If you suffered injuries in a boating accident, contact our law firm to evaluate your case. An experienced California boat accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase has the skill, knowledge, and resources to hold negligent watercraft operators and defective boatmakers responsible.
Boaters and weather are often a factor in these accidents. Lack of training, negligence, and bad weather cause thousands of boat accidents annually.
Contact our experienced legal team at 800-561-4887 for a free consultation and a comprehensive case evaluation.
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California Boat Accident Lawyers
Boat Accidents Injuries and Fatalities
Thousands of people are injured yearly in accidents involving boats and other watercraft. Whether the boating collisions occur on speedboats, sailboats, jet skis, party boats, cruise ships, or privately owned vessels, these accidents can result in major injuries or even fatalities.
Determining fault and liability in watercraft accidents can be challenging and complex.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating crash, please contact an experienced California Personal Injury Lawyer at Bisnar Chase today to schedule a free no-obligation case evaluation.
Victims and their families would be well advised to learn about their legal rights in such cases. Owners and operators are responsible for piloting the craft safely and lawfully and ensuring passengers’ safety at all times.
Factors Causing Boat Accidents
Boating injuries usually occur because of a reckless or careless operator operating the vessel under the influence, a boat malfunction, or an inexperienced operator.
Many factors come into play for boating accident attorneys in Sacramento, San Francisco, and Oakland, California, such as the weather conditions on the waterways and the Bay, whether operator error is involved, and at what reckless level boaters behave.
Pursuing Recovery for Victims
We determine the level of property damage and liability issues before working on pursuing a recovery for victims, especially those suffering from spinal cord injuries or other severe disabilities.
We will negotiate settlements with the defense lawyers, and boat claims with insurance companies, considering the costs of medical treatment bills or other emergency services provided.
Boat accidents typically yield substantial settlements so long as the size of the event, level of fault, and specifics surrounding it are legitimate and provable by an experienced lawyer,
Boating accident attorneys know that laws with the common sense of safety are essential for accident prevention. We also emphasize the need to know the duty of care and what actions are necessary in each case.
Tragic Long Beach Boat Crash Kills Local Man
A yacht crashed into the Alamitos Bay Jetty in Long Beach on July 3, 2024. The accident resulted in one fatality and ten injuries, with three people critically hurt.
FOX 11 obtained cell phone footage of the aftermath, which depicts the boat sinking and the passengers’ rescue from the wreckage.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes with injured people on the rocks. The deceased, a man in his 50s, worked in real estate. Authorities believe speed was a factor and are investigating the incident alongside the U.S. Coast Guard.
Boat Propeller Injuries and Fatalities
A propeller is a rotating device that converts the kinetic energy of an engine into forward motion. Boat propellers can cause major injury.
A boat propeller can fail in a number of ways. The most common failure is when the blade tips are damaged or bent due to impact on another object, such as another boat or a person.
There are also other causes of propeller failure, including vibration and wear.
Propellers can also fail due to corrosion. Corrosion is caused by saltwater exposure and can occur in unprotected areas of the propeller shaft, such as the hub where it connects to the shaft housing.
Any defects or wear and tear in a boat propeller can harm your passengers. Also, keeping all passengers and others away from the boat propeller reduces the risk of injury.
Boat propeller injuries are very severe and often fatal because of the power and blades. Recently, a billionaire’s son was killed by a boat propeller while attempting to rescue his fiance.
California Watercraft Accident Statistics
There are close to 1,000,000 watercraft registered in the State of California, including pleasure boats, sailboats, powerboats, and personal watercraft such as jet skis. California also has the second-highest accident rate involving watercraft in the United States.
The most common boating accidents are collisions with other boats, personal injuries while on the boat, sinking, and boat disappearance.
Division of Boating and Waterways Reports: The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) publishes annual reports detailing recreational boating accident statistics in California. These reports include data on accidents, fatalities, and injuries.
Common causes of boating accidents in California include operator inattention, excessive speed, and alcohol consumption.
On average, there are about 480 boating accidents annually in California, leading to approximately 40 fatalities and numerous injuries.
A recent high-profile incident involved a speedboat crashing into a jetty in Southern California, resulting in one death and ten injuries. This highlights ongoing safety concerns and the importance of strict adherence to boating regulations.
Between 2018 and 2022, California recorded 194 boating-related deaths and numerous injuries, underscoring the risks associated with recreational boating.
California Maritime Laws
California has extensive maritime laws to ensure safety on its waterways. Because California has so many lakes, rivers, and beaches, the state has gone above and beyond to enact safety measures for boaters, swimmers, and the public.
- Every child under 13 years old must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the boat is underway unless they are in an enclosed cabin or restrained by a harness on a sailboat.
- All boats 16 feet or more in length (except canoes and kayaks) must carry one wearable (Type I, II, III, or V) life jacket for each passenger.
- Boater Education. As of January 1, 2018, boaters 20 and older must carry a California Boater Card.
- By 2025, all boat operators must carry a California Boater Card demonstrating completion of a state-approved boating safety course.
- Operating Age. If a person at least 18 supervises them, children aged 12 to 15 may operate a vessel with a motor of 15 horsepower or more.
- To operate a vessel independently, individuals must be 16 or older and have a California Boater Card.
- Speed and Navigation. Boats must adhere to speed limits and specific navigation rules to ensure safety and minimize collisions.
