Personal Injury Blog

NTSB Warns about Boat Accident Risks Due to Cell Phone Use

August 13th, 2011
Boat accidents might occur when the operators are distracted by cell phones.

The use of cell phones and other devices while operating boats represent a risk.

The National Transportation Safety Board has cautioned about the boat accident risks involving the use of cell phones and other devices by the operators of the boats might increase.  The agency was making the observations as part of its final report into the duck boat-tugboat accident that occurred on the Delaware River last year.

The National Transportation Safety Board has completed its investigations into the tragedy that killed two people.  The tourist duck boat had stalled on the Delaware River, after it broke down, when a tugboat-barge formation crashed into the boat.  The boat was completely destroyed, and all the passengers were thrown into the river.  Two persons, both Hungarian tourists were killed in the tragedy.  Their families have already filed wrongful death lawsuits against the City of Philadelphia, the boat operator, and others.

The National Transportation Safety Board had earlier indicated that the pilot of the tugboat had been on a cell phone in the minutes leading up to the crash.  According to the Board, the pilot had a family emergency, and had made and received several cell phone calls just before the accident.  Not only that, the pilot had also used a laptop to surf the web for at least two hours before the accident.  Now, the National Transportation Safety Board has confirmed that a crew member of the duck boat was also texting minutes before the crash.

The Board is taking this opportunity to warn about the increasing number of transportation accidents that have involved cell phone use over the past few years.  The National Transportation Safety Board is warning about a major surge in deadly and fatal accidents across the country unless people stop using cell phones and other electronic devices with the kind of recklessness that they do now.  The agency is warning about people using cell phones while they’re driving, operating boats and planes.  Distracted driving seems to permeate all aspects of transportation safety, and the problem has become hard to ignore.

The National Transportation Safety has reasons to be concerned about the boat accident risks increase.  Over the past few years, the agency has been called in to investigate accidents involving distracted operations.  One investigation of a maritime accident in the Baltic Sea traced the accident to a crew member texting at the time.  Another investigation involved pilots for Northwest Airlines distracted by the laptop and overshooting the destination by more than 150 miles.

The time to be blasé about the risks of distracted driving not just on land, but also on water and in the air, is behind us.  Los Angeles personal injury lawyers find that the problem with cracking down on cell phone use while driving is that these practices are so widely accepted by society.  The pilot in the Philadelphia boat accident, for instance, used his cell phone several times in the minutes leading up to the crash, in the presence of his crewmembers, who all failed to notice anything reckless about his behavior.

 

Posted by at 5:16 pm: No comments

Leave a reply



Share This Page With A Friend
Find The Reeves Law Group On

Latest Review

The Reeves Law Group
Excellent, highly recommended

"I was very pleased with my overall experience with The Reeves Law Group. The staff was friendly and helpful, and my attorney was skillful and aggressive in getting an excellent settlement recovery for me, including reimbursement for my lost income."

 - Camilla C. Castagna 5.0

FreeConsultation

24 Hours
EASY & CONFIDENTIAL CLICK HERE ›
SPEAK TO A LAWYER NOW
1-800-644-8000

Client Testimonials

  • "I would recommend The Reeves Law Group to my family and friends for attorney representation of any bodily injury claims they might have..."

    — C.O., Los Angeles

  • "I cannot thank this firm enough. The attorneys and support staff were caring, attentive and diligent at every step of the way and produced an outstanding result in the case."

    — M.N., Orange County

  • "I am very happy with $981,932.68 The Reeves Law Group obtained for me for injuries I suffered in an automobile accident. The legal representation provided by the Reeves staff was excellent..."

    — G.D., Ventura County

  • "I appreciate the level of excellence and compassion put forth in my case. This law firm made what was stressful in the beginning a non-stressful case in the end. Thank you!"

    — J.H., Riverside

  • "I was very happy with attorney Pakiz of your office, who worked very diligently and was very courteous with me. I would not hesitate to call on or recommend your office in the future."

    — T.M., Orange County

  • "I would refer The Reeves Law Group to friends and family."

    — J.K., San Diego County

  • "I found the attorneys to be compassionate for my needs and tenacious against the insurance company representatives, while working to achieve an outstanding settlement result."

    — F.H., Los Angeles County

  • "Dear Mr. Reeves: Your representation and guidance during the pendency of my injury case are very much appreciated..."

    — A.C., Santa Ana

  • "I received great service and am very happy with the way your firm handled my case."

    — J.F., Orange County

  • "Great job on the whole process. It was a fast process, and there was always someone for me to talk to."

    — D. H., Rialto

  • "We came to you from another law firm that didn't help. Your offices made us feel like we were your only clients. Thank you so much for the terrific service!"

    — R.L. and E.L., Orange County

  • "Great job - great damages recovery! Thank you Mr. Reeves and staff for quality legal representation and results in my personal injury case."

    — M.I., Riverside County

Helpful Links

Our Blog Over 3,000 Articles Daily articles on Personal injury news & analysis
Click Here ►
Our Guarantee If there is no recovery you don't pay a fee
Learn More ►
Video Library A helpful resource for your injury case
Click Here ►