Philadelphia Boating Accident Attorneys
Boating and Maritime Accidents
Many of the Philadelphia boating accident lawyers at The Beasley Reiff Law Group are passionate boaters with more than 50 years of sailing and motor boating experience. We understand what can go wrong and who to hold accountable when an unfortunate boating disaster and boating accident strikes victims and their families leaving them with bills to pay and no one to turn to. Last year in the city of Philadelphia, the amphibious sightseeing tour boat Ride The Ducks boat experienced a mechanical difficulty along the Delaware River. The captain noted that he smelled smoke and turned the engine off and according to the National Transportation Safety Board, the driver of the boat attempted to send a distress signal to the barge that was headed straight into the path of the Duck Boat but it went unaddressed. In a frantic attempt to alert the approaching barge, the captain of the Duck Boat tried to send an air horn alert that also failed. The barge collided with the sightseeing boat plunging all of the passengers into the water and killing many innocent student tourists.
The Pennsylvania maritime accident lawyers of The Beasley Reiff Law Group were retained to represent many of those passengers that were victims of the fatal boat accident. Maritime and boating accidents are accidents that occur in or around a body of water and can include pleasure boat, sail boat, motor boats, fishing boats, ferries, sightseeing boats, parasailing boat, tug boats, party boats, cruise ships, jet skis, canoes, kayaks, tubing, white water rafting, water skis, and others. Boating and maritime accidents occur due to several reasons including but not limited to: operator inexperience, improper licensing or non-licensing of the operator, intoxicated or impaired vehicle operator, alcohol or controlled substances, medication impairment, recreational drugs that impair judgment, erratic driving, failure to navigate properly, poor weather, bad visibility, excessive power, product defect, failure to maintain a proper lookout, failure to maintain safety equipment, failure to maintain navigation equipment, failure to maintain or posses communication equipment, ineffective drains, power failures, improper lighting, improper surface treatments, improper ventilation of the engine and fuel systems leading to fire and explosion, as well as many other factors.
In one of our maritime boating accident death cases, an individual was electrocuted when a power tool he was using came into contact with water in a vessel cabin. Maritime injuries can be quite significant and serious leading to drowning, lacerations or cuts, permanent scarring, broken bones, traumatic brain injury, internal organ injuries, paraplegia, quadriplegia, hypothermia, physical and psychological trauma, spinal cord injuries, closed head injury, brain injuries, and even wrongful death.
Our experienced Philadelphia maritime accident attorneys recognize how easy it is for someone to operate a vessel with little or no experience with the apparent misconception that they are safe and easy to drive. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania if the maximum speed of a boat is less than 25 mph, the operator is not required to successfully complete a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission approved boating course. In handling many of our jet ski and boat accident cases, we found that many businesses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania who rent jet skis, boats, Skidoos, Wave Runners, Tiger Sharks, and other personal water craft who do not possess boating safety educational certificates, and frankly are not aware of any safety regulations and the potential for danger and harm concerning the operation of personal water craft. Many times easily preventable boating accidents result in catastrophic injury and wrongful death.
During the summer and spring season DUI boating and jet ski accidents are common. Jet skis make up only 3% of all water craft but account for more than half the accidents. Last year over 62 people died in boating related accidents in Pennsylvania due to intoxication. The United States Coast Guard has noticed a dramatic increase of boating fatalities with 2/3 occurring on non-motorized vehicles including canoes, row boats, kayaks, and sail boats. Most of the deaths were preventable due to the lack of proper safety equipment, including but not limited to life jackets. The number of boating accidents has climbed over 80% this year and nationally, according to the Coast Guard, there were 4,789 boating accidents which killed 709 people and left 3,031 injured and caused $4 million dollars in property damage.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a boating or jet ski accident, you would be well advised to seek the services of an experienced Pennsylvania boat accident lawyer who can begin a comprehensive investigation to determine where proper liability rests to recover compensatory damage for physical and mental injuries. Maritime accidents can complex and require specialized experience. Why not put an experienced team of boating accident lawyers on your team who have a passion for boating and understand who to hold accountable. The lawyers of The Beasley Reiff Law Group have secured hundreds of verdicts, settlements, and awards exceeding $1 million dollars since 1957 and have been awarded in excess of $2 billion dollars. For a free, no obligation consultation, contact us online at www.beasleyreifflawgroup.com or toll free at 800-588-0130.
