Recreational activities such as boating and jet skiing are a great way to pass the time, relax or get an adrenaline rush. San Diego is the ideal place for just about every type of recreational vehicle and activity. While activities involving recreational vehicles or boats can be lots of fun, they can turn deadly in a second if something goes wrong. In fact, the United States Coast Guard counted 4,515 boating accidents in the U.S. that resulted in 651 deaths and 3,000 injuries in 2012, according to 2012 recreational boating statistics published by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Being involved in a recreational vehicle or boating accident can have severe consequences, both emotionally and physically. If you’ve been injured in a recreational vehicle or boating accident, you are encouraged to seek counsel from a boating accident lawyer in San Diego immediately.

Injuries From Recreational Vehicle and Boating Accidents.

Recreational vehicle and boating accidents can cause a variety of injuries that range in severity. While some injuries are minor, others can be serious, long-lasting and even deadly. The most common types of recreational vehicle and boating injuries include:

Fractures
Internal injuries
Head injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Cardiac arrest
Hypothermia
Lacerations, bruises or skin burns
Limb injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Drowning that leads to brain damage or death

Of these, drowning is one of the most common types of injures that result from boating accidents. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that from the years 2005 to 2009, there was an average of 3,880 deaths from unintentional drowning (including both boating incidents and nonboating incidents).

When an accident occurs and results in a serious injury, there may be a negligent party responsible for what happened. If your accident was caused by someone else’s actions, they may be liable for your injuries and losses.

Causes of Recreational Vehicle and Boating Injuries.

According to the United States Coast Guard, the top 10 known contributing factors of incidents in 2012 were:

Violation of navigation/boating rules
Improper lookout
Operator inexperience
Operator inattention
Machinery failure
Speeding
Alcohol use
Poor weather conditions
Force of wake/wave
Hazardous waters

The majority of recreational boating accidents in 2012 involved open motorboats, personal watercrafts, cabin motorboats and pontoons.

Liability: A Boating Accident Lawyer in San Diego Explains.

In most cases, the operator of the recreational vehicle or boat will be liable for your accident in the case that he or she acted negligently and if that negligence was the direct cause of the accident. In some cases, factors such as intoxicated operation of watercraft are immediately deemed negligent behavior. Additionally, if your injury was due to an equipment malfunction, your accident may fall under product liability law, or the duty that a manufacturer has toward consumers to provide a product that is safe for use and hazard-free.

If you think your accident was preventable and was the result of someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior, seek the assistance of an experienced California personal injury attorney immediately. In California, the statute of limitations for pursuing a personal injury case is two years from the date of injury.

Do You Believe You Have a Case?

If you’ve been injured in a recreational vehicle or boating accident, or if you have lost a family member in an accident, consider seeking legal assistance as soon as possible. A boating accident lawyer in our San Diego office can help prove negligence and recover damages in the form of medical expenses, lost wages, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and more.

At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, our attorneys are ready to answer your questions. If you need legal help, don’t hesitate any longer. To get started on filing your claim, call us today at 619-369-3323 or contact us online.

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