- Safety Equipment. Vessels must have appropriate safety equipment, such as navigation lights, fire extinguishers, and sound-producing devices (e.g., whistles or horns), depending on their size and type.
- Boating Under the Influence. It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Strict penalties are enforced to deter BUI violations.
These regulations are designed to reduce risks and ensure the safety of all individuals on California’s waterways. For comprehensive guidance, the Division of Boating and Waterways provides detailed information and resources on safety practices and legal requirements.
If you are unsure if your case qualifies as an injured plaintiff case with cause, contact a California boating accident lawyer at 800-561-4887 today.
Fun But Dangerous Activities -Practice Safety
Taking family and friends out on the water can be a great time for relaxation, action sports, and fun. As most people are aware, water can make things much more slippery, difficult to control, and dangerous.
Action sports and activities usually involve the use of speed, accessories (skis, rafts, boards, etc.), and the need for open water space.
When the environment becomes restrictive, the maneuverability or driving of the watercraft is neglected or misused, or alcohol is involved, an extremely hazardous and potentially deadly situation is created.
Here are some steps you can take to make sure your boating and watersport activities are performed as safely as possible:
- Never consume alcohol while driving. You can get a DUI just as easily on a boat as you can in a vehicle.
- Don’t allow intoxicated individuals to even ride on the watercraft. Intoxicated individuals do not have a good sense of judgment, function, or perception and can pose a danger to not only themselves but other passengers and pedestrians in and out of the water.
- Always make sure the captain or driver of the boat or watercraft is always at attention, not driving recklessly and following all safety precautions, rules, laws, and speed limits.
- Never drive a boat or watercraft at night without properly illuminated navigation lights on the bow, stern, starboard, and port sides.
- Don’t allow or encourage dangerous stunts or activities while the boat is in motion, in place, or at all.
You should contact one of our California boat injury attorneys if you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident. For immediate assistance, call 800-561-4887.
Alcohol and Boating - A Dangerous Mix
Many times boating activities like the fourth of July, bachelor’s party, guys fishing trip, or just a Sunday of fishing, include alcoholic beverages on-board. When alcoholic substances are involved, the risk of accidents, injuries, and death is greatly increased.
Although people tend to believe drinking alcohol and driving boats is acceptable, you can still get a DUI as easily on a boat, vessel, or watercraft as you can in a vehicle because the same rules apply.
If you are caught driving a boat, watercraft, or vessel while intoxicated by drugs and or alcohol, you may be arrested, fined thousands of dollars, additional penalties, AA workshops, community service, suspension of your license, and more.
For more information on DUI laws, DUI charges, and driving laws, visit www.drivinglaws.org/
Types of Boating Accidents
The majority of California boating accidents involve a collision with another vessel. Some of the other most common types of watercraft accidents include:
- Flooding
- Skier mishaps
- Grounding
- Sinking
- Falls overboard
- Capsizing
- Crashes with submerged objects
- Collisions with fixed objects
Causes of Boat Crashes
The Department of Boating and Waterways reports that operator inattention is the most common cause of California boating accidents. Operator inexperience and excessive speed are the second and third most common causes of boat accidents.
This means that the top three causes of California boat accidents involve operator negligence. In such cases, the at-fault boat operator can be held accountable for the victims’ injuries, damages, and losses.
Operators are not solely responsible for all boating accidents. Machinery failure is responsible for nine percent of all crashes. When a defective boat part causes an injury accident, it may be possible to hold the manufacturer accountable for the victims’ losses.
Victims of mechanical malfunctions would be well advised to preserve their boats for a thorough inspection by a qualified expert.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one, call a California boat accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase for a free consultation. Call 800-561-4887 today.
California Boating Laws
Owners and operators of boats in California are required to follow state and federal laws when it comes to the maintenance and operation of their vessels.
Similar to car drivers, boat operators are prohibited from driving in a reckless or negligent manner, which may endanger others. Operators must not drive near or through areas designated for swimmers, surfers, or bodyboarders.
All California boat operators must have an adequate number of life jackets and fire extinguishers onboard. They also must display navigation lights, fix fuel leaks and ensure that there is proper ventilation.
It is also vital for all boat operators to remain completely sober. Impaired driving is a particularly common cause of boating accidents.
Many boat operators make the mistake of thinking they are allowed to drive drunk because they are on the water. This is a tragic error that leads to many fatalities each year.
If you have questions about boating laws in your case, call a California boat accident lawyer for a free case evaluation of your evidence.
Contact a Top-Rated California Boat Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been harmed in a watercraft accident, it may be possible for you to seek compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses.
You must act quickly so that the incident can be investigated appropriately before evidence is lost. Similar to car accidents, the authorities should be notified whenever someone has been injured in a California boat accident. It is also advisable to:
- Write down specific details regarding how and where the crash occurred.
- Take photos of the damaged boat and of the injuries suffered.
- Collect contact information from anyone who may have witnessed the crash.
- Get your side of the story into the official report.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
Depending on the cause of the accident, you may be able to seek financial support for damages, including medical bills, lost wages, hospitalization, permanent injuries, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Our California legal services provide professional guidance and support for the plaintiff parties involved. We ensure that documents, claims, contracts, and any other legal needs are handled meticulously to maximize the value and amount of compensation based on your specific circumstances. We help you make informed decisions and effectively manage your case to secure the money you deserve.
Don’t hesitate to contact an experienced California boat accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase today to schedule a free no-obligation case evaluation.
