Boating and watercraft accidents are an all-too-common occurrence in southern California's waterways. They can be caused by operator inexperience, recklessness or carelessness, piloting a boat or watercraft while impaired by alcohol or drugs, skier or passenger behavior, equipment failure, or improper boat loading as well as countless other factors. |
The enjoyment of activities involving watercraft such as jet skis, wave runners, and wake boards has increased substantially in recent years, but these activities are not without risk. Over 5,000 boating and watercraft accidents occur on the water every year, and these accidents are responsible for numerous serious injuries and deaths. As a matter of fact, a person has a 1 in 7 chance of being killed in a boating or watercraft accident, which far exceeds the fatality risk in automobile accidents. |
On average, approximately 5,400 personal watercraft accidents occur each year, resulting in 2,200 injuries and over 72 deaths. Jet Skis make up a fraction - 6.5 percent - of boating vessels owned in the United States, but they're involved in a monstrous 55.6 percent of boat collisions and a disproportionate 32.8 percent of overall accidents. |
On the other hand, there are currently over 8,600 boat crashes every year, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, and these accidents leave over 900 people dead and more than 4,400 seriously injured. On an annual basis, over 600 boat crashes are caused by equipment failure, but far more accidents are due to operator negligence - inattention, careless or reckless operation, and fast speeds. |
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as a result of another person's negligent or reckless misconduct in causing a boating or watercraft accident, John Anderson Law can offer the experience and skill necessary to provide you with sound advice on how to protect your legal rights. |
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