When Do Most Boating Accidents Occur?

Boating accidents can be serious and devastating occurrences. Hundreds of people suffer injuries due to operator negligence, equipment failure, inappropriate passenger behavior, and other contributing factors each year. Many of these accidents are fatal.

Many boating accidents occur during the summer months or during holidays, according to data from the United States Coast Guard. If you are in an accident in Portland, you may have the right to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.

Statistics on Recreational Boating Accidents

According to a report by the United States Coast Guard, the majority of boating accidents in 2019 occurred in July. That month, a total of 1,002 accidents occurred in U.S. waters, resulting in 119 deaths. June was the second-most common month for boating accidents in 2019, with 103 fatal accidents and 579 non-fatal accidents occurring during that time.

In contrast, the U.S. saw the lowest number of boating accidents in December 2019, with 86 total accidents and 16 deaths. January and February both saw 87 boating accidents, resulting in 16 and 17 deaths respectively.

Time of day also factors into when boating accidents occur. According to Coast Guard data, the majority of 2019 boating accidents occurred between 2:31 pm to 4:30 pm. 858 accidents occurred during this time period, resulting in 96 deaths. However, accidents that occurred between 4:31 pm and 6:30 pm saw the most deaths, with 106 reported deaths during this time period.

Common Causes of Boating Accidents

Many factors contribute to boating accidents, from negligence on behalf of people aboard the vessel to inclement weather and water conditions. According to statistics from the Coast Guard, the following factors contributed to the most accidents in 2019.

• Improper lookout
• Operator inexperience, recklessness, or distraction
• The use of alcohol or drugs while operating a boat
• Poor weather conditions
• Equipment failure
• Inappropriate passenger behavior
• Navigational rules violations

If you suffer injuries in a boating accident, you may be eligible to hold the at-fault party accountable through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. However, you will need to identify the exact cause of the accident to file your claim. Once you are able to establish who was at fault, you can begin building your case for compensation.

How to Prove a Boating Accident Claim

To secure compensation in a boating lawsuit or insurance claim, you will need to prove that the at-fault party’s negligence caused your accident and subsequent injuries. During the insurance process, you will need to provide sufficient evidence to the insurance company to prove the other party’s fault. If you are filing a lawsuit, you will need to establish four key elements.

• The at-fault party owed you a duty of care.
• The at-fault party breached his or her duty of care.
• The breach of duty directly caused your injuries.
• You suffered damages that you can collect in your lawsuit.

If the accident occurred due to defective equipment or vessel parts, you could file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer, distributor, and other parties along the supply chain. To prove your right to compensation, you will need to prove the following facts.

• You suffered an injury or losses.
• The product was defective.
• The defect caused your injuries.
• You were using the product as the manufacturer intended.

Proving a boating accident claim can be complex. You may need investigatory resources, expert witnesses, and other important information to establish the at-fault party’s liability. In these situations, a boating accident attorney in Portland can help. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case and legal options.