Sobering Recreational Boating Statistics
The Coast Guard tally of 4,158 accidents in 2015 resulted in 626 deaths and 2,613 injuries. This equated to approximately $42 million dollars in property damage. For a every 100,000 registered recreational vessels there were 5.3 deaths, a 1.9% increase over the previous year’s fatality rate.
Drowning accounted for 76% of the deaths and of that number only 15 percent were wearing life jackets. While any avoidable loss of life is tragic, sadly, twenty-two were children under the age of thirteen. Ten of these children were not wearing a life jacket because state law did not require it.
Whats more, an overwhelming 71% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had not received a nationally-approved boating safety education certificate. Operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, machinery failure, and excessive speed rank as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents, with alcohol use the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.
Our Lake Charles legal team understands the heartbreak and pain the victims family faces in the wake of a tragic boating accident. The legal process of pursuing compensation and justice may feel overwhelming, but you do not have to face this situation alone; call on our experienced legal team to help you in your time of need. N. Craig Richardson a Lake Charles Personal Injury Lawyer 337-381-5349.