The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

Owning or renting a boat to use on the water makes for a fun, exciting day in the outdoors. Swimming, waterskiing, or just enjoying a nice ride on the water, is a great way to spend a summer day. Boats, however, just like every other form of transportation, are involved in accidents. According to the United States Coast Guard, there were over 600 fatalities attributed to recreational boating accidents in 2007.

Boats, just like cars, are supposed to follow traffic laws regulating things like speed and right-of-way. Often these rules are neglected, however, and result in accidents on the water. There have been a number of causes of boating accidents reported, including:

• Distracted drivers
• Alcohol or drug use while operating a boat
• Excessive speed
• Underage drivers
• Collisions with swimmers or skiers

Accidents occurring on water can be just as deadly as those taking place on the roadways. Although it seems it would be safer to crash on water, as opposed to on concrete, unconscious crash victims may easily drown. Also, the water makes it difficult to assess the crash, and difficult to see. It also makes it difficult for necessary rescue vehicles to reach the crash site.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a boating accident, please contact the experienced boating accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm, operating numerous offices nationwide, today.

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