Boating is a great way to unwind and enjoy time with friends and family on a warm, sunny day. However, it is important to remember that boating also comes with a great deal of responsibility. Just like any other type of vehicle, boats can be dangerous if an accident occurs.
Boating accidents commonly result in catastrophic injuries, property damage, and costly financial losses. The most common causes of boating accidents are linked to operator error or reckless behavior. Speeding is also a risk on the water.
The attorneys at Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks can review your boating accident case. Anyone who has been injured or suffered other damages related to boating accidents involving speeding can work with our Provo, UT attorneys to seek financial compensation for their losses.
Dangers of Speeding
Aside from a few areas that are close to the shore, most waterways do not have posted speed limits, as roads do. However, this does not mean that boaters are free to travel as fast as they would like. Maritime laws regulate how watercraft should be safely operated. These laws hold boat operators responsible for doing their part to keep themselves, their passengers, and others on the water safe.
Operating a boat at excessive speeds is associated with a higher level of risk. Speeding diminishes visibility and awareness, making it far more dangerous to recognize potential hazards, including sandbars, people in the water, and other vehicles. As with any other type of vehicle, it is also easier to lose control of a boat when it is traveling at excessive speeds.
But perhaps one of the greatest dangers of speeding on the water is the fact that boats do not have conventional brakes like land vehicles. Without conventional brakes, boats are unable to stop abruptly. This is another reason why boat operators should avoid speeding and leave themselves with ample reaction time.
Accident Injuries
Injuries that occur as the result of boating accidents can range in severity. While some may be fortunate enough to walk away with minor scrapes or contusions, other could suffer serious injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Electrocution
- Head or brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Death is also a serious risk in a boat accident. If a boater is not wearing a lifejacket, loses consciousness, and falls into the water, drowning becomes a risk.
Financial Damages
Boating accidents are also likely to result in significant financial losses. Monetary damages that are commonly linked to boat accidents include:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of wage-earning potential
- Loss of property or cost of property repairs
Contact Us
The attorneys at Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks understand state and federal maritime laws. If you want to learn more about your legal right to financial compensation for accident damages, contact us at your earliest convenience to discuss the details of your case. You can reach our legal team by calling (801) 500-4000.