Boating Accident Lawyer in Plano, Texas

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Boat Injury Cases in Plano

There are 78 million boaters in the United States with many types of boats including recreational boats such as powerboats and sail boats, race boats and even boats for the commercial transportation of goods and raw materials. In the state of Texas, boating is very a very popular activity and boasts more than 621,000 registered boats according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Boating Injuries

Having this many boats and infinitely more boaters, the probability of boating injuries is high. In fact, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 3,358 people were injured in 2009 alone, and 736 of those injuries resulted in death. Of those who were killed, 7 out of 10 fatalities resulted from drowning while 90% of those who drowned died as a result of failing to wear a life jacket. Every year, there are many accidents, injuries and fatalities related to boating. The most common causes of boating accidents and deaths include the following:

Operator error – seven out of ten boating accidents result from operator error. The state of Texas requires all boat operators complete a certified boater safety course before operating a boat on Texas waterways if they were born after September 1, 1993. Additionally, all motorized boats and sailboats fourteen feet and longer must be licensed prior to operation on Texas waterways.
Drowning – almost always caused by the boater’s failure to wear a life jacket (90% of drowning victims were not wearing one). Wearing a life jacket can save your life – they should be worn at all times, by everyone aboard.
Drinking – alcohol consumption can impair judgment, vision, balance and coordination, and is involved in nearly one third of all boating accidents and fatalities. In fact, alcohol is the leading cause of boating accidents in the U.S. according to the CDC. Oddly enough, not all accidents occur when a boat is moving; nearly 46% of alcohol-related boating accidents occur when the boat is docked, anchored or drifting.
Carbon monoxide poisoning – carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas that can kill in a matter of minutes and is attributed to many boat-related fatalities.
Propeller injuries – motor boats with propellers can cause severe, life-threatening injuries when passing over swimmers or passengers who have fallen overboard. Propellers cause deep lacerations leading to severe blood loss, loss of limbs, and often death.
Defective equipment – failure to maintain equipment such as navigation lights, visual distress signal devices, fire extinguishers, and flotation devices can lead to preventable injuries.

Have You Been Injured in a Boating Accident?

John (Jack) Zinda

Founder / CEO

Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.

Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation

If you have been injured in a boating accident, whether due to operator error, a propeller injury or defective equipment, the attorneys at Zinda Law Group can help you. Our caring and compassionate attorneys have many years of experience handling boating injury claims and we can get your claim paid. We will zealously fight to protect your rights to receive appropriate medical care, lost wages and compensation for your injuries. Call us today at (800) 863-5312 to speak one of our knowledgeable attorneys. The call and the consultation are free, so call us today.