In 2015, the United States Coast Guard counted 4,158 boat accidents that involved 626 deaths, 2,613 injuries and approximately $42 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents https://www.uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2015.pdf
Boating accidents are governed by federal, state and local laws. There are also laws for BUI, or boating under the influence. http://www.ndow.org/boat/boating_safety/pfds/
Boating Accident? Retain Legal Counsel Immediately.
If you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident, legal analysis can be complex and counsel should be retained immediately. It is important to contact legal counsel to understand your rights and causes of action under the law. You may be entitled to money damages and compensation for medical bills if you have been injured as a boating accident.
Call the Law Offices of Laura Payne,Esq., Your Boat Accident Attorney
702-450-4868
The Law Offices of Laura Payne,Esq. has experience in helping the victims of boating accidents recover for injuries sustained. We offer respectful representation to ensure people and their families are compensated for their losses.
Please contact the Law Offices of Laura Payne,Esq. to discuss your rights if you have been injured in a boating accident. We can help you obtain quality medical care, preserve the evidence, help with any bills you have already incurred and assist with Family Medical Leave is time off work is necessary. https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/1421.htm
We have been helping injured people fight insurance companies for over a decade and The Law Offices of Laura Payne,Esq. will provide you with compassionate, personal and experienced legal representation.
Boating Injury facts:
- The fatality rate was 5.3 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels in 2015.
- This rate represents a 1.9% increase from 2014’s fatality rate of 5.2 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels
- Compared to 2014, the number of accidents increased 2.3%, the number of deaths increased 2.6%, and the number of injuries decreased 2.4%.
- Where cause of death was known, 76% of fatal boating accident victims drowned.
- Of those drowning victims, 85% were not wearing a life jacket.
- Where instruction was known, 71% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction.
- Only 15% percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received a nationally-approved boating safety education certificate.
- Eight out of every ten boaters who drowned were using vessels less than 21 feet in length.
- Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; where the primary cause was known, it was listed as the leading factor in 17% of deaths.
- Where data was known, the vessel types with the highest percentage of deaths were open motorboats (46%), kayaks (12%), and canoes (11%).
- Twenty-two children under age thirteen lost their lives while boating in 2015. Twelve children (55%) died from drowning. Two children (17%) of those who drowned were wearing a life jacket; half of the remaining ten children who were not wearing a life jacket were not required to do so under State law
Have You or a Loved One Been In a Boating Accident?
Call the Law Offices of Laura Payne,Esq., Your Boat Accident Attorney
702-450-4868
High Rate of Boating Accidents on Lake Mead
Unfortunately, Nevada has a high rate of boating accidents. In 2015 it was reported that Nevada was ranked in the top states for boating accidents with most of those accidents happening at Lake Mead. It also leads the national park system in fatalities.
Lake Mead is an extremely popular recreation area. Its natural beauty and warm climate make it an inviting destination to enjoy boating activities. With an average of 10 million visitors annually, this is the busiest national recreation area in the country, centering on the nation’s largest man made lake.
Causes of Boating Accidents
There a many causes of boating accidents as the following chart indicates:
https://www.uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2015.pdf
Have You or a Loved One Been In a Boating Accident?
Call the Law Offices of Laura Payne,Esq., Your Boat Accident Lawyer
702-450-4868
Boating Safety Best Practices
Life Jackets: At the Law Offices of Law Payne,Esq., we urge all boaters to wear life jackets and protect children by ensuring they are wearing properly fitting life jackets at all time. All children under 13 years of age are required to wear lifejackets while boating in Nevada. http://www.ndow.org/Boat/Boating_Safety/
Safety Equipment: Owners of recreational watercraft must be sure their boat carries the mandatory safety equipment and is compatible with state and federal laws. As part of this compliance, boats must be registered, they must meet certain equipment requirements including having lifejackets, visual distress signals, fire extinguishers, proper ventilation, back fire flame controls, sound producing devices, and navigation lights.
Safe Operating Procedures: They must also follow operating procedures including following navigation laws, and all state and federal laws. http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-488.html#NRS488Sec193
Official Nevada Boating Safety Course
At the Law Offices of Laura Payne,Esq., we also urge boat operators to take the free Official Nevada Boating Safety Coarse online at https://www.boat-ed.com/nevada. Statistics show that over 70% of fatalities occurred on boats operated by untrained people. We believe that keeping your loved ones safe is the top priority.
Have You or a Loved One Been In a Boating Accident?
Call the Law Offices of Laura Payne,Esq., Your Boat Accident Attorney
702-450-4868
For more information on boating accidents go to
http://uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2015.pdf