Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Boating Accident Statistics (Part A)
Each and every year hundreds of lives are lost, thousands more are injured, and millions of dollars of property damage happens as a result of avoidable recreational boating accidents on the US waterways. This figure is actually lower than the real amount due to federal reporting requirements.
Federal law requires that following boating accidents be reported:
- A person dies
- A passenger disappears from suspicious circumstances
- A person is injured requiring medical treatment beyond first aid
- Damages occur in excess of $2,000
- If a vessel is a complete loss
2007 Boating Accident Statistics
- 685 fatal boating accidents
- 3673 injuries
- 5191 accidents
- $53 million dollars in damages
Breaking those statistics down:
- Monthly – 57 deaths, 306 injuries, 433 accidents, $4.4 million in damages
- Weekly – 13 deaths, 71 injuries, 99.8 accidents, a little more than $1 million in damages
- Daily – 1.9 deaths, 10 injuries, 14 accidents, $145,205 a day
These statistics are simply mind blowing. To think that on average, almost two people a day die from a boating accident doesn’t seem in line with what we have come to think of as a relatively safe and easy-going activity.
(Statistics provided by the US Department of Homeland Security, Us Coast Guard, Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety)
Other interesting facts:
- Two thirds of fatal boating accidents are a result of drowning
- 90% of the drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket
- 3 out of 4 drowning victims were in vessels less than 21 feet in length
- Alcohol use was listed in 21% of all death incidents
- Sixteen children 12 or under lost their lives; half of which drowned
It’s sad to know that most of the drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket or vest that could have potentially saved their life. All boating laws require the use of these personal floatation devices and boaters would be wise to follow this requirement.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating crash, you should contact personal injury lawyer in Boston, who can analyze all elements of your boat accident to help you get the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve.
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