Boat accidents are common in Virginia, especially in the Tidewater region. This is largely due to the fact that the volume of boaters in and around Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, etc. is much higher in Tidewater.
The situation can be particularly dangerous due to boat operators lacking proper training regarding important safety rules and regulations that govern recreational boating activities.
Moreover, alcohol consumption is a common occurrence while boating. Many people take their boat out with a group of friends and throw caution to the wind by consuming large quantities of alcohol while operating a boat, jet ski, etc.
Drunk boating (similar to DUI driving) and serious boating collisions are quite common. In 2014, there were 610 reported boat accident deaths, an increase from 560 in 2013, according to U.S. Coast Guard data.
In some boating accidents, mechanical errors or defects on the vessel may be to blame, rather than operator negligence. For this reason, knowing the boat manufacturer is extremely important, if a possible civil claim needs to be filed.
Why Boat Accidents Can Be Quite Serious
Our boat accident attorneys understand how serious boating accident and injuries can be when innocent victims sustain injuries. Whereas an ambulance can arrive on the scene in minutes of a car crash, a boat accident can leave an injured victim stranded in the open water for longer periods of time worsening the injury. In serious boat accidents, we have seen instance of people suffering paralysis, brain injuries and/or multiple broken bones. And, that is if the victim was fortunate enough to not drown.
Boat Accident Statistics
In 2014, 4,064 accidents involved 610 deaths, 2,678 injuries and approximately $39 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents, according to the Coast Guard. In Virginia specifically, there was a total of 60 boating accidents, 15 of which were fatal, 27 non-fatal, 18 in property damage, 40 injured and a total of $562, 916 in damages.
Hiring a Virginia Beach Boat Accident Injury Law Firm
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a boat accident, you may want to consider speaking to a boating accident attorney. If your injuries were caused by the operator’s negligence, or a mechanical defect, there may be the basis for a civil claim. Our Virginia Beach boat accident law firm has extensive experience in piecing together the details following a boating accident. We are here to help you navigate through the complicated maze of a boat accident investigation, which may involve the U.S. Coast Guard, County Police, City Police and Virginia State Police, among others.
For additional information that may be helpful in assessing your legal options, take a moment to download our free boat accident injury claim guide. The guide was written by experienced attorneys and is a free resource for the general public.
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