According to the U.S. Coast Guard, more than 12.1 million boats are registered in the country. However, while boating is a popular pastime for many, it is not always as safe as people would like to believe. Although statistics indicate a 14 percent decrease in boating fatalities from 2011 to 2012, as well as a 2.6 percent decrease in injuries and a 1.6 percent decrease in the number of boating accidents, the U.S. Coast Guard reported $38 million in property damage as a result of boating accidents during that time.
Although boating accidents can occur due to a number of factors, common causes of these incidents include machinery failure, operator inattention, improper lookout, excessive speed, and operator inexperience. Additionally, alcohol is the leading cause of fatal boating accidents, accounting for 17 percent of all boating deaths.
If you have sustained injuries due to a boating accident that you feel was caused due to a defect with the boat or its parts, consider working with a Kansas boat accident attorney to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer. Many boating injuries and deaths also happen when the owner or the operator of a boat is negligent or irresponsible, including being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, is racing another vessel, or if he or she did not follow regulations to ensure that the vessel was properly inspected and maintained.
A Kansas boat accident attorney can help determine if the operator acted in an irresponsible or neglectful manner or if he or she violated any laws that caused the incident. Family members may also be entitled to pursue wrongful death claims against those responsible if it can be proven that the decedent died as a result of injuries sustained in a boating accident that was the fault of another.
Contact a Kansas Boat Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a boating accident and you would like to learn more about your legal rights, contact Attorney Group for Kansas today. We can review your case in a free, no-obligation consultation to help you determine if you are eligible to recover damages for your injuries. If you are, we can connect you with an affiliated Kansas boat accident attorney who can file a lawsuit on your behalf and help you to seek compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Call today.
