Boaters are Subject to Many of the Same Guidelines as Motorists
Many may not realize this, but recreational boating is subject to many of the same restrictions and guidelines as driving a motor vehicle. It may seem like the legislature is trying to put a damper on a fun day on the water, but the strict operational rules pertaining to boating are intended to protect boaters and keep everyone safe while relaxing on lakes, rivers, or oceans. All too often, boaters forget they are manning a large vessel in the vicinity of others and choose to partake in conduct that may not be conducive to boating safely. In such situations, boat collisions can occur, which lead to significant personal liability in the form of personal and property injury.
One common scenario relating to boat collisions involves instances of boating while intoxicated. Nearly every state has enacted prohibitions on boating while intoxicated, and, most times, the legal blood alcohol content limit is congruent to the limit placed upon motorists. Boating while intoxicated leads to the same disastrous consequences as driving under the influence, including collisions with other boats, injury, and even death. A Marietta personal injury attorney is experienced in holding others accountable who injure boaters while boating intoxicated and will advocate for personal injury victims in an effort to recover the ultimate damages award.
Boat collisions do not always involve intoxicated boating and are sometimes the result of simple negligence. A negligence cause of action is one in which a person breaches his duty to act reasonably and safely with respect to others around him. Perhaps the boat captain is of limited experience and nevertheless attempts to navigate the vessel through crowded or rough waters. Injuries resulting from this scenario would likely fall within the concept of negligence, as it is probably not reasonable or safe to undertake the responsibility of manning a boat without experience when many other boaters or unsafe conditions are present.
Marietta and Gwinnett personal injury attorneys Michael Braun and Andrew Ree are especially experienced in filing civil lawsuits against negligent boaters. If you have recently been injured in a boat collision or your boat has been damaged as a result of the conduct of another person, do not hesitate to schedule a free initial consultation with experienced Georgia personal injury attorney at Braun and Ree, LLP.
