Watercraft Accidents

A day on the water should be about relaxing and enjoying the company of family and friends. However, it shouldn't be about worrying whether or not the driver of the boat next to you has been drinking or has the proper training to operate his boat.

Unfortunately, most boating accidents occur for these reasons: inexperience and careless inattention.  According to the United States Coast Guard, in 2008, 5,191 boating accidents occurred. Of those misfortunes, 146 were Texas boating accidents. 

WaterCraft accidents include, not just boats, but all watercraft. Boat accidents can also involve jet skis, stand-up skis and skiers, wake boarders, towable floats, and other flotation equipment.  Federal and State laws must all be observed regarding the operation of all watercraft. Laws differ under variable circumstances, such as whether the accident occurred on a navigable waterway.

The requirements to operate a boat or jet ski are not very demanding, and people don’t always act as responsibly in operating the water craft as is warranted. A boater may be shown how to operate a boat for the first time, immediately before he or she takes it onto the water. This means you may have to share the waters with inexperienced boaters, increasing the odds of a serious personal injury accident.    

Boaters are as responsible for how they control their “boat” as highway vehicle drivers are for controlling their autos and trucks. Alcohol and drugs are frequent contributing factors in watercraft accidents, and these incidences increase every year. Inexperience, foolishness, horseplay, failure to observe what’s going on nearby, racing, and emotions such as anger or rage, are just a few other factors that can make the difference between an enjoyable boating experience and a disastrous one. 

Other contributing factors may include the failure of recreation site or boat owner to maintain the safety of their equipment or property. As you can see, there are many predictable, as well as unpredictable risks for injuries resulting from WaterCraft Accidents. 

Each incident requires a full investigation of causes and contributing factors, as well as a full investigation of the extent of injury and loss you, as a victim may be incurring now, and in the future. Not all contributing factors are obvious, and many can be so subtle that no one is aware of them without an investigation.