San Jose Boat Accident Lawyer

Boating is a popular and enjoyable recreational activity for many San Jose residents, as well as for many visitors to the city and to the Bay Area more generally. Yet boating accidents may be more common than you think, and it is important to know that there are many hazards associated with boating. When a boat accident does happen in California, it is critical to work with a lawyer to determine the cause of the accident and liability for any injuries so that you can move forward quickly with a claim for financial compensation. Contact our experienced San Jose boat accident lawyer today for more information about how we can assist you.

Getting the Facts About San Jose Boat Accidents

Did you know that there are thousands of boating accidents every year that result in thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities? According to data from the US Coast Guard, in 2023 alone, there were a total of 3,844 boating accidents across the country. Of those accidents, the US Coast Guard identified 2,126 injuries and 564 deaths. As you can see, the fatality rate in boating accidents is very high.

It is not always possible to determine with certainty the cause of boating accident fatality, but in cases where the cause of death can be identified, the majority involve drowning. To be sure, the US Coast Guard reports that about 75 percent of boating deaths are victims who drowned, and 87 percent of those drowning victims were not wearing life jackets.

Common Causes of Boat Accidents in San Jose

There are many different causes of boat accidents in San Jose. The US Coast Guard cites the following as the most common causes of boating accidents and collisions:

• Alcohol consumption, which is a contributing factor in a majority of fatal boating accidents and the primary factor in 17 percent of fatal boat accidents;
• Lack of vessel operator safety instruction, or operator inexperience;
• Being struck by a propeller;
• Vessel operator inattention or distraction;
• Improper lookout;
• Speeding;
• Machinery failure, including vessel defects;
• Violations of navigation rules;
• Slips and falls onboard the vessel;
• Collisions with objects or other vessels;
• Groundings, or running ashore;
• Capsizing due to hazardous waters; and
• Inclement weather.

The most common types of injuries that result from these accidents include drowning, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), cuts and lacerations and other forms of physical trauma, cardiac arrest, and hypothermia. Boat accident injuries can affect passengers onboard vessels, as well as swimmers or water sports enthusiasts in the water.

Our San Jose Boat Accident Lawyers Can Help

When a boat accident happens and someone gets hurt, it is critical to determine the cause of the boating accident and who is liable for injuries. Negligent vessel operators are often responsible for boat accidents that occur in the San Jose area, but there are other parties who can be liable, too. For example, the owner of a vessel who failed to have it properly maintained, the owner of a boat rental company, the mechanic who worked on the vessel, or the designer or manufacturer of a defective boat component could all bear some responsibility depending on the facts of the case. Contact our experienced San Jose boat accident lawyer today to find out more about your options for filing a claim.

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