Summerville Boat Accident Lawyer
Recreational boating is an extremely popular activity among residents of Summerville and visitors to the area alike. Across South Carolina waterways, boaters enjoy activities that involve time out on the water for relaxation, fishing, waterskiing, and more. Yet boating accidents are also common and can be serious and deadly. When boating accidents occur, they often result from another party’s negligence. If you or someone you love got hurt while boating and you believe another party may be liable, it is important to seek legal help. Contact our experienced Summerville boat accident lawyer today.
Summerville Boat Accidents: Facts and Figures
From lake boating north of Summerville to boating on rivers and waterways into the Atlantic toward Charleston, boating is popular. Indeed, as the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources emphasizes, the state has “an abundance of water resources with 8,000 miles of river, 460,000 acres of lakes, and 3,000 miles of coastline.” While the range of water and boating options in South Carolina are vast, there are also many boating accidents that occur. The following are some key facts and figures concerning boat accidents and injuries from the United States Coast Guard:
- More than 4,000 boating accidents occurred nationwide in 2022, and those accidents resulted in 2,222 reported injuries and 636 fatalities;
- About 75 percent of boat accident fatalities result from drowning, and approximately 85 percent of those victims were not wearing life jackets at the time they went overboard;
- Leading contributing factor to boating accidents is alcohol use and intoxication;
- Nearly three-quarters of all fatal boating accidents occur on vessels where the operator does not have a nationally approved safety education certificate;
- About 75 percent of all serious and fatal boat accident injuries occur on smaller vessels that are less than 21 feet long;
- Collisions are the leading cause of boat accidents, including collisions involving multiple vessels, as well as collisions with objects; and
- Motorboats are the most common type of vessel cited in accidents involving nonfatal and fatal injuries.
Common Causes of Summerville Boat Accidents
Nearly all boat accidents are preventable, and most of them result from another party’s negligence or reckless behavior. The United States Coast Guard cites the following as the leading causes of boat injuries and crashes:
- Alcohol use;
- Operator inattention;
- Operator inexperience;
- Improper looking;
- Speeding; and
- Machinery failure.
Filing a Claim for a Summerville Boat Accident
The steps you will need to take to file a boat accident claim in Summerville will depend on the specific facts of your case, including where the boating accident occurred and how it happened. An experienced injury attorney in Summerville can assess your case today to help you understand your options and to assist you as you move forward with a claim for financial compensation.
Contact The Stanley Law Group Today
Were you injured in a boating accident in South Carolina? It may be possible to file a claim for compensation, especially if you are able to determine liability with assistance from an injury lawyer. Contact our experienced Summerville boat accident lawyer today to find out more about your options for seeking compensation for your boating accident losses.
