Boating Statistics and Facts

Our Michigan boat accident attorneys represent victims of boating accidents