Philadelphia Injury Attorney Blog

According to reports of the United States Coast Guard, there have been 31 recreational boating and paddling deaths this summer in the First Coast Guard District stretching from the coast of Maine to New Jersey, as well as including eastern New York and Lake Champlain. Just this summer there have been 11 boating accidents in Pennsylvania resulting in catastrophic injury or death. Eight motor boats and three personal water crafts accounted for 1/3 of the deaths while the remaining 2/3 occurred on non-motorized vehicles, including canoes, row boats, kayaks and sail boats. Most of the deaths were preventable due to the lack of proper safety equipment including but not limited to life jackets. Many other injuries or deaths were caused by inexperienced operators as well as operators impaired by alcohol. The number of boating accidents has jumped by over 80% this year. Nationally, according to the Coast Guard, there were 4,789 boating accidents which killed 709 and left 3,331 injured and caused $54 million in property damage.

If you or a loved one were injured in a boating or jet ski accident, you would be well advised to seek the services of an experienced boat accident and jet ski accident lawyer who can begin a comprehensive investigation and determine where proper liability rests and recover monetary damages for physical and mental injuries.

Maritime accidents can be complex and require specialized experience. The experienced boat accident and jet ski accident lawyers at Reiff and Bily offer a free no obligation consultation to anyone injured in a jet ski or boating accident. Please contact us at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Posted by Jeffrey M. Reiff | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Boating Accidents

Bookmark:

It amazes me how many people ride jet skis without any type of instruction when in fact jet skis have been involved in many catastrophic accidents on the water. In fact, jet skis are the second highest ranked type of water craft that has been involved in major boating accidents across the world. Anyone who has ridden the jet ski will tell you that they are extremely responsive and ultra-sensitive to the slightest movement of the handle bar. The same maneuverability in the hands of the untrained or inexperienced operator makes the jet ski prone to waterway accidents particularly when an inexperienced rider panics.

I have witnessed many jet ski accidents as well as have been involved in one myself with my son (where I almost lost my leg) and I am astounded that many rental agencies will casually place an inexperienced rider on a jet ski in a resort area or in a waterway area where there are other boaters traveling, creating obstacles and potential risk of danger and harm for the inexperienced operator. Not only should one be instructed on how to operate the jet ski but one should also be instructed on what to do to survive if a jet ski accident occurs.

Continue reading "Jet Skis Are Not Children’s Toys – In Fact They Are One Of The Most Dangerous Types of Water Craft In Use – Jet Ski Accident Lawyer Speaks Out" »

Posted by Jeffrey M. Reiff | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Boating Accidents

Bookmark:

It’s summertime and inevitably many boat accidents and jet ski accidents will occur. Many individuals will suffer catastrophic injuries or wrongful death as a result of being struck by a watercraft’s propeller. For minimal costs, marine engine manufacturers can place a safety ring around propeller blades. It is estimated that this safety fix would cost approximately $5 to $10 per boat to add. Boating accidents and propeller injuries are foreseeable.

The experienced product liability lawyers at Reiff and Bily believe that boating engine manufacturers have a duty to place safety over profits and have a duty to minimize injury and prevent deaths. Recently, Lawrence Thibault, an expert witness in automobile product liability matters and the owner of Biomechanics Inc., a Pennsylvania consulting firm, told a jury in Florida how lap belts prompted a series of changes that improved safety in the auto industry leading to harness belts, padded dashboards, airbags, side airbags, and other changes. However, the boating industry is not following the auto industry in increasing safety features and is fighting a push to equip boats with inexpensive ring guards.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a boating accident or jet ski accident, it is important to have an experienced boating and product liability lawyer evaluate your claim. For a free no obligation consultation, please contact the experienced product liability lawyers at Reiff and Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Posted by Jeffrey M. Reiff | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Boating Accidents

Bookmark: