Boating accidents can be serious incidents that result in heavy damages and painful injuries to passengers and operators alike. These injuries are similar to those that occur after a car crash and just as capable of affecting a person for a lifetime. There are several dozen reasons an accident can happen with many more leading to some kind of injury or damage. However, the most common cause of these accidents can be found leading back to one thing: negligence.
Negligent Driving
When operating a boat, it becomes essential that any and all hazards are accounted for and situations considered. It is the responsibility of the boat operators to make sure that their passengers and crew are kept safe. Failure to do so can lead to serious injuries and negligence claims being brought up in court. So, an operator is expected to know the rules of any waterway they are sailing in to make sure that they are speeding or missing any important hazard signs. They are also expected to follow boat etiquette and allow smaller boats the right of way when the situation calls for it.
An operator should also always be aware of the weather and any changes that could prove to be dangerous. Winds and waves out on the water can quickly grow stronger and affect a boat unless the operator reacts quickly. This is worse when the operator is distracted or intoxicated, making it harder to react in emergencies. Beyond that, an operator is also expected to make sure that their boat is properly maintained and the equipment works as is intended. Driving a boat that isn’t working properly is dangerous for everyone involved since any of the systems, from steering to the rotors, could break down unexpectedly.
Negligence of Natural Hazards
It has already been said but the weather and waves around a boat change up within minutes creating a much more hazardous environment. This can also be caused by other boats passing by, creating wakes that can create rougher waters instantly. Areas, where water can become rougher, are usually marked so it is up to the operator to keep an eye out for any signs. The same goes for underwater hazards like rocks and underwater shorelines. Operators should understand an area and know of any potential dangers before sailing. They are also responsible for checking the weather report for any signs of incoming storms. A day may start off sunny but that can easily change and knowing about any incoming storm fronts can be incredibly important for a day out on the water.
General Negligence of Boating
Sadly, unlike a driving license, boating licenses are much easier to receive with no actual prior experience of being in a boat required. This can lead to plenty of inexperienced boat operators out on the water without a clue of what to do in certain scenarios. Basic boating information like navigation, responses to emergencies, and basic boating laws are essential to any boating trip. But an inexperienced operator can forget even the simplest of necessities like the need for equipment like vests and flares. This not only makes accidents likely but much more dangerous.
Legal Negligence
One of the worst things a boat owner can be negligent of is their own legal rights and defense. A boating accident lawyer like those at lipcon.com will be able to explain what to do after an accident to best proceed, legally speaking. With their help, the effects of an accident can be made more manageable and their effects a little easier to process.