The Pennsylvania boating accident lawyers of The Reiff Law Firm know how easily a pleasant day on the water can quickly turn into a disaster. Sail boat, fishing boat, ferry, sightseeing boat, tug boat, party boat, cruise ship, jet ski, kayak, or even white water raft accidents can lead to severe injuries, such as life altering brain trauma, or even fatalities. In fact, according to the US Coast Guard’s Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety records, the Coast Guard reported over 4,000 boat related accidents in 2013, and over 500 resulted in death.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a boating accident, you may be able to file an accident liability claim that can help you recover compensation for your injuries, including medical and hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, loss of wages, pain and suffering, or additional damages. The boating and Philadelphia car accident lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients for more than 34 years and handled a wide variety of wrongful death and personal injury coverage claims. We are committed to aggressive legal representation on behalf of our clients. To arrange for a free and confidential legal consultation, call our law offices at (215) 709-6940 today.
Why Do Boating Accidents Occur?
Many boating accidents occur due to the fact that many individuals have an apparent misconception that boats are easy and safe to drive. Many people who operate a boat do not possess the necessary experience nor have they successfully completed a Pennsylvania or New Jersey boating course. Many times operators of boats turn out to have improper licensing or in fact, are not licensed at all. Sometime businesses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania will even rent jet skis, skidoos, wave runners, Tiger Sharks, speed boats, and many other types of personal water craft to people who do not possess basic boating safety educational certificates and are not aware of any safety regulations. Most times, easily preventable boating accidents result in catastrophic injuries and death by drowning.
Another deadly combination is alcohol or drugs, which will definitely lead to a boat driver’s judgment becoming impaired or the main cause of boating accidents – erratic driving. And in 2013, alcohol use was the leading cause of fatal boating accidents, accounting for approximately 16% of deaths. Many times, these injuries and deaths could have been prevented if proper safety equipment including flotation devices and life jackets had been used or present.
Faulty boating accessory equipment is also a leading cause of boating accidents that may cause severe injuries or death. The skilled legal team at The Reiff Law Firm is highly equipped to represent clients who’s boating accident is the cause of faulty products or manufacturer’s negligence. Our experienced Pennsylvania boating lawyers have investigated and litigated boat accident cases involving the following:
- Medication impairment
- Recreational drugs
- Erratic driving
- Failure to navigate properly
- Excessive power
- Operating a vehicle in poor weather despite warnings
- Product defects in Pennsylvania
- Failure to maintain proper lookout
- Failure to maintain safety equipment
- Failure to maintain navigation equipment
- Failure to maintain or posses communication equipment
- Ineffective drainage
- Ineffective pump systems
- Power failures
- Improper lighting
- Improper surface treatments
- Improper engine ventilation
- Fuel systems leading to fire and explosion
- Failure to understand the rules of the sea
Common Injuries Caused by Boating Accidents
Boating accidents can lead to drowning and serious water submersion injuries including but not limited to:
- hypothermia
- traumatic brain injury
- permanent scarring
- internal organ injuries
- paraplegia
- carbon monoxide poisoning
- quadriplegia
- spinal chord injuries
- wrongful death.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm for Your Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been involved in a boating, maritime, or jet ski accident, our boating accident attorneys may be able to help you recover compensation for your losses. We have over three decades of boating and legal experience and will work with investigators and experts to commence a comprehensive investigation to determine where proper liability lies to recover financial damages for medical and hospital bills, pain and suffering, loss of income, and other losses.
Maritime accidents can often be complex and require specialized experience, that the skilled attorneys at The Reiff Law Firm have over 90 collective years handling. For a free, no obligation consultation, contact us online or at (215) 709-6940.
