If you have been injured in a boating accident, you need a boat accident lawyer that will fight for you. Call (480) 361-2442 for a free consultation.
Boat Accidents
Recreational boating accidents are the second largest transportation-
related cause of injury in the United States (after car accidents)
People often underestimate the dangers involved with boats. Each year, accidents involving boats result in thousands of injuries, hundreds of deaths and tens of millions of dollars in property damage.
In 2010, there were 142 boat accidents reported to the Arizona Game and Fish Department involving 89 injuries and 6 deaths. In 2011, there were 15 deaths in Arizona from boat accidents.
There are over 135,000 boats registered in Arizona. Boat accidents occur throughout Arizona, including on Apache Lake, Bartlett Lake, Canyon Lake, the Upper Colorado River (Glen Canyon Dam to Separation Rapid), the Middle Colorado River (Davis Dam to I-40), the Lower Colorado River (Parker Dam to Mexico), Lake Havasu, Lake Mary, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Parker Canyon Lake, Lake Pleasant, Lake Powell, Roosevelt Lake, Saguaro Lake and the Verde River.
Causes of Boat Accidents
Most boating accidents are preventable. They often occur because of negligence. If you have been injured in a boating accident, an experienced boat accident lawyer can determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.
The primary factors resulting in boating accidents include the following:
- Operator inexperience
- Operator inattention
- Equipment failure
- Excessive speed
- Reckless operation
- No proper looking
- Failure to yield
- Bad weather
- Alcohol use
- Hazardous waters
- Overloading
- Congested water
- Restricted vision
According to the United States Coast Guard, the use of alcohol is the leading contributor to fatal boating accidents. Alcohol was involved in almost 1 in 5 boating deaths.
In some cases, more than one factor result in an accident. Our Arizona boat accident attorneys can investigate and determine if multiple parties are at fault for the accident.
Types of Boat Accidents
Most boat accidents in Arizona involve collisions with other vessels including boats and jet skis. Injuries from boating accidents can be caused in other ways, including falls overboard, slips and falls on deck, sinking, capsizing and other reasons.
Many boat accidents involve recreational boats. They can also involve cruise ships, navy vessels and personal watercraft such as jet skis.
Our team of boat accident attorneys can assist you with any type of boating accident.
Boat Accident Lawsuits and Laws
“The law of the sea is different than the law of the land.”
Boat accident lawsuits can be complicated. Unlike a typical automobile accident, both federal and state laws apply to to owners and operators of boats. A capable boating accident lawyer will determine which laws apply to your boat accident lawsuit.
Arizona Boating Laws
Arizona law prohibits boat operators from operating a boat in a manner that shows willful or wanton disregard for other persons or property. Boat operators are prohibited from operating a boat at speeds that are greater than reasonable and prudent under prevailing conditions or in excess of posted speed limits. Boat operators are prohibited from operating a boat in excess of wakeless speed while anyone is riding on the gunwales, transom, covered or closed bow of a boat. Arizona law prohibits any person under the influece of intoxicating liquor or drugs to be in physical control of a boat.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department publishes a summary of Arizona Boating Laws and Regulations.
Federal Boating Safety Laws
In 1971, Congress passed the Federal Boat Safety Act. This law, and the regulations created under the law, established registration requirements and navigation rules for recreational boats. They also require that recreational boats include certain safety devices such as navigation lights, personal flotation devices and distress signals.
The United States Coast Guard publishes a summary of Federal boat safety laws and regulations.
Maritime Laws and Admiralty Laws
Maritime laws, also known as Admiralty law, are federal laws that apply to shipping and boating that occurs in open seas and navigable waters.
Maritime Boating Lawyers
An Arizona maritime lawyer or admiralty lawyer can determine whether federal maritime law or Arizona state law will apply to your boating accident lawsuit. This will depend in part on where the accident occurred. Admiralty law may apply if the accident occurred on the Colorado River, Lake Mead or Lake Powell.
If a lawsuit must be initiated, your attorney can determine whether it should be filed in state or federal court.
Boating Accident Lawyers
If you or someone you love has been injured in a boating accident, it is important for you to hire an experienced boat accident lawyer. It is also important to act quickly so that the evidence can be preserved and the accident can be properly investigated.
We handle boat accident lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This means that there is no fee unless we win for you.
If you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation legal evaluation with a boat accident attorney, call (480) 361-2442.