Discovering one of Michigan's Great Lakes is the most fun way to spend a beautiful day. There are a total of four lakes. Unfortunately, these lakes are popular with boaters, which increases the potential that you will be involved in a mishap while out on the water.

Because of the size of many vessels and the specifics of the collision, these types of accidents virtually always have the potential to result in someone's death. This website answers, "What is the most common cause of fatal boating accidents?"

If you were wounded in a boating accident or a member of your family was killed in a boating-related tragedy, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

Personal injury attorneys in the state of Michigan will investigate your claim to determine who is responsible for your injuries or the death of a loved one.

What is the Primary Cause of Boating Fatalities?

Boaters die more often from collisions than from any other cause. You could hit other boats or watercraft, people swimming, or even things that aren't moving.

If a diver crashes into a fast-moving boat, they will almost certainly take serious injuries that could kill them. If a boat hits another boat or watercraft, there is a good chance that someone will get seriously hurt or even die.

When a boat hits a fixed object, like a pier or a reef, the impact could hurt someone, and if the ship sinks, the person could die.

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Boating Accidents?

Every year, several boat accidents occur, and while many circumstances contribute, most incidents exhibit common characteristics and might have been avoided if the operator had taken extra care. The most common causes of recreational boating accidents are as follows:

1. Operator Idleness:

According to the US Coast Guard, the leading contributing factor in watercraft accidents is operator inattention. While on the water, operators must put safety first. While boating with friends and family is a lot of fun, it's critical to stay aware of your surroundings while the boat is moving.

2. Inexperienced operator:

Boat operators must be conversant not only with boating legislation but also with the characteristics of the vessel they intend to use on the water. Taking a boater education course is a great way to get started and learn how to operate a boat safely. Completing the course not only offers an understanding of all of the boating rules and regulations but it also saves money on insurance.

3. Incorrect Watching:

This includes both failing to designate a lookout and failing to keep a close check on the boat's surroundings, which includes being mindful of shoaling areas, unusual tides, powerlines, and pilings. If someone in the party is involved in water sports such as water skiing, tubing, or wakeboarding, the lookout must correctly inform any nearby vessels that someone is in the water.

4. Careless Driving, Passengers or Skiers:

Anyone on board a boat who acts recklessly can face severe punishment. Overcrowding the boat might result in capsizing in extreme situations. People falling overboard are the second largest cause of fatal boating accidents. Thus, everyone must take caution when out on the water.

5. Inadequate Upkeep:

Boats, like any other vehicle, necessitate routine maintenance. Failure to properly maintain the vessel can result in collisions or capsizing. Engine or steering problems can result in serious injuries, and not having the proper equipment onboard, such as life preservers, navigation lights, or flares, can aggravate an already dangerous scenario.

6. Equipment Breakdown:

Manufacturers must ensure that their products are safe for everyday use. If a product is defective or dangerous, numerous regulations require manufacturers to fulfill a "strict liability" requirement for any ensuing injuries.

This standard, unlike negligence or intent to damage, does not require a plaintiff to demonstrate such factors. Instead, the law allows a person who has been wounded to seek compensation by establishing that a maker has breached its obligation.

7. Speeding:

Although an open body of water is the ideal location for testing a boat's speed, slower speeds allow for better visibility of other ships, hazards, and impediments. Excessive speeding frequently results in capsizing, falls overboard, and significant bodily harm to the persons involved.

Boaters are required by law to slow their speed while near the coastline or anchored vessels. These guidelines are in place for everyone's safety and must be strictly followed.

8. Alcohol Consumption:

Boaters and drivers are subject to the same BAC laws. Operating a boat with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than 0.08 is a criminal offense. It's usual for individuals to drink beer while boating, but just because it's not a car doesn't mean the driver is protected from drunk driving regulations.

9. Weather circumstances that are poor and dangerous:

Boating is a favorite summer sport, but it is also when most boating accidents occur, particularly among visitors.

Furthermore, adverse weather, such as strong winds, can generate hazardous waters, and venturing out in such conditions can be dangerous, especially for rookie operators. Going out in lousy weather raises the risk of a boating disaster.

10. Other Non-Fatal Boating Injuries:

Even if a person is not submerged in a boating accident, they are nonetheless at risk of developing post-natal injuries. Those who drown but are resuscitated and rescued may still suffer from hypothermia, pneumonia, brain injury, cerebral hypoxia, coma, fluid imbalances, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

All of these are serious difficulties, but the injuries that might result from having your brain's oxygen supply cut off can cause long-term damage for which there are no proven treatments. In severe cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome, the airways in a person's lungs swell and fill with fluid, potentially leading to hypoxia and death.

Other injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, bruised or punctured organs, broken bones, and burns, can be sustained in a boating accident as a result of accidents or impacts. Other injuries that can occur in a boating accident include fractured bones, burns, and shattered bones.

What Laws Apply to Boating Accidents:

Since the rules governing boating can differ from place to place, the location of the incident is a significant factor in determining which laws apply to the incident.

In addition to complying with federal and international marine rules, it is also necessary to comply with the regulations and legislation of the relevant state.

However, accidents that take place in smaller bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers, are usually governed by municipal and state laws rather than maritime regulations, which are only applicable to activities that take place at sea or in international waters. An accident on open water must be reported in almost all cases.

How to Prevent Fatal Boating Accidents:

To keep people from getting hurt or killed while swimming, the best thing you can do is take steps to avoid accidents. There are times when it's wise to make sure that the person steering the boat has the proper license. Making sure there are enough flotation devices on board and that all of the people wear life jackets at all times is also very important.

The person driving the boat shouldn't be high or drunk, and they should also follow all the standard safety rules for ships. Another good safety tip for boats is to be ready for an accident.

In addition, if someone needs help, having the right tools, like cell phones, radios, and signaling devices, is helpful. And having a first-aid kit with you cuts down on the time it takes to get medical help quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the most common types of boating accidents?

Collisions are the most prevalent type of boating accident. These incidents can occur due to two boats colliding or a single watercraft colliding with a stationary object, a swimmer, or running aground. Because boat passengers are rarely secured, they can be ejected from the boat, drowning, or hit a portion of the ship, causing major contact injuries.

Q2. Where do the majority of boating accidents happen?

The Pacific Ocean is the scene of most boating accidents in California, with Newport Harbor and San Diego Bay being the two most prevalent. The Colorado River is the second most common location for boating accidents.

Conclusion:

To summarize, most fatal boating accidents are caused by a combination of circumstances. Human error, particularly inexperienced operators, impaired boating due to drinking or drugs, and irresponsible behavior, is a significant factor.

Accidents can also be caused by environmental factors such as inclement weather. In addition, a lack of sufficient safety equipment and a failure to follow navigation rules raise the danger of deadly occurrences on the water.

Education and awareness initiatives, as well as proper boating practices, are critical to preventing these deaths and maintaining safer waterways for all boaters.