Every spring and summer, you can find people on one of the many lakes and rivers in the Marshfield area. Relaxing on a boat is a great way to spend a day in the sun with family and friends. Unfortunately, a staggering number of accidents involving recreational boaters occur every year. These incidents can lead to severe injuries and fatalities.

If you or a loved family member suffered harm in a boating wreck, it is critical that you speak with a Marshfield boat accident lawyer. A seasoned personal injury attorney can help you review your legal options.

Kinds of Boating Accidents

Many different recreational boats share the waterways with commercial vessels. Some people prefer large vessels such as party boats and yachts, while others use motorboats, sailboats, canoes, dinghies, or kayaks. Different types of boats are more susceptible to certain types of accidents. Boating incidents can harm operators, passengers, and people swimming in the water. Some of the most common examples of boat accidents include:

  • Running aground
  • Colliding with another vessel
  • Capsizing
  • Passengers falling overboard
  • Injuries from water sports, such as jet skiing, tubing, and water skiing
  • Slipping on a wet boat deck
  • Colliding with swimmers
  • Propeller accidents and injuries

A skilled attorney in Marshfield can assess the details of a boat crash and figure out the best strategy for filing a claim.

How Does Negligence Contribute to Boat Crashes?

Most problems on the water occur because a boat operator is negligent, reckless, or careless. For instance, many boaters are more relaxed on the water than they would be behind the wheel of a car.

Drunk Boaters

When driving on land, most people are hesitant to drive drunk. For example, they know they cannot drive a car with an open container of beer in one hand. However, many people knowingly operate their boats while intoxicated. Boat drivers frequently hold a can of beer while chatting with their passengers. Being drunk can slow down reaction times and impair motor skills.

Distracted Boaters

Boat drivers often get too relaxed while out on the water. They might spend more time talking to passengers or looking at their phones and not enough time looking for oncoming boats or warning signs of approaching danger.

Fatigued Boaters

After a long day in the sun, people operating a boat can feel exhausted. This could impair or affect their ability to control their vessel safely.

Inexperienced Boaters

While Wisconsin requires certain boat operators to take a boating safety education course, not every person fulfills that requirement. In addition, the state does not regularly enforce this regulation. Because of this, many inexperienced boaters are unfamiliar with local waterways and their rules.

Reckless Boaters

Many boat drivers travel too fast or too close to other boats, which can lead to severe accidents.

Mechanical Problems

Defective parts can cause a boat to sink or crash. If this happens, a skilled legal advocate can help an accident survivor file a civil claim against a boat’s manufacturer.

Lack of Safety Equipment

All vessels should have personal floatation devices and life jackets. Without sufficient safety equipment, minor accidents can lead to catastrophic situations.

Our seasoned attorneys in Marshfield can investigate a collision to determine whether a boater’s negligence directly caused a claimant’s injuries.

Call a Marshfield Boat Accident Attorney Today

Because waterways are not as crowded as busy roads, it can be challenging to understand why so many boating accidents occur. Most vessel accidents on Marshfield waters happen because of careless mistakes. Many boat drivers could have avoided accidents and injuries if they had acted reasonably.

If you know that a reckless boater caused your injuries, meet with a Marshfield boat accident lawyer today. Our legal team can collect evidence about the crash, answer questions, and give you all the tools you need to need to succeed in your claim.

Contact a Wausau Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you are recovering from an injury, you need to focus on regaining your health. You should not have to negotiate with stubborn insurance companies or compromise with a defendant.

A Wausau personal injury lawyer could lessen the stress and complications associated with collecting compensation, allowing you to recover fully. Call today to learn more about your options.

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