Boats and other watercraft offer fantastic opportunities for warm-weather recreation, but they also have high potential for dangerous accidents, particularly when operators and passengers are negligent or reckless. Whether your watercraft is small or large, wind or motor powered, a jet ski or Ski-Doo, or anything that moves on the water, the risk for life-altering injuries and costly damage is significant.
At Holland Injury Law, LLC, we represent boat accident victims as they pursue fair compensation for their injuries. We’ve seen how quickly a wonderful day in the sun can turn into tragedy, and we want to help you protect your safety and your rights. To do that, it’s crucial to know some common causes of watercraft accidents, who might be responsible for them, and the legal options you have available.
What Causes Boat and Watercraft Accidents?
Accidents can happen on the water in a variety of ways, and many of them can result in devastating injuries. Some of the most common causes of boat and watercraft accidents include:
Operator Inexperience
Many people don’t take the dangers of operating on a boat or other watercraft as seriously as they should, which means they often take to the water without adequate training and experience. Boating involves unique navigation rules, unpredictable water conditions, and the added dangers of sharing space with swimmers, kayakers, paddleboarders, and jet skiers. Inexperience can quickly lead to dangerous or even deadly collisions.
Speeding and Reckless Operation
Excessive speed drastically reduces a boat operator’s ability to react in time to avoid collisions, while also increasing the severity of the impact. This is especially true for smaller vessels like jet skis and Sea-Doos, which can reach speeds of over 60 mph. Reckless behavior on these vessels—such as sharp turns, wake jumping, and weaving between boats—is a common cause of crashes, ejections, and injuries.
Impaired Boating
Alcohol is a leading cause of recreational boating accidents. Operating any watercraft under the influence means impaired judgment, compromised balance, and delayed reaction times. While it’s illegal in every state, operating under the influence is unfortunately common—and the consequences can be tragic.
Mechanical Failures and Poor Maintenance
Mechanical issues like engine failure or steering problems can easily cause severe accidents, especially when operating watercraft in a crowded area. These issues are frequently the result of poor maintenance by the boat owner or rental company.
Lack of Safety Equipment
Under Missouri law, all boats must be equipped with a long list of safety gear, including lifejackets, fire extinguishers, sounding devices, and navigational lights. Without this equipment, accidents can go from minor to tragic.
Who’s Liable in a Watercraft Accident?
Determining fault in a watercraft accident depends on the specific circumstances of the incident. Potentially liable parties include:
- Boat or Jet Ski Operators: If the operator of the vessel was distracted, impaired, or behaving recklessly, they may be liable for any injuries and losses they cause.
- Rental Companies: When a company rents out a boat to someone without providing proper safety briefings or adequately maintaining the equipment, liability may fall on them if an accident occurs.
- Boat Owners: Boat owners are responsible for the actions of anyone they allow to operate their vessel. If an accident occurs due to an inexperienced or impaired driver, the owner may be liable.
- Manufacturers: When defective equipment causes an accident, the manufacturer may be held responsible under product liability laws.
Contact a Boat Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve suffered injuries in a boat or watercraft accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need an experienced personal injury attorney to protect your rights. The team at Holland Injury Law, LLC, has recovered over $200 million for our 7,000+ clients. We understand the unique challenges of watercraft injury cases, and we’re prepared to fight for your right to fair compensation. Contact us online or call today for your free consultation.