Injured boat passengers should know their rights, duties, and obligations before purchasing their boarding tickets. For example, did you know that 11 million recreational boats are registered in the United States, causing thousands of deaths and injuries at sea annually? Boat accident numbers will steadily rise, with more boats and trips out to sea, despite mandatory safety and training courses for boaters. Our boating accident law firm will help you understand the law and your rights during every step of your claim.
What Questions Do People Ask Most Frequently About Los Angeles Boating Accidents?
First off, Los Angeles boating accidents occur in County waterways each year. Los Angeles recreational boating accident attorney, Michael Ehline, attempts to answer your most frequent questions about boat accidents in Los Angeles.
Here are some frequently asked questions about boat accidents in Los Angeles:
Q: What is a boat accident?
A: A boat accident is any event involving a watercraft that results in damage, injury, or death. Boat accidents can occur on lakes, rivers, and oceans and may involve any type of watercraft, including sailboats, motorboats, jet skis, and kayaks.
Q: What causes boat accidents?
A: Boat accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including operator error, mechanical failure, weather conditions, and other external factors. Common causes of boat accidents include speeding, reckless operation, intoxication, and failure to follow safety regulations.
Q: What should I do if I’m involved in a boat accident?
A: If you’re involved in a boat accident, the first priority is to ensure the safety of all involved parties. If anyone is injured, seek medical attention immediately. Contact the local authorities to report the accident and exchange contact and insurance information with any other involved parties. It’s also important to document the scene of the accident, including taking photos and getting witness statements.
Q: Who is liable for a boat accident?
A: Liability for a boat accident can vary depending on the circumstances of the accident. In many cases, the operator of the watercraft may be liable for any damages or injuries resulting from the accident. However, liability may also extend to the manufacturer of the boat or any other parties involved in the operation or maintenance of the watercraft.
Q: Can I recover compensation for a boat accident?
A: If you’ve been injured in a boat accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. To recover compensation, you will need to prove that another party was responsible for the accident and that their negligence or recklessness caused your injuries.
If you have additional questions or need legal assistance after a boat accident in Los Angeles, don’t hesitate to contact a qualified boat accident attorney. They can provide the guidance and representation you need to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
Q: What Causes Death At Sea More Than Anything?
According to the United States Coast Guard, Passengers drowning from failing to wear their life vests remains the number one reason for civilian deaths at sea.
- 83% of passenger drownings were caused by drowning victims failing to dawn their life jacket
Passengers would not have required a life jacket, to begin with, if the vessel operated had behaved reasonably during vessel operations, including presenting a pre-voyage passenger safety briefing, and inviting and answering their passenger’s questions.
Q: How Many People Die In U.S. Boating Accidents Yearly?
According to the United States Coast Guard statistics, there are approximately 1,000 fatalities per year in boating accidents.
Q: What Los Angeles Boating Accident Types Cause the Most Fatalities?
A: Deaths caused during water accidents in Los Angeles mostly happen during:
- Boating collisions (Ex: colliding with floating, fixed, or submerged objects like a person in the water or a buoy),
- Capsizing, grounding, sinking, or swamping,
- Drowning after slipping and falling overboard,
- Carbon monoxide poisoning,
- Injuries from being sliced open by boat propellers,
- Men were falling overboard from hull failure, high waves, surf, etc.,
- Jet ski accidents.
A: You Can No Doubt Follow Safety Procedures To Avoid Boating Accidents As Follows:
- Wear an appropriately sized approved life jacket. (Capsizing and people falling overboard result in more than 50% of United States boat occupant deaths).
- Do a vessel safety check.
- Never operate a boat or watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
Q: Boat Operators cause what Percentages Of Boat Accidents?
A: According to Coast Guard statistics, almost 70% of boating accidents were from vessel operator mistakes, errors, or negligence.
A: Yes, every boater should know carbon monoxide poisoning on boats is a leading cause of boat-related injury and death.
Death by asphyxiation or from toxic fume poisoning can stem from:
- Gasoline-powered engines,
- Inadequate ventilation and machinery failure,
- A person’s proximity to the engine exhaust,
- The boat air conditioning system failed during operations.
Q: What Is A Personal Watercraft?
A: the personal watercraft outlined by the U.S. Coast Guard are water vessels that are inboard boats. In other words, this craft uses an inboard-mounted water jet, and pump propulsion system, driving seated, standing, or kneeling occupants forward during use. (e.g., a jet ski type of watercraft). These watercraft operators must legally follow the same laws and requirements as larger propeller-powered watercraft like motorboats, tri-hulls, catamarans, cruise ships, sailboats, Boston Whalers, and other vessel types.
Q: How Popular Are Personal Watercraft Machines?
A: Experts estimate at least 1 million personal watercraft remain in the United States, making them quite popular with those who can afford these expensive adult toys.
Q: How Many Personal Watercraft Accidents Occur Yearly?
A: Each year in the U.S., approximately 5,000 personal watercraft accidents occur, causing people more than 2,000 injuries and about 100 deaths. Families and decedent’s survivors may consider bringing a money damages wrongful death claim or lawsuit against those responsible parties for causing their tragedy.
A: Yes, as soon as you can do so after your boating-related mishap, you must communicate with legal experts like the advocates working at the Los Angeles Ehline Law Firm boating accident attorney. These lawyers will represent you, protecting your legal rights after evaluating your case, and you hire us.
Our world-famous staff and assistants will also go over your options, explaining everything in laymen’s terms, inviting your questions ad addressing each one. Last, our top-notch sea lawyers will protect the relevant statutes of limitations, including government and privately agreed periods shorter than allowed in regular personal injury lawsuits. When you or your less experienced law firm fails to take these steps, courts will prevent you from receiving any compensation, let alone full and fair payment.
So for you, contacting a boat accident attorney as soon as possible after your mishap will be imperative.
Q: What Are Some Common Factors Causing Los Angeles Boating Accidents?
A: By and large, common elements exist in Los Angeles boating accidents:
- Alcohol consumption
- The Negligent operation
- Reckless operation
- Excessive speed
- Inattention by the boat operator
- Inexperienced boat operator
- Boat equipment failure
- Boat engine failure
- Hazardous water conditions
- Hazardous weather conditions
- Restricted vision.
Q: Does the Law Require Boating Accident Reports?
A: Boaters are required to report a boating accident when:
- A human dies,
- A disappears, likely meaning they died at sea,
- A victim suffers injuries requiring medical treatment,
- A boat or other property receives damage amounting to more than $500,
- An insurer or regulatory authority finds the boat to be a total vessel loss. (Ex: capsized sea-craft).
Did you or your family members suffer a boating accident injury in Los Angeles waters? If you suffered harm at sea, please get in touch with our phenomenal California personal injury lawyers today. You can protect your legal rights by calling our 24-hour injury hotline at (213) 596-9642 or by filling out our below online contact form to receive faster service from a dedicated, Southern California-based severe injury law firm. We will come to you anywhere in California, with local locations near you and local courts.
Here are some additional answers to frequently asked questions:
