Many people are enjoying their summer by going onto the water, enjoying the fresh air and maybe fishing a little. While it may seem safer to be on a boat, you’re still at risk of injuries on the water.
Boat accidents often occur for the following reasons:
1. Texting and boating
Just like how many car accidents are caused by texting and driving, waterway accidents can be caused by texting and boating. Texting is a leading cause of distractions, especially since phones are practically made to draw people’s attention. Someone texting and boating isn’t likely to avoid an accident if they’re paying attention to their phones.
2. Alcohol
People often drink during their summer vacation. Drinking on a boat may even be a special occasion that people can only do once or twice a year. But, some people may drink while operating a boat. Alcohol impairs many of the senses to safely operate a boat.
3. Inexperience operating a boat
Some boaters are operating their vessels for the very first time. Boats, however, don’t operate exactly like cars. So, many people don’t know how to safely control a boat so that they avoid injuring others. They also might not understand the water equivalent of the rules of the road and travel in directions and places meant for people coming a different way or doing a different activity.
4. Speeding
Boaters have to be aware that they can’t go above certain speed limits on the water, just like speed limits on highways. Going above the speed limit causes safety issues because boaters have less control over their vehicles.
If you’re in a boating accident, you shouldn’t let your summer go to waste. You may need to learn how you can get compensated for your injuries and damages.