Boating, when proper care is taken, is a fairly safe activity, but you still might wonder what the most dangerous boats on the water are. The most accident prone watercraft in order are:
- Open motorboats – 2,220 deaths and injuries per year
- Personal Watercraft (PWC) – 1,049 deaths and injuries per year
- Cabin Motorboats – 336 deaths and injuries per year
- Canoes and Kayaks – 200 deaths and injuries per year
- Pontoon Boats – 127 deaths and injuries per year
The most dangerous contributing factors were found to be (although 1860 annual deaths and injuries were attributable to other causes):
- Operator inattention – 628 deaths and injuries per year
- Careless Operation – 552 deaths and injuries per year
- Passenger or Skier Behavior – 492 deaths and injuries per year
- Excessive Speed – 473 deaths and injuries per year
- Alcohol – 391 deaths and injuries per year
The most dangerous bodies of water, as measured by number of accidents, were:
- Lakes, ponds, reservoir, dams, and gravel pits – 2,409 annual accidents (340 deaths/1,814 injuries)
- Rivers, streams, and creeks – 1,088 annual accidents (153 deaths/845 injuries
- Bays, inlets, sounds, and harbors – 657 annual accidents (75 deaths/407 injuries)
- Open water – 138 annual accidents (51 deaths/149 injuries)
- The Great Lakes – 106 annual accidents (34 deaths/64 injuries)
The source of all of these statistics is the US Coast Guard Boating Safety Accident Report.
Boating Accident Lawyers
When you’ve been in a boating accident, the experienced boat accident 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.