Houston Personal Injury Attorney Gives Safety Tips for Avoiding a PWC or Boating Accident

Safety Tips for Avoiding a PWC or Boating Accident
Last year, boating deaths decreased in every state except Texas, where 52 people died in boating-related accidents, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. It was the highest number of boating fatalities since 2002. Parks and Wildlife officials say that alcohol is involved in one-third of all boating fatalities and the use of alcohol while boating more than doubles the risk of having an accident.

The law office of Walker Texas Lawyer is warning Houstonians to play it safe as they hit the waterways this summer to avoid personal injury, accidents and even death. At last count, Texas had over 600,000 registered watercraft. With all of these boats on our lakes and rivers (not to mention the Gulf), accidents are commonplace. Maritime accidents can involve collisions between two boats, a boat and a personal watercraft, obstructions such as rocks and tree trunks, and boats that capsize and trap people underneath. However, the most common type of boating related injury occurs when people fall off of a boat. The personal injuries caused by boating accidents are as serious as any that occur on land, and they include everything from broken bones and knee injuries all the way up to serious brain injuries and drowning. The lawyers at Walker Texas Lawyer offer these safety tips for avoiding a PWC or boating accident.

Wear a life jacket: The number one thing you can do to protect yourself when boating is to wear a life jacket. Like wearing your seatbelt, the use of a life jacket takes little time or effort but significantly increases your chances of surviving an accident, especially if you fall into the water. In fact, over 85% of the victims of boating accidents who drown are not wearing a life jacket at the time. Be sure to wear your life jacket even if you are a good swimmer, because even a good swimmer can get tired, suffer from a cramp, or be caught in an unexpectedly strong current. The law requires that all children younger than 13 years old wear a coast guard approved life jacket at all times when the boat that they are on is moving. Also, riders of all ages must wear a life jacket while riding a Personal Water Craft (PWC or Jet Ski). Make sure that children have life jackets sized for their smaller bodies. It is also a good idea to carry extra life jackets in case an accident occurs.

Don’t’ Drink and Boat: The other major thing you can do to prevent a boating accident is to control the use of alcohol. Many people who would never drink and drive think nothing of having a few drinks and then taking their boat. The fact is that boating while intoxicated (BWI) is a crime just like driving while intoxicated, and the same blood alcohol level of 0.08 means that you will be presumed to be an impaired boater. If you are caught BWI, you can be arrested, jailed, and even lose your driver’s license. Know the rules of the road. Follow the same rules that you would while driving your car. Operate the watercraft at a safe speed and do not overload it. Also keep a sharp lookout for other boaters, skiers, personal watercraft and submerged objects such as tree limbs and rocks. Know where you are on the water and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Also know how to read and follow buoy signs. A boater education class can bring you up to speed on the latest boating laws and rules in Texas. They’re just $13 and about six hours. And they may save you money on boater insurance. A Texas Parks and Wildlife certified boater education course and photo I.D. is required for any person born on or after September 1, 1984 to operate a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more. A person is exempt from the mandatory boater education requirement if the person is at least 18 years of age or is accompanied by a person that is at least 18 years of age.

Have the proper equipment on board: Make sure to know your boat before you take it out on the water and make sure it is in good working order. Any vessel less than 12 meters in length is required to carry a whistle or horn. Vessels 12 meters or more in length are required to carry a whistle or horn, and a bell. Every motorboat towing a person must have an observer and be equipped with a rearview mirror. All vessels when not at dock must have and exhibit at least one bright light, lantern or flashlight.

Stop and Render Aid: The operator of any vessel involved in a boating accident must stop and render whatever assistance is necessary unless such action would endanger his own vessel, crew or passengers. The operator must give his/her name, address and vessel identification number in writing to any injured person and to the owner of any damaged property. Failure to do so in an accident that results in death or catastrophic injury is punishable as a Texas Parks and Wildlife felony.

Report Any Accident: If you are involved in a boating accident, it is a good idea to report it to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or (if the accident occurs in coastal waters) to the Coast Guard. If you have been injured in a boating accident through the negligence or carelessness of another, you might be entitled to be compensated for your injuries. The facts of each case will differ, and you will need to speak with an experienced lawyer to determine what your rights are. Contact the lawyers here at Walker Texas Lawyer for a free evaluation of your case.

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