On the Gulf Coast, hundreds of thousands of people spend time on the water nearly year-round. Unfortunately, this also means that there are instances each year where people are killed or seriously injured while boating. If you find yourself in this situation, it is in your best interest to reach out to a skilled Mobile, Alabama boating accident attorney who will stand by your side during this difficult time and fight on your behalf to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Coast Guard statistics show there were 827 boating accidents in 2017, 84 of which were fatal. Boating accidents often lead to devastating injuries or fatalities, and few are prepared for what to do in the immediate aftermath. In the wake of a boating accident in Alabama or Mississippi, many victims or their survivors are left to deal with rising medical costs and other expenses, all while dealing with overwhelming grief and frustration.
Coast Guard data shows that boating accidents occur for multiple reasons. Causes of boating accidents in Alabama or Mississippi may include:
Federal data shows that alcohol is a leading cause of fatal and nonfatal boating accidents. Some of these instances may involve accidental drownings. During 2017, alcohol was a contributing cause of 10 boating accident deaths.
Mistakes while operating a boat can also lead to serious accidents. Common operator error mistakes include getting lost in poor lighting conditions (night or bad weather), speeding and navigational errors.
It is important to pay attention to your surroundings while boating, otherwise the risk of causing an accident increases. Rocks, other watercraft, swimmers and weather conditions can quickly lead to a fatal boating accident. Operator inattention is one of the leading causes, perhaps the leading cause, of boating accidents nationwide.
Bodies of water can be a dangerous place in general, and it is no surprise that environmental factors cause many accidents. Rocks, intense waves and bad weather can easily kill unprepared boat operators and their passengers. Inexperienced operators are even more likely to run into trouble, as they may not have the necessary information to avoid these hazards.
Like most vehicles, boats require regular maintenance. Moving parts on boats may fail without regular checkups and repairs. Product defects can also lead to death or serious injury. The Coast Guard lists machine failure as a cause of boating accidents.
You should always be prepared if you are going to be working or enjoying recreational activities on a boat. Life vests, flares, medical supplies, water and sound-producing devices are a few of many safety items to bring on a boat. Some of these prevent accidental drownings and can help if you become lost.
The injuries that are sustained in a boating accident can be truly varied. In some cases, an accident may lead to nothing more than a few scrapes; in other situations, catastrophic injuries or death, may result. Indeed, the following is a short list of injuries that are often sustained in boating accidents in Alabama:
In cases that involve parties falling overboard, these victims may sustain serious brain damage after prolonged periods of lack of oxygen. Other times, serious boating accidents may lead to fatalities, as well.
Boating accidents do not necessarily involve collisions with other boats or objects. Drowning is also a common reason for deaths while boating.
You should always seek immediate medical attention following an Alabama or Mississippi boating accident or drowning. Always contact the authorities for help right away, as every second counts for certain types of accidents. Law enforcement officers, medical professionals and members of the Coast Guard have the training to help injured boaters and passengers.
You should also contact an boat accident attorney in Mobile, Alabama if you believe negligent or reckless actions caused your accident. Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to recover compensation that can help you pay for expenses associated with death or serious injury.
Our Mobile, Alabama Boat Accident lawyers at Taylor Martino Rowan can help you determine if you have legal options to recover compensation for your injury or loss occured after a boating accident in Alabama or Mississippi. Call (800) 256-7728 or use our online case review form to schedule a free consultation.
If you have been injured or require immediate assistance, please feel free to contact us by phone or submit a consultation request. We will get back to you with 1 business day.
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