Brooklyn Heights Boat Accident Attorney

Incidents on the waterways are not something many people think about unless a tragic story shows up on the news. And then, the stories only cover events with major loss of life. However, boating accidents injure people all the time. In many cases, these incidents occur on watercraft that are rented or chartered. There are many ways in which another person’s negligence can cause a boating incident, including some of the following:

• Hitting a big wave or wake at a high speed
• Operating a boat in inclement weather
• Operating the watercraft at unsafe speeds
• Not having the necessary safety equipment on board
• Collisions with other boats or fixed objects in the water or the shore
• Overcrowding on the boat or overloading it with cargo
• Passengers coming into contact with the boat’s propellers

There are times when boat operators make the choice to control the watercraft while impaired by alcohol. The blood alcohol limit for boaters in Ohio is the same as it is for vehicle drivers – .08%. Under no circumstances should anyone operate a boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Companies and individual boat owners must regularly inspect and maintain their craft when they will be using them with guests.