A day on the water is a common pastime when you live in the sportsman’s paradise. Louisiana is home to many beautiful bodies of water. Residents frequently spend time on the water doing activities such as fishing, swimming, water-skiing, wakeboarding or even just riding around in a boat. However, with these popular leisure activities comes the risk of boating accidents.
According to KPLC, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has identified the victim in a boating accident at the Cameron Jetties on Saturday, July 29, 2017, who was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The crash occurred just before sunrise Saturday morning when a boat carrying five passengers hit a jetty off the coast of Cameron Parish. The cause of the crash is being investigated by LDWF and Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office. Several others in the crash were injured with one other person listed in critical condition; they are being treated at a Lafayette area hospital.
Boating accidents can occur in several ways:
- two boats colliding
- a boat hitting a wave
- a boat hitting another boat’s wake
- a boat hitting a submerged object such as a log or rock
- a boat colliding with land or a dock
Boating accidents are similar to car accidents. Most boating accidents are the result of negligence or impairment of a driver. If you were involved in a boating accident due to the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to damages to cover the costs of medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) reported 4,158 accidents in 2015. 626 deaths resulted from these accidents. There was also $42 million in property damages reported that same year due to recreational boating accidents. According to the USCG, 71% of boating deaths occurred on boats whose operator did not complete a boating safety course.
Common causes of boating accidents include:
- Careless operation
- Excessive speed
- Operator impairment
- Weather
- Hazards in the water
Our experienced attorney handles both personal injury and maritime injury claims and will use this experience to determine the laws, statutes, theories, and jurisdictions applicable to your claim. With our office located in Louisiana, our Shreveport accident attorneys have a firm understanding of these laws because of the high occurrence of boating accidents and related maritime injuries that can occur from the fishing and boating industries here.
Federal, state and international maritime laws each have their own regulations regarding boating accidents. As a result, building a claim to receive compensation can be a complicated process. With the evidence we are able to collect from your case, we can establish who will be held liable for your losses, depending on the body of water where the accident occurred as well as the type of accident. Failing to file your claim within Louisiana’s statute of limitations for personal injuries may leave you unable to recover compensation for your injuries.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of a boating accident resulting in personal injury, up to and including death, please contact an expert boating accident lawyer in Shreveport, Louisiana at The Greenwald Law Firm for a free consultation to understand and weigh your available options today.
