According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), last year there were 78 boating accidents reported that resulted in 18 fatalities. Of the 18 fatalities, 15 victims might possibly have survived if they had only worn their life jacket. According to the National Safe Boating Council, nationwide in 2004, 700 people died in boating accidents, and 8 out of every 10 were not wearing a life jacket.

Fishing trips, diving expeditions, water skiing, a weeklong cruise on a luxury ship – boats are supposed to be fun, recreational vehicles for you and your family to enjoy. However, boat accidents can cause serious injuries. The boat accident attorneys of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. have extensive experience in this area, and we want you to call us if you have been injured in a boating or maritime accident.

Overall, carelessness or reckless operation, operator inattention, operator inexperience and excessive speed are the leading contributing factors of all reported boating accidents. IDNR reports most boating accidents can be avoided through responsible boating. The three key steps to safe boating include: operating the boat sober, avoiding reckless boating, and wearing a life jacket.

Alcohol use is the number one cause for boat accident deaths, and it accounts for nearly one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Most boaters do not realize that the effects of alcohol are magnified while on the water.

Boating accidents include capsizing, falls overboard, collisions, sinking/flooding, explosions, disappearance and fire. The most reported type of accident was a collision with another vessel. However, capsizing and falls overboard are the most reported types of fatal accidents and account for over half of all boating fatalities. Most boat accidents or crashes require that you send a report to either the state agency regulating boats or the U.S. Coast Guard.

When there is a boating accident, a report must be filed when:

• A life is lost due to the accident.
• Someone is injured and requires medical attention beyond first aid.
• There is damage by or to the vessel and other property.
• Any person on board a vessel disappears (under circumstances indicating possible death or injury).

Failure to remain on the scene, provide aid, and report the accident in a timely manner is a crime. We also recommend that you report the incident to your insurance company. This is a requirement if a state or federal report was made.

Recreational boat crashes are governed by a number of city, county and state laws. Most boat operators have a legal obligation to operate their watercraft in a safe manner. If they do not, there may be criminal charges, and the people who were injured may be entitled to sue for damages. Boat owners also need to be careful about allowing other people to drive their boat. No matter who is driving, if the boat is in an accident, the boat owner may be liable for the damages.

If you have been inured in any kind of boat crash that was someone else’s fault, you have the right to be compensated for a wide range of things, including property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, permanent injury, and pain and suffering.

The personal injury attorneys of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. have been helping boating accident victims in Illinois receive the fair compensation they deserve for several years. Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation, at (866) 997-2584.

Recent Boating Accident News

BVI News Online

German national injured in boat accident BVI News Online, British Virgin Islands - 23 hours ago Marine police are investigating a boat accident on the afternoon of May 12 in which a German national was injured. Gernot Richards Zahn, 64, of Germany was ...

Xinhua

Death toll from Amazon boat accident rises to 45 Reuters - May 7, 2008 RIO DE JANEIRO, May 7 (Reuters) - Brazilian rescuers have found the bodies of 11 more passengers who were on a boat that sank in a river in the Amazon, ... Video: Ferry Sinks Killing 15 People AssociatedPress 29 bodies recovered in Brazilian boat accident Xinhua Brazil riverboat accident death toll rises to 29 ABC Online Earthtimes (press release) - CCTV all 819 news articles

radiojamaica.com

11 dead in Haitian boat accident radiojamaica.com, Jamaica - May 12, 2008 Officials in Haiti report that at least 11 people, including five children, have died after an overcrowded passenger ship sank off the southern coast. ...

Teen 'critical' after horror boat accident East Anglian Daily Times, UK - May 12, 2008 A TEENAGE girl is in a critical condition after she was in collision with a yacht while using an inflatable rubber ring that was being towed behind a speed ...

WMDT	One Killed In Boat Accident WMDT, MD - May 12, 2008 By MOLA LENGHI A crew member of a research vessel died Monday after his boat was caught in the storms. A 64-foot University of Delaware research vessel ...