Waterways can be just as dangerous as city streets, particularly when they are crowded. Without traffic lights or even lanes, boaters have to rely on one another to be cautious and conservative, always looking out for potential collisions and practicing safe boating at all times. Because when one boater isn’t safe, no one on the water is safe.
One recent accident shows just how dangerous boating can be. According to the Houston Chronicle, officials still haven’t recovered the driver of a pleasure craft that collided with a barge on the Intracoastal Waterway near Sabine Lake on July 7.
The barge was being pushed by a tugboat at the time of the accident. The tugboat captain contacted the Coast Guard following the collision. They responded and found the man’s smaller boat under water but have still not been able to locate him. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Boating can be dangerous. Whether alcohol, speed, or just plain carelessness is involved, boating can be deadly.
As a boater or a boat passenger, wearing a life preserver could save you in the event of a collision. Drowning after being thrown overboard is the leading cause of boating deaths, and this can be prevented with the use of a life preserver.
As a boat captain, you have a responsibility to keep the people on your vessel (including yourself) free from harm. This can be done by maintaining safe speeds, not drinking and boating, and being hyper-aware of your surroundings. Remember, just because you are practicing strict safety doesn’t mean everyone else is.
Debris in the water, another boat, swimmers, or recreational water vehicles can all be the cause of an accident. Spotting these obstacles and avoiding them is the best thing you can do to stay accident-free when you’re on the water.
Also, whether you are a boat captain or a passenger, know you have rights. If you are involved in an accident and the accident wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Just as in a car accident, the offending boater can be held responsible for the injuries that are the result of his or her carelessness.
Houston Boat Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in a boating or a car accident, contact the Houston accident attorney Kevin Krist today. Call 832-924-3178 to discuss what happened and how he may be able to help.
