Posted on Personal Injury Law FAQs / Boating Mishap Blog / Boating Accident FAQs

An injured boat passenger should know about their rights, duties, and obligations before purchasing their boarding ticket. For example, did you know that 11 million recreational boats are registered in the United States, causing thousands of deaths and injuries at sea annually? Boat accident numbers will steadily rise, with more boats and trips out to sea, despite mandatory safety and training courses for boaters. Our boating accident law firm will help you understand the law and your rights during every step of your claim.

What Questions Do People Ask Most Frequently About Los Angeles Boating Accidents?

First off, Los Angeles boating accidents occur in County waterways each year. Here are the questions victims of boating accidents will ask our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys most when seeking legal help. Los Angeles recreational boating accident attorney, Michael Ehline, attempts to answer your most frequent questions about boat accidents in Los Angeles.

Q: What Causes Death At Sea More Than Anything?

According to the United States Coast Guard, Passengers drowning from failing to wear their life vest remains the number one reason for civilian deaths at sea.

• 83% of passenger drownings were caused by drowning victims failing to dawn their life jacket

Passengers would not have required a life jacket, to begin with, if the vessel operated had behaved reasonably during vessel operations, including presenting a pre-voyage passenger safety briefing, inviting and answering their passenger’s questions.

Q: How Many People Die In U.S. Boating Accidents Yearly?

According to the United States Coast Guard statistics, there are approximately 1,000 fatalities per year in boating accidents.

Q: What Los Angeles Boating Accident Types Cause Most Fatalities?

A: Deaths caused during water accidents in Los Angeles mostly happen during:

• Boating collisions (Ex: colliding with floating, fixed, or submerged objects like a person in the water or a buoy),
• Capsizing, grounding, sinking, or swamping,
• Drowning after slipping and falling overboard,
• Carbon monoxide poisoning,
• Injuries from being sliced open by boat propellers,
• Men were falling overboard from hull failure, high waves, or surf, etc.,
• Jet ski accidents.

Q: What Can I Do To Reduce Or Prevent Boating Accidents And Related Injuries?

A: You Can No Doubt Follow Safety Procedures To Avoid Boating Accidents As Follows:

1. Wear an appropriately sized approved life jacket. (Capsizing and people falling overboard result in more than 50% of United States boat occupant deaths).
2. Do a vessel safety check.
3. Never operate a boat or watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics

Q: Boat Operators cause what Percentages Of Boat Accidents?

A: According to Coast Guard statistics, almost 70% of boating accidents were from vessel operator mistakes, errors, or negligence.

Q: Is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Including Fume Related Injury Or Death Common On Boats?

A: Yes, every boater should know carbon monoxide poisoning on boats is a leading cause of boat-related injury and death.

Death by asphyxiation or from toxic fume poisoning can stem from:

• Gasoline-powered engines,
• Inadequate ventilation and machinery failure,
• A person’s proximity to the engine exhaust,
• Boat air conditioning system failing during operations.

Q: What Is A Personal Watercraft?

A: the personal watercraft outlined by the U.S. Coast Guard are water vessels that are inboard boats. In other words, this craft uses an inboard-mounted water jet, pump propulsion system, driving seated, standing, or kneeling occupants forward during use. (e.g., a jet ski type of watercraft). These watercraft operators must legally follow the same laws and requirements as larger propeller-powered watercraft like motorboats, tri-hulls, catamarans, cruise ships, sailboats, Boston Whalers, and other vessel types.

Q: How Popular Are Personal Watercraft Machines?

A: Experts estimate at least 1 million personal watercraft remain in the United States, making them quite popular with those who can afford these expensive adult toys.

Q: How Many Personal Watercraft Accidents Occur Yearly?

A: Each year in the U.S., approximately 5,000 personal watercraft accidents occur, causing people more than 2,000 injuries and about 100 deaths. Families and decedent’s survivors may consider bringing a money damages wrongful death claim or lawsuit against those responsible parties for causing their tragedy.

Q: If I Suffer Injuries In A Boating Accident, Should I Contact A Los Angeles Boating Accident Attorney?

A: Yes, as soon as you can do so after your boating-related mishap, you must communicate with legal experts like the advocates working at the Los Angeles Ehline Law Firm boating accident attorney. These lawyers will represent you, protecting your legal rights after evaluating your case and you hire us.

Our world-famous staff and assistants will also go over your options, explaining everything in laymen’s terms, inviting your questions ad addressing each one. Last, our top-notch sea lawyers will protect the relevant statutes of limitations, including government and privately agreed to periods shorter than allowed in regular personal injury lawsuits. When you or your less experienced law firm fails to take these steps, courts will prevent you from receiving any compensation, let alone full and fair payment.

So for you, it will be imperative to contact a boat accident attorney as soon as possible after your mishap.

Q: What Are Some Common Factors Causing Los Angeles Boating Accidents?

A: By and large, common elements exist in Los Angeles boating accidents:

• Alcohol consumption
• The Negligent operation
• Reckless operation
• Excessive speed
• Inattention by the boat operator
• Inexperienced boat operator
• Boat equipment failure
• Boat engine failure
• Hazardous water conditions
• Hazardous weather conditions
• Restricted vision

Q: Does Law Require Boating Accident Reports?

A: Boaters are required to report a boating accident when:

• A human dies,
• A disappears, likely meaning they died at sea,
• A victim suffers injuries requiring medical treatment,
• A boat or other property receives damage amounting to more than $500,
• An insurer or regulatory authority finds the boat to be a total vessel loss. (Ex: capsized sea-craft).

Did you or your family members suffer a boating accident injury in Los Angeles waters? If you suffered harm at sea, please contact our phenomenal California personal injury lawyers today. You can protect your legal rights by calling our 24-hour injury hotline at (213) 596-9642 or by filling out our below online contact form to receive faster service from a dedicated, Southern California based severe injury law firm. We will come to you anywhere in California, with local locations near you and local courts.