Seattle Boat Accident Attorney - Lawyers Helping Victims of Boat Accidents in Washington

Boating is one of the most popular forms of recreation in Washington, and it's also a mode of transportation that's critical to the local economy given the geographic location of the state. Washington is dependent on its waterways for many things, but there is a downside to this reality, and that's the fact that boating can also be dangerous. Below is a look at some national statistics regarding boating accidents as well as what you should do if you've been injured in such a situation.

National Boating Accident Statistics

According to the United States Coast Guard, the following statistics applied to boating accidents for the year 2007:
  • The overall number of deaths in boating accidents dropped from 710 in 2006 to 685 in 2007.
  • Other casualty figures increased: accidents rose from 4967 to 5191, injuries rose from 3474 to 3673, and damages rose from $43,670,424 to $53,106,496.
  • Over two-thirds of all fatal boating accident victims drowned.
  • 90% of those who drowned were not wearing a life jacket.
  • Only 14% of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received boating safety instruction.
  • 75% of boaters who drowned were using vessels less than 21 feet in length.
  • The leading causes of boating accidents in 2007 were:
    • Operator inattention
    • Careless/reckless operation
    • Passenger/skier behavior
    • Excessive speed
    • Alcohol use
  • Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; it was listed as the leading factor in 21% of the deaths.
  • 16 children age 12 and under lost their lives while boating in 2007, compared to 29 children in 2006 and 21 children in 2005. Half of the children who died in 2007 died from drowning.
  • The most common types of vessels involved in reported accidents were open motorboats (44%), personal watercraft (24%), and cabin motorboats (15%).
  • The number of deaths associated with the use of canoes/kayaks increased to 107 in 2007 from a total of 99 in 2006.

Seattle Washington Boat Accident Lawyers

As you see, of all the leading causes of boating accidents, each cause involves some sort of negligence or recklessness on the part of someone in the boat. Simply put, any dangerous activity on the water is instantly dangerous, as the drowning statistics above would indicate. Therefore, if you or someone you love has been injured in a boating accident in Washington, you need to seek the help of an experienced attorney who will be able to sort through what happened and help you file a valid claim if the facts surrounding your situation call for such action.

Contact the Washington boating accident lawyers at Phillips Webster today to schedule a free initial consultation.
 



1-800-ABOGADO

Phillips Webster es la firma de abogados de Washington y nuetros abogados experimentados lo pueden ayudar.   Si usted se ha lastimado en un accidente,  si necesita declararse en bancarrota o necesita que le ayudemos a negociar su deudas, podemos ayudarlo.

Hablemos Españo; 1-800-226-4236

 

 

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13303 NE 175th Street
Woodinville, Washington 98072

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 900 S W 16th St Suite 300 | Renton, Washington 98057

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Washington Mutual Tower
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