Common Causes of Boat Accidents

Recreational and commercial boating accidents can occur for many reasons. Causes of boating accidents can range from operator inattention to weather-related factors.

Keep reading to learn more about the causes of common boating accidents. If you’ve been seriously injured in a boating accident, contact  Regan Zambri Long for a free consultation. A member of our team can discuss the financial compensation you may be eligible to receive.

Most Common Fatal Boating Accidents

The US Coast Guard collects and publishes data regarding recreational boating accidents in the US. Per the Coast Guard’s 2023 Recreational Boating Statistics report:

• In 2023, the Coast Guard reported 3,844 recreational boating accidents on the county’s waterways.
• Recreational boating accidents on US waters resulted in 564 deaths and 2,126 injuries in 2023, which is an 11.3% decrease in fatalities from 2022.

Coast Guard research also indicates the following are among the most common fatal boat accident causes:

• Operator alcohol use or drug use
• Operator inattention and improper lookout
• Excessive speed and other such forms of reckless operation
• Failure to use or equip the boat with proper navigation lights
• Operator inexperience
• Violation of navigation rules
• Mechanical failures and equipment malfunctions 

The above indicates it’s not uncommon for boating accidents to result from some form of negligence. If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal boating accident, contact Regan Zambri Long for a free consultation to understand your legal rights.

Emergency Response and Immediate Steps After a Boating Accident

Under federal law, it’s necessary to report recreational boating accidents to the relevant state reporting agency (this can vary by state) when they result in any of the following:

• Someone’s death
• Injury requiring medical treatment aside from basic first aid
• Disappearance of a person from the vessel in a manner that indicates death or injuries may have occurred
• Property damage totaling at least $2,000 (although this amount is sometimes lower in certain states)
• Destruction of a boat

Taking specific steps to gather evidence after a boating accident is also important. These steps include:

• Checking yourself for injuries requiring immediate attention
• Checking others for injuries
• Relocating to a safe spot, if possible
• Calling 911 to request emergency services
• Exchanging contact information and insurance information with others involved in the accident
• Reporting the accident to the relevant boating authority
• Taking pictures of the accident scene and otherwise documenting the conditions that may have contributed to the accident
• Seeking medical attention, even if you don’t think you’ve sustained serious injuries
• Notifying your insurance company if you were one of the boat operators involved in the incident or if the incident involved your boat

Be wary of working with your insurance company directly. Depending on the cause of the accident, another party may be responsible for providing compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other such losses that can result from boating accidents.

Learn how to protect your legal rights immediately after a boat accident. Contact our experienced  boating accident attorneys for guidance.

Weather-Related Boating Accidents and Safety Measures

Hazardous weather can also cause boating accidents. Consider the following examples:

• Fog, precipitation, and other such factors may limit visibility.
• Strong winds and rough waters can make it difficult for a boat operator to maintain control of the vessel. Accidents that involve operators or passengers falling overboard may be particularly common in such weather conditions.
• Lightning strikes and electrical storms can increase the chances of onboard fires happening.

Boat operators must plan accordingly for the weather when preparing for trips. If weather forecasts indicate potentially dangerous situations, they should postpone trips until weather conditions improve. They should also ensure their vessels are equipped with proper safety gear in case of accidents.

Protect your rights after a weather-related boating accident. Let our experienced maritime attorneys evaluate your case.

Preventable Boating Accidents and Injuries

Several types of boating accidents are entirely preventable. They include:

• Falls overboard
• Collisions with fixed objects
• Accidents resulting from improper navigation, like wake damage
• Accidents involving swimming and recreational activities

It can be challenging to understand your rights if you were injured in a preventable boat accident. Reach out to our legal team to discuss your compensation options.

Liability in Boating Accidents

Seeking compensation after most boating accidents involves filing an insurance claim or lawsuit. To do so, you must properly determine who is liable. This typically involves identifying the party whose negligence caused your accident.

Perhaps you were injured in an accident while operating your boat or that of a friend or family member. If other boaters caused the accident, their insurance may be responsible for providing compensation. If you were injured as a passenger, and the operator of the boat you were on negligently caused the accident, their insurance might have to pay you.

In a commercial boating accident, the liable party will usually be the boating company, even if operator negligence was the direct cause of the accident. In some circumstances, the owners of marinas and docks may also be liable if accidents occur because of maintenance issues.

Boating Regulations and Safety Requirements

The Coast Guard requires recreational boats to have the following safety equipment onboard:

• Approved personal flotation devices
• Fire extinguishers
• Flares or other approved visual distress signals
• Horns or other sound-producing devices
• Flame arrestors
• Vents
• Navigation lights

These are federal requirements. There may be additional requirements in your state.

Boat operators must also be familiar with the applicable navigation and right-of-way rules. They must adhere to passenger capacity limits and obtain the licenses and permits to operate their boats legally.

Unfortunately, not everyone obeys the rules. If a violation of boating regulations led to your accident, speak with our legal team about your rights to compensation.

Long-Term Impact of Non-Fatal Boating Injuries

Accidents not resulting in boating fatalities can cause serious injuries that may have a long-term impact on a victim’s quality of life. Consider the following examples:

• Traumatic brain injuries, which can lead to cognition issues, memory troubles, and more
• Spinal cord injuries, which may result in paralysis
• Limb injuries and amputations
• Psychological trauma and PTSD 

Those are just examples. Get the compensation you deserve for your boating accident injuries. Contact Regan Zambri Long for experienced legal representation.

Special Considerations for Different Types of Watercraft

Boating safety considerations can vary depending on the types of watercraft involved in accidents. For example, light personal watercraft (like jet skis) can often achieve faster speeds than others. Being mindful of speed limits may be particularly important with these vehicles.

On the other hand, operator training and experience requirements can vary depending on the size and type of boat one wishes to operate. Knowing how to operate a yacht isn’t the same as knowing how to operate a sailboat.

Additional safety considerations may also apply to commercial fishing boats and similar commercial boats. For example, employers may need to ensure their boat operators have the proper licenses and experience.

Every type of watercraft accident requires specific legal expertise. Let our maritime attorneys guide you through your case.

Compensation and Recovery Options

The victims of boating accidents caused by negligence may receive compensation for financial losses, such as medical bills and lost wages. They may even receive compensation for future financial losses, such as the cost of ongoing medical treatment or lost earning capacity.

Sometimes, boat accident injuries result in pain and suffering, psychological trauma, and other such losses that aren’t strictly financial. Compensation may be available for these as well. It may also be available  property damage.

Boating Accident Attorneys at Regan Zambri Long

The boating accident attorneys at Regan Zambri Long handle cases throughout the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region, working with victims injured on the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, National Harbor and local lakes and waterways. Our team investigates injuries involving recreational boats, jet skis, and commercial vessels across all three jurisdictions.

We understand how boating laws differ between DC, Maryland, and Virginia, from accident reporting deadlines to operator licensing requirements. When clients come to us after a boating accident, we examine all potential sources of compensation, gather evidence and build strong cases based on each jurisdiction’s specific maritime regulations. Our attorneys have secured substantial settlements for clients injured in accidents, call today for a free case review.