Most boating accidents due to:
- Boating while under the influence of alcohol
- Excessive speed
- Machinery failure
- No proper lookout
- Operator inattention
- Carelessness
The results from these accidents can be a variety of injuries, drowning or wrongful death.
For children, drowning is the leading cause of death while boating.
Overall, two-thirds of boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 90 percent did not wear a life jacket.
Federal law (33 CFR Part 173; Subpart C-Casualty and Accident Reporting) requires that victims of boating accidents file a report with the nearest state boating authority. Boating accidents should be reported within 48 hours in the event that:
- A death occurs within 24 hours of the accident
- An injury results that requires medical treatment beyond first aid
- A person disappears from a vessel under circumstances that point to death or injury
- Damage to vessel results in more than $2000.00 worth of damage or in a total loss.
According to the Arizona Game and Fish department, the event of a boating accident obliges a watercraft operator to perform the following actions:
- The operator of any watercraft involved in an incident resulting in injury or property damage must immediately stop the watercraft, offer his or her name and address, and the name and address of the watercraft's owner, to the injured party.
- The operator of watercraft involved in a boating accident must render reasonable assistance and report the boating accident to the nearest law enforcement agency.
- The operator must file a report directly to the Arizona Game and Fish department within 48 hours if the injury resulted in a fatality.
If the boating accident resulted in any injury beyond first aid or property damage of more than $500.00 then the operator must file a report with the department within five days.
Read www.azcentral.com article about how
Arizona ranks poorly for boating safety.
If you or someone you care about is injured in a boating accident, talk to an attorney to determine if there is reason for you to seek compensation for your injuries.
