and Other Passengers For Injuries

During an emergency, our adrenaline levels tend to be high and could cause an illusion in our well-being. When a boat accident occurs, be thorough in your examination for injuries. If anyone has suffered severe injuries, call for immediate medical attention.

 

Alert the Authorities about the Accident

At Robert J. DeBry & Associates, we are dedicated to ensuring your overall safety, including that of your passengers and property. Our injury lawyer recommends reporting the boat accident to the coast guards. This step is necessary for any possible liability questions arising later on and, most importantly, for insurance purposes.

 

Take Pictures and Gather Information

Document the accident by taking pictures of anything involved. Take photos of any injuries resulting from the accident while gathering contact information from the affected people. This includes addresses, names, and phone numbers. Gather the boating operator/owner’s registration and insurance information if another boat was involved.

 

Contact Your Insurance Provider

To make a claim, you must call your insurance provider immediately after the boat accident. It will help you adequately answer all your insurance provider’s questions regarding the accident.

 

Bottom Line

Like any other accident, boat accidents are common, especially in more crowded water bodies, the more reason you should be aware and careful of the risks. But if you follow the advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can receive the compensation and representation you deserve. Visit us at Utah’s Personal Injury Attorneys – Robert J. DeBry | Call 801-699-9999

 

Chapter 2: Examples of Boating Accidents

The number of boating accidents is on the rise. Hundreds of people die yearly from recreational boating accidents, and many sustain severe or fatal injuries. In 2021, the United States Coast Guard recorded 4,439 accidents and $67.5 million in property damages.

 

Unfortunately, a lack of knowledge about State Boating Laws that apply in the United States remains the leading cause of boating accidents. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer from Robert J. DeBry & Associates can help explore your legal options if you are involved in a boating accident.

 

Common Examples of Boating Accidents

The US Coast Guard recognizes many types of boating accidents that cause fatalities. The most common examples of boating accidents include the following:

 

Overboard Falls

Operators and passengers accidentally fall off the vessels. This boating accident is the most common cause of death.

 

Capsizing

Boats overturn due to collisions with obstacles and other vessels or powerful waves.

 

Collision With Objects

Boating accidents can occur after a collision with a fixed object in water or above the surface.

 

Collision With Other Vessels

Boats can crash into each other, especially during summers when most recreational boaters take to the water. Boat collisions remain the most common accident that causes injuries, ranging from mild to severe fatalities.

 

Sinking Boat

A boat can retain its buoyancy and float if it fills with water. Unfortunately, the ship can capsize and sink, causing injuries or death.

 

Fire Accident

A docked vessel or a boat on the water can explode or catch fire.

 

Chapter 3: Leading Causes of Deaths and Injuries from a Boating Accident

 

Operating a Craft While Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs

Did you know that alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in deadly boating accidents in the United States of America, where the primary cause was known? According to the data that Robert J. DeBry & Associates gathered from the U.S. Coast Guard, we have established that alcohol was listed as the number one factor in 18% of deaths.

 

Being Involved In a Collision

A collision can be with a fixed object or another vessel in a boating accident. Collision with a fixed object is a familiar accident and a leading cause of injuries and death. It often occurs when a boat crashes with an anchored object below or above the water’s surface.

Conversely, collision with another vessel often occurs when two or more ships collide. We confirmed through our Injury Lawyer that vessel collisions frequently result from faulty maintenance and operator inattention.

 

Falling Overboard

Falling overboard is among the most common causes of fatal boating accidents that often lead to severe injuries and deaths. Typically, falling overboard occurs when you are not wearing a lifejacket or PFD and accidentally fall off a vessel.

 

Bottom Line

Drowning is another leading cause of fatalities in boating accidents. According to the data we obtained from the 2020 Recreational Boating Statistics Report, our Injury Lawyer established that drowning contributed to death in 79% of all boating fatalities. And 86% of those who drowned were not wearing PFDs.

 

If you experienced a loss or accident, contact our injury lawyers today to help you through the legal process, so you have time to focus on what matters. Call Robert J. DeBry & Associates, Utah’s injury attorneys, at 801-888-8888 or visit debry2021stg.wpenginepowered.com

 

Chapter 4: Misconceptions About Boating Accidents

Boating is one of the people’s favorite pastimes, especially in the summer. However, at times, you or one of your family members can be a victim of boat accidents. Recreational boating is one of the leading causes of accidents in the United States. The US coastguard recorded 5,265 boating accidents that led to 767 people losing their lives. Getting into an accident over a recreational activity like boating is not beautiful, leaving the victim’s family in a sorry state. The one question on the members’ lips is whoever should take responsibility for the accident. A common misconception is that the injured party can not receive compensation for a boating accident. The good news is that it is possible to take legal action against the boat owner and have them compensate you for the damages they have caused.

