Taking your boat out on the lake during a Texas summer day is the perfect way to relax with friends and family, but it can also be very dangerous.
In 2012, the U.S. Coast Guard counted 4,515 boating accidents that involved 651 deaths, 3,000 injuries and approximately $38 million dollars of damage to property because of recreational boating accidents. To help protect your loved ones, here are four tips on how to prevent boating accidents:
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Wear a life jacket: According to the U.S. Coast Guard, almost 71 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, almost 85 percent were not wearing a life jacket. Even if you know how to swim you should wear a life jacket because it can help keep you afloat if you are injured, too weak to swim or shocked by cold water.
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Attend a boating safety course: Since operator errors account for 70 percent of boating accidents, it’s vital that anyone driving the boat has attended a boating safety course. The U.S. Coast Guard has a list of boating safety courses to choose from that teach aspects of boating safety such as boat handling, reading the weather and navigational skills.
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Don’t drink and drive: One of the leading causes of deadly boating accidents is because of drinking and driving. It is illegal to operate a boat under the influence of alcohol in every state. Make sure there is always a designated driver on every boat you ride on.
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Keep your boat maintained: Even if you are a safe driver, if your boat isn’t running well it can cause boating accidents. You can get a free vessel safety check done even in your own driveway to make sure your boat is running properly and is in compliance with all boating laws.
After doing all you can to prevent boating accidents, you can still become a victim of one due to the negligence of someone else. If you or a loved one were harmed in a Texas boating accident, you deserve compensation. Contact the experienced Dallas boating accident lawyers at Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP today and set-up your free, no-obligation consultation.
