Cleveland Boat Accident Lawyer

What Causes Most Boat Collisions?

Boat crashes can lead to absolutely devastating consequences, including serious, permanent injury or even death. Most recreational boating accidents are a result of collisions; whether that’s a boat-on-boat collision, boat-on-person collision, or a boat colliding with submerged objects or other types of property (dock, pier, bridge, etc.). Some of the most common causes of these kinds of collisions include:

Boat Operator Inattention

Boat operators have a duty to those on their vessel as well as others in the water to operate the boat safely and in accordance with all boating laws and regulations. This includes paying attention to the path in front of and all around them, as well as paying attention to the safety and wellbeing of others who may be aboard the boat.

Operating Under the Influence

Bodies of water have laws in place just like roadways, meaning operating a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited. Unfortunately, many people disregard these laws and decide to drive a boat while impaired, often leading to disastrous results.

Excessive Speed

Perhaps one of the most common causes of boating accidents is due to excessive speeding. According to Ohio’s boating laws, no person should operate a boat “at a rate of speed or in a manner so as to endanger any person, vessel, or property.”  Failure to do so can result in accidents such as passengers or boat equipment being thrown off into the water, the operator losing control of the boat, and/or the inability to stop or avoid collisions, to name a few.

Reckless Operation by Other Boaters

Just as it is important that your own boat operator obeys boating laws and ensures safe boating practices, other boaters on the water owe the same duty of care. Negligent operation of a boat, including speeding, jumping waves, driving too close to other boaters, and other acts of negligence can lead to a devastating maritime accident.

Equipment Failure

Just like cars, boats are complex pieces of machinery that require regular maintenance to remain working in prime condition. Failure to do so could lead to an integral part of the boat’s operation malfunctioning. In other cases, the boat may have been defective to begin with due to poor design or construction.

Hazardous Conditions

Hazardous conditions can refer to anything from poor weather to rough, bumpy water or even improper loading/overcrowding on a boat. When boat operators, owners, and passengers do not obey boating laws and safety regulations, serious and catastrophic injuries may occur.