What Happened
A free course was taught on February 23, 2013 in Virginia Beach that taught safe boating practices, navigation signs, and how to make sure everyone stays safe on Virginia’s waterways. Organizers stated that only an estimated two percent of registered boaters in the state have taken a safety course, and that the state will soon require it by law. In 2007, the Virginia General Assembly enacted a law to establish a boating safety education compliance requirement. This requirement will be phased in over the next several years and by 2016, all operators of personal water craft (PWC) such as jet skis, Sea Doos, Wave Runners, and operators of motorboats with a 10 hp or greater motor, will be required to have a boating safety education course completion card on board when operating a PWC or motorboat.
The Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers’ Perspective
This is a great step for the state to take in order to protect those who enjoy the many waterways of Virginia (VA). In 2011, the Coast Guard counted 4588 accidents that involved 758 deaths and 3081 injuries in the United States. These statistics do not include the numbers of injuries or wrongful deaths occurring from transportation boating accidents, such as ferry accidents, shipping accidents, or cruise ship accidents.
Most boating accidents are easily preventable; the majority of accidents are caused by operator inexperience or inattention. People who are victims of boating accidents often think that accidents just happen, and that no one is really at fault. But, there are times when boating accidents are not due to the normal risks, but due to careless or reckless boat operation, excessive speed, negligence, intoxication, or inappropriate behavior. These negligent acts and others cause boats to capsize or collide. Our boating accident attorneys take every watercraft related case seriously; we understand the special needs of boating accident victims. It is essential to receive legal advice from a Virginia (VA) boating accident attorney that can guide you through the complexity of maritime law to ensure you maximum compensation.
Potentially Helpful Info:
Our firm has written a guide discussing what an individual or family member should do when a serious injury or death has occurred in connection with a boat accident in Virginia. Download the free guide here.
Have Questions? Check Out Our Firm’s FAQs:
FAQs dealing with boating accidents in Virginia.
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