 

Finding the right personal injury lawyer is sometimes an uphill task. However, at Robert J. DeBry and Associates, we are always available and ready to offer you professional advice on legal affairs. If you are a victim of a car accident, wrongful death, truck accident, or even boat accident, our injury lawyers will help you take legal actions against your perpetrators.

At Robert J. DeBry, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers is always on wait. If you are unsure if it is possible to take legal action, we are always ready to engage you and provide you with relevant advice on claiming compensation for wrongful deaths and personal injuries.

 

Chapter 5: Boating Laws and Regulations in Utah

 

For a state with an expansive stretch of desert, Utah is astonishingly among the states with the most outstanding waterways and lakes. Thus, as summer draws closer and temperatures rise gradually, most of its residents will start getting their boats back into the water. However, this period comes with unprecedented dangers, especially when boating. Therefore, it is crucial to consider a refresher course on the boating codes and regulations of the region. Refresher course, and the help from our Robert J. DeBry & Associates personal injury lawyer, will help you enjoy your summer accident-free. Below are some of the boating laws and regulations to observe in Utah:

 

Boating Registration

Due to the ever-increasing number of boat operators and owners, several laws are in place. The proper registration falls under the responsibility of the boat’s owner. Thus, any watercraft that transports people on the water should be numbered and registered. The owner should display the ships assigned on the front and sides. The registration certificate must be available for inspection.

 

Boating Operation

On the other hand, as our Robert J. DeBry & Associates personal injury lawyer will advise, there is an age-limiting law. Although, anyone over the age of 18 can operate a personal watercraft in Utah without restrictions. However, those between 12 and 17 years old should only use a personal watercraft upon completing a boater safety course by the Utah State Parks and certificate insurance as stipulated by Utah’s Boating Laws and Rules.

 

Boating Equipment Requirements

Boating is a fundamental aspect of boating in Utah. The law stipulates that any water resident should have insurance cover. Per your injury lawyer’s guidance, you should have operator liability insurance, especially on personal watercraft and motorboats with less than 50 horsepower engines. Proof of insurance must be on board when the ship is operational.

On the other hand, safety equipment such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, navigation lights, and a whistle or horn must be onboard. Additionally, every boat operator must observe the speed limits depending on the area.

 

Chapter 6: How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help With a Boat Accident?

 

The increased interest in boating as a leisure activity has also resulted in more boat-related accidents. You need to hire a credible personal injury lawyer to help you obtain solid compensation after a boat accident. A reliable attorney from Robert J. DeBry & Associates would assist you in avoiding critical mistakes that can make you lose the entire lawsuit.

Here is how a personal injury lawyer can help you with a boat accident;

 

Determine Liability in Your Boat Accident

Determining liability isn’t easy, and using the wrong part can make your boat accident lawsuit pointless. A personal injury lawyer determines who is liable through a thorough investigation.

An attorney would use the law of negligence to control your lawsuit. The law can be initiated from the boat operator to the manufacturer. Liability varies.

 

Prove Negligence

After determining who is answerable for your safety, a personal injury lawyer helps you prove that they neglected their duty of care. An attorney demonstrates that acts of recklessness or carelessness resulted in your injuries.

For instance, when a speeding motorboat crash into yours, you may get various blunt force traumas. A personal injury lawyer will examine contusions and bruises and compare them to the entire boat accident scenario. An attorney would use injuries from burns to show that the engine’s temperature was high due to excessive speed.

 

Prove Damages

A personal injury lawyer can help you add more damages apart from medical bills. You can be compensated for mental suffering since boat accidents can be traumatic. All hours spent healing from injuries need to be paid. A personal injury lawyer combines all these damages and presents a claim to the jury.

 

Where Can Someone Get a Reliable Personal Injury Lawyer?

You need a credible personal injury lawyer to get fair compensation. At Robert J. DeBry & Associates, we will help you get the appropriate justice. For inquiries, contact us via 801-888-8888.

 

Contact A Robert J. DeBry & Associates Accident Injury Lawyer

Legal intricacies around maritime law remain complex. As a result, seeking compensation from responsible parties in a boating injury claim is challenging if you do not know this admiralty law. It would help if you had a personal injury lawyer who understands laws, treaties, and conventions that govern nautical issues for legal counsel. Our specialized boat accident injury lawyers at Robert J. DeBry & Associates will provide you with the legal guidance a representation you need following a boating accident. Contact our experienced accident injury lawyer today at (801) 699-9999 for legal assistance.

 

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