Maine Boating Accidents
There are over 16 million boats and watercrafts registered in the country today, and the incident rate of boating accidents is continually increasing. Each year thousands of people are killed or injured due to boating accidents and boat malfunctions. The most common types of watercraft to be involved in a boating accident include powerboats, cruisers, jet skis, and sailboats. Maine personal injury attorneys, Hardy, Wolf & Downing, have over 30 years experience and knowledge fighting for the victims and families of those involved in boating accidents.
According to statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard, in 2009 there were 4,730 boating accidents in which 749 people were killed and 3,358 people were injured. While you personally may know how to properly navigate your vessel, that doesn't mean that other boaters sharing the water are as knowledgeable or as cautious. In fact, careless and/or reckless operation of a boat is the number one cause of boating accidents.
The leading causes of boating and personal watercraft accidents:
- Operator Inattention
- Operator Inexperience
- Excessive Speed
- Improper Lookout
- Alcohol Use
- Rules of the Road Infraction
- Machinery Failure
- Restricted Vision
- Sharp Turns
- Environmental Complications
Activities in which accidents and deaths most often occur:
- Cruising/Drifting
- Changing Direction
- Towing
- Being Tied to a Dock or Moored
- Changing Speed
The most common type of boat accidents are:
- Collisions with other boats, personal watercraft or swimmers
- Collisions with fixed objects
- Slip or fall due to wet surface
- Boat sinking or tipping
- Boat fire / explosion
Hardy, Wolf & Downing boating accident attorneys have handled a wide range of boating accident cases. Below are examples of cases and scenarios we have represented victims in:
Private boats — The operator of a private vessel owes an absolute obligation to the safety of any passengers. We handle all types of injuries, including collisions with other boats, docks or bridge abutments, and people thrown overboard or injured while on deck.
Charter boats and ferries — Captains of commercial launches and ferry boats are held to a high standard of responsibility. The operators and owners are responsible for injuries related to crashes or injuries because of the decision to sail in rough seas.
Personal watercraft — We handle "wave-runner" or "jet ski" accidents, including collisions with other boaters or fixed objects, swimmers hit by a personal watercraft, and people injured when thrown from a personal watercraft.
Marina/dock accidents — It is not uncommon to have slip and falls or other injuries due to rotted, slippery or poorly maintained docks, as well as refueling explosions or other mishaps at marinas.
Drunk boating — Operating a boat or watercraft while intoxicated is a criminal offense, and drunk boaters who cause accidents are liable to victims for any injuries caused.
Boating accidents can result in serious burns, broken bones, back/neck/spine injuries, head injuries and fatalities. The Maine boat accident lawyers of Hardy, Wolf & Downing have represented hundreds of boating accident clients who were seriously injured while boating, fishing or using a personal watercraft. We can help determine if your injuries are the fault of another’s negligence and/or faulty or improper equipment. Call us today at 1-800-Injured to set up your free consultation.
Contact our Maine personal injury lawyers today to schedule a consultation.
