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Increase in Boating Accident Fatalities in 2008

The Coast Guard says that there has been an increase in the number of boating accidents in 2008.

According to the agency, there were 709 deaths recorded in 2008. In 2007, in contrast, there were 685 deaths, which was less from 710 the previous year. According to the Coast Guard, that is an increase of about 3.5 percent in recreation boating accident fatalities from the previous  year. A further 3,331 people were injured in boating accidents in 2008, and $54 million worth of property was damaged. In 2007, the number of people who were injured was 3,673 and the property damage was worth $53 million.

There were 4,789 boating accidents in all in 2008. A further breakdown of the boating fatality statistics shows that more than two-thirds of all fatalities in boating accidents drowned. In all the drowning fatalities, victims were not wearing life jackets.

A majority of accidents also seem to have occurred because of a lack of boating education. Of the boat accident fatalities, only 10 percent occurred on vessels on which the operator had received boating safety education.

There also seem to be a number of other factors at play in boating accident-fatalities. Out of every 10 boaters who drowned, 7 were in boats that were less than 21 feet in length. The top factors contributing to boating accidents according to the Coast Guard, were:

• Careless operations

• Inattention of the operator

• Lack of a proper lookout

• Inexperience of the operator

• Passenger behavior

• Machinery failure

• Driving at excessive speeds

• Alcohol use

• Adverse weather

• Force of waves

California boating accident lawyers often warn about boaters avoiding alcohol consumption  and speeding. Alcohol use, the agency confirms, is a leading factor in boating accidents involving fatalities. Alcohol was a factor in 17 percent of the fatalities.

Most boating accidents seem to be linked to a collision with another vessel. This includes collisions with other recreational boats, as well as collisions with commercial vessels. These kinds of accidents amounted to 1,237 accidents and led to 60 deaths.

• Flooding and swamping accidents were involved in 475 accidents and led to 89 deaths.

• Collision of boats with a fixed object was seen in 446 accidents, and a total of 53 deaths.

• Falls overboard were involved in 431 accidents, and these were linked to the highest number of fatalities at 88.

• Accidents involving a skier were traced to 383 accidents that ended in 10 deaths.

• California had a total of 520 boating accidents in 2008. These led to 45 people dead and 376 people injured. 202 of those accidents led to property and boat damage.

• Based on Coast Guard statistics, it’s clear that taking basic precautions goes a long way in preventing accidents.

• Always wear a life jacket.

Drunk driving is just as dangerous at the wheel of a car as it is at the helm of a boat. Avoid drinking and boating. Take a boater education class even if you’ve grown up by the water, and think you know all there is to know about boat safety.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of boat accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not acting as legal counsel for any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

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