Twelve weeks of summer provide many opportunities to participate in water sports, and boating is a favorite for fishing, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing, or just pleasure riding. However, people who own boats and the ones who drive them have an obligation to practice boating safety to prevent injury to others.
Staying Safe on the Water
Boats and water both present dangerous situations that are avoidable with proper preparation. While boating accidents spoil the fun of a day on the water, they can also cause injuries that last a lifetime.
The U.S. Coast Guard offers these tips for safe boating that you can use as a passenger, driver or owner of a watercraft:
- Wear a Life Jacket – having a life jacket in the boat does not do any good unless you put one on. Many fatalities occur as a result of boaters not wearing a life jacket.
- Avoid Alcohol – the driver has the responsibility to drive safely, and alcohol impairs judgment on the water as much as it does on land. As a passenger, your judgment is also affected by alcohol, and you can get hurt as a result.
- Remain Seated – standing or moving around in a boat can make it capsize. Additionally, falling into the propeller blades of an outboard motor can cause accident injuries that are hard to deal with in the water.
- Avoid Speeding – as a passenger, you can encourage the driver to travel at safe speeds and observe posted signs. Everyone risks the possibility of injury in a boat, and it is not fair for anyone to expose others to danger.
Taking Action
Your options when you get injured in a boating accident include seeking legal counsel from a McKinney injury attorney. It is in your best interests to find an attorney who understands the complex legal and safety issues that are involved in accidents on the water. Call Lucé Law, PC at (972) 632-1300 or contact us online to schedule an appointment for aggressive representation.