Pursuing Personal Injury Claims For Boating Accidents
Going out on your boat for a fun-filled day is relaxing. When warmer weather comes around, you, your friends, and your family are looking forward to those days out in the sun while riding on the water. Unfortunately, the fun can come to a sudden halt when a boating accident occurs.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 85 boating accidents reported in Oregon in 2016, and 19 fatalities. Washington had 106 boating accidents reported and 17 fatalities resulted from crashes in 2016. The statistics indicated that many of the accident victims were not wearing life jackets, and many of the boaters didn’t have boating education.
Many of the boating accidents are caused by alcohol consumption and marijuana use. Consuming just one alcoholic drink on the water feels the same as consuming three while on the land, the Oregon State Marine Board reports. While vision and balance are worsened, riding in a boat in the sun with wind and noise along with movement will magnify the impairment.
If an individual is impaired or intoxicated, he or she is much more likely to inhale the water when they fall into the body of water. Individuals with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or higher can be charged with boating under the influence of intoxicants. Many people are injured by falling when boarding a boat or slipping off a dock.
If a boating accident in the Portland/Vancouver Metro area has left you with injuries and damages, consult with the experienced Harlan Law Firm, which provides personal injury representation after boating accidents. You only have a limited time to file a personal injury claim after a boating accident, so don’t delay getting the help that you need.