Dramatic Increase Of Boating Fatalities – Protect Yourself
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.