When the weather is warm, it seems like almost everyone turns out to enjoy the Pennsylvania’s lakes rivers and other waterways. Unfortunately, some of those who are enjoying water sports or who sail our waters are not paying attention to even the most basic of safety rules or to other vessels in the lakes, rivers and bays. And when the waterways become overcrowded, they become especially dangerous.
Nearly 90 percent of boating fatalities occur when the person operating the boat did not have any boating safety instruction. Alcohol is commonly involved in boating accidents, when people who are drunk are in control of the boat. Other times, people will be driving too fast for the waters and cannot slow down, or they are driving too close to another boat at too great a speed. Other times, they are not observing the buoys and other signs that warn of shallow spots or staying away from swimming areas.
Many times, people are enjoying themselves so much that they are not watching the actual waters and thus, are failing to exercise good care in the operation of their watercraft. Others are on the waters at night, driving without lights or not wearing lifejackets.
Water sports, like boating, can become dangerous when people are drinking and horsing around on the beach, on docks or on water skis. The types of accidents that occur include diving in water that’s too shallow, falling off docks, getting caught in the weeds and drowning.
When a person dives into water that’s too shallow, the impact of hitting the sand may cause serious brain injury, broken necks, broken vertebra, spinal problems and other serious injuries.
When boats collide or operators and passengers are injured due to some other’s reckless, negligent and dangerous actions, a person can get caught in the motor, causing amputation of a body part. Swimmers and water skiers can drown after being hit by an oncoming boat whose driver was not paying attention. When boat crash victims are thrown into the water, the impact can cause a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, broken bones and other types of serious injury.
If you or a loved one suffered serious injury in a boating accident, the law firm of Metzger & Kleiner, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, can help. We provide a free initial consultation that will answer your questions and help you understand your rights. To schedule an appointment with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney, contact us by e-mail or call our office at 215-622-2210 in Philadelphia, 610-563-2186 in the Lehigh Valley, or toll free at 800-228-1760.
We represent clients involved in all types of accident injury claims on a contingency basis, including claims involving serious boating accidents. We won’t charge attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your losses.
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