Boating can be a leisurely and relaxing activity that individuals or families can enjoy. Operators of boats must not lose their focus on the water, however, as doing so could lead to unnecessary dangers and result in serious injuries.
A boat accident in another state, very near the Louisiana border, has resulted in two fatalities, with another person injured. The two boats collided with each other around the bend of a river near the Louisiana border. Two people in one of the boats were both killed as a result of the accident, while one person in the other boat was injured and taken to a nearby hospital. Although authorities feel that alcohol was not involved in the collision, they have not ruled out the possibility that one or both of the boats was speeding.
In accidents involving two boats, liability for any damages that may result is governed by the rule of negligence. Often times in boating accidents, both boat operators may share in the fault and be partially negligent. Those injured in such an accident, or their families if they are killed, may be able to bring a claim to receive compensation against both drivers, as they may each have been negligent. The percentage of liability for each operator is determined using the rule of comparative negligence, in which multiple parties may have been negligent but their liability or ability to receive compensation is based on their share of negligent activity. If one of the drivers is injured, they may bring a claim for compensation against the other operator only, but they must have been responsible for less than 50 percent of the negligence.
Boating accidents can occur for a number of reasons, such as a collision between two watercraft, as in the present case, striking a submerged object or striking the wake of another boat. Additionally, an operator may not follow the general rules regarding which boats have the right of way in the water. Regardless of the reason for an accident, an injured victim may seek the guidance of a personal injury attorney to assist them with receiving the amount of compensation to which they are entitled.
Source: CBS Dallas/Fort Worth, “Two Killed In Boating Accident In East Texas,” May 25, 2014