Boating Accident Attorneys Chula Vista

If you are one of the numerous Chula Vista residents who enjoy indulging in a water sports-related hobby on a regular basis, you will be familiar with just how outstanding the waterways of San Diego County are for boating, waterskiing, sailing, and other aquatic leisure pursuits. San Diego Bay and Mission Bay, in particular, offer some of the best boating opportunities in California, and hundreds of thousands of people take advantage of this every year.

Did you know that there are almost one million water vessels registered in California? Regardless of how stunning the surroundings may be, having such a large volume of water traffic means that, in addition to fantastic facilities, there is also a relatively high risk of being involved in a boating accident.

Boating Accidents in Chula Vista, San Diego County

According to the California Department of Boating and Waterways, a boating accident is defined as one where:

• A person dies or disappears
• Injuries are sustained, requiring medical treatment beyond basic first aid, or;
• Property damage worth more than $500 is caused to vessels, docks, or other property. This includes the complete loss of a vessel, or vessels

The United States Coast Guard have released figures stating that they handle around 4,789 recreational boating accidents per year, based on 2008 statistics. These 4,789 accidents included:

• 709 fatalities
• 3,331 injuries
• Approximately $54 million of property damage

Chula Vista Boating Accidents – Most Common Causes and Types

Using the figures published by the United States Coast Guard, it appears that the vessels most commonly involved in boating accidents are open motorboats, which account for 46% of incidents. Personal watercraft are involved in 22% of those boating accidents reported to the Coast Guard annually, with enclosed motorboats making up 14% of the total. When recreational watercraft are involved in a boating accident, the incident will generally involve one or more of the following:

• A passenger falling overboard
• Capsizing
• Collisions with another boat, or a stationary object
• Disappearance of either a boat or a passenger
• Explosions
• Fire
• Flooding
• Sinking

There are also some common causes of boating accident, many of which can be attributed to the inattention, inexperience, or negligence of a driver. While working as Chula Vista accident attorneys, we regularly encounter accidents caused by:

• Careless or reckless operation of a water vessel
• Driver failing to pay sufficient attention to their surroundings
• Insufficient lookout
• Inexperienced operators finding themselves unable to handle the vessel properly and safely
• Behavior of passengers, water-skiers, and those indulging in other water sports

How to Avoid a Chula Vista Boating Accident – Our Attorney’s Guide

While there is no way to guarantee that you will never be involved in a boating accident, following appropriate safety procedures can significantly reduce the risk. Our Chula Vista boating accident attorneys recommend that you do the following to stay safe:

• Ensure that everyone on-board wears a life jacket
• Do not drink alcohol while boating, nor enter a boat operated by a person who has imbibed alcohol
• Complete a boating safety course before taking charge of a water vessel
• Take proactive steps to ensure you and your passengers are safe – do not allow any potentially dangerous behavior
• Familiarize yourself with relevant boating regulations, and abide by them
• Travel at a safe speed
• Pay attention to your surroundings, maintaining a careful lookout
• Always tell a friend or relative where you are going, and when to expect you back

Injured in a Chula Vista Boating Accident? Speak to Us Today

If you have been injured, or suffered property damage, in a boating accident, you could benefit from the outstanding legal representation provided by the Chula Vista boat accident lawyers at Eugene Bruno & Associates. Call us today at 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688).