Wisconsin Boating Injuries

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ 2008 Ten-Year Boating Program Report, in 2008, 142 boats in Wisconsin were involved in 110 accidents, causing 85 injuries requiring treatment and 20 deaths. Of those accidents, only 40 percent are definitely known not to involve drugs or alcohol.

According to the United States Coast Guard, for 2006:

• 710 people in the U.S. were killed in boating accidents.
• Property damage totaled $38,721,088.
• Overall, two-thirds of all fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those who drowned, ninety (90) percent were not wearing their life jacket. Eight out of every ten boaters who drowned were using boats less than 20 feet in length.
• 70 percent of reported fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction. Operator inattention, carelessness/reckless operation, excessive speed, and no proper lookout are the primary contributing factors in all reported accidents.
• Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, accounting for nearly twenty (20) percent of all reported fatalities.

Not all boating accidents are the fault of another, but in certain cases such as drug or alcohol use improper training or safety practices, negligent operation and other driver error that results in injury or death, the victim or victim’s family may be entitled to compensation.

You can vastly minimize your risk of involvement in a boating accident by practicing common sense safety. Wear a life jacket. Don’t become intoxicated while driving a boat or as a passenger. Take a moment to get to know the boat you’re in, taking note of potential hazards. But if you are involved in a boating accident through no fault of your own, trust the team at John Casey Law, S.C., to help ensure you receive the maximum damages available under law.

Related terms:  Boat accident, boating injuries.