Jun 21, 2012 | Boating Accidents, Uncategorized
According to WIS, the Lexington County Coroner determined that the first man to die on Lake Murray this year had a blood alcohol level over 4 times the legal limit, 0.33%. For reference, death from alcohol poisoning is possible at any BAC above 0.30%
The 49 year old man was piloting a personal watercraft when he crashed near Bomb Island on the evening of June 8. He had apparently hit an object in the water and was thrown off of his PWC.
Although he was wearing a life jacket, the autopsy revealed that he had drowned. As sad as this story is, we can be grateful that this individual did not strike another boat or hit a swimmer in the water. Please be safe this summer. Don’t risk your life and the lives of others. Have fun. But get back home to your family.
Experienced Attorneys in your time of need
Whether you need help with a boating accident claim or your BUI, the experienced attorneys at Reeves, Aiken & Hightower are ready to fight for you. Browse our website, and compare our credentials with those of attorneys at any other firm. Then, call us at 877-374-5999 or contact us at this link for a private consultation. Our practice spans the Carolinas, we can come to you.
Jun 20, 2012 | Boating Accidents, Uncategorized
Reckless Actions
Some actions are deemed so reckless that they may excuse other damage and injury from boat operators whether the actions are intentional or not.
- Bow riding.
- Damage caused by the wake of his/her boat. (Know the location of no wake zones and what minimum distances you are allowed to operate a boat near docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps and people in the water.)
- Not carrying the required safety equipment.
- Crossing hazardous inlets and bars.
- Excessive speed for the conditions.
Slow-No Wake Zones and Other Restrictions
Boaters who ignore the boating regulation may open themselves up to liability. In “Slow-No wake” zones vessels must either, travel at or below idle speed, or, at such speed that the boat or its wake is not sufficient to cause possible injury or damage to other persons, boats, or property.
Vessels also must not be used, operated, or anchored in such a way that interferes with or blocks vessel traffic in designated channels.
Personal watercraft (PWC) operators may not become airborne while crossing the wake of another motorboat and within 100 feet of that motorboat. PWC must not be operated at greater than slow – no wake speed within 50 feet of any other vessel, PWC or person in the water.
When Things Go Wrong
While being on the water is great fun, it sometimes goes terribly wrong. When it goes wrong and you or someone you love is injured, contact the experienced boat accident attorneys at Reeves, Aiken & Hightower. Compare our credentials to those of attorneys at any other firm, and then call us at 877-374-5999 or contact us at this link for a private consultation. We are here for you.
Jun 19, 2012 | Boating Accidents, Uncategorized
The National Traffic Safety Board reports that 24% of personal watercraft (PWC) accidents are caused by steering problems or loss of control. This makes steering and loss of control one of the leading causes of PWC accidents.
One of the reasons for these problems is the method of steering for PWC’s. Most PWCs are “jet boats,” driven by steerable nozzles. These nozzles are connected to a jet pump that propels the water at speed fast enough to drive the craft. Instead of having a traditional rudder, PWCs merely have the jet nozzle. The problem with this is that when you slow down you get less steering. You turn faster when the throttle is turned higher. You turn more slowly if at all when the throttle is all the way off.
The theory is that, especially inexperienced boaters, will either not account for this effect or be unable to avoid collision because of it.
The experienced personal watercraft accident attorneys at Reeves, Aiken, & Hightower know how to best handle the aftermath of your PWC accident. Browse our website, compare our credentials to those of attorneys at any other firm, and contact us toll free at 877-374-5999 or by filling out this internet form. We will fight for you.
Jun 18, 2012 | Boating Accidents, Uncategorized
With more and more boats on the water, it isn’t surprising that there are an increasing number of boating accidents. It is estimated that recreational and commercial boating has nearly tripled over the last decade, with over 14 million boats and personal watercraft currently registered in the United States today. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there are currently over 8,600 boat crashes each year, and these accidents leave over 900 people dead and almost 4,500 seriously injured.
Powerboats are the most common in these accidents, especially speed boats, cabin cruisers and jet skis, although sailboats hold their own dangers.
Personal injury most often results from the trauma from the collision itself or from propellers.
The most common causes of boating accidents include:
- Capsizing
- Sinking or flooding
- Falls overboard
- Collisions
- Fire
- Explosions
- Disappearance
- Bad weather conditions
- Driver error
Any time you have gotten injured in a boating accident, as with any accident, it is probably best to seek medical attention. In event of an injury that is not treated immediately after an accident, defendants will try to argue that the accident was not the cause or sole cause of your injuries.
An experienced boating accident attorney like those at Reeves, Aiken, & Hightower can help you if you have been injured in a boating accident involving:
- Recklessness of other boaters
- Impaired boaters – boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Water skiing accidents
- Jet ski accidents
- Personal watercraft
- Recklessness of other boaters
- Overcrowding conditions
- Failure to provide personal floatation devices
- Speeding
- Any other violations of state boating laws
Browse our website, compare our credentials to those of any firm, and call us at 877-374-5999 or email us for a free private consultation.
Jun 15, 2012 | Boating Accidents, Car Accidents, Uncategorized
Everybody knows what they are supposed to do if they’ve been in a car wreck, but after an accident on the lake or river, you might find yourself asking “what do I do after a boating accident?”
The answer on water turns out to be not too different from the answer on land. If you are the operator of the boat you must:
- Stop your vessel as soon as you can do so safely at the scene of the incident,
- Assist anyone injured in the incident, unless doing so would endanger your vessel or your passengers,
- Give in writing your name, address, vessel identification to anyone who was injured or had property damaged in the incident, and
- Report the incident to the Department of Natural Resources, if the accident occurred in South Carolina.
Of course, the ramifications of the boating accident do not end at the scene. If you were injured in a boating accident, it may very well be in your interest to seek the counsel of an experienced boating accident attorney to determine what you may be entitled to. Boating accidents are a very serious matter, and just like the more common car accident, insurance companies are never eager to compensate accident victims.
The boating accident attorneys of Reeves Aiken & Hightower LLP know how to deal with serious boating accident cases and are ready to fight for you. We encourage you to examine our credentials and experience and compare us to any other firm. You can then call us toll-free at 877-374-5999 for a private, confidential consultation to review your particular case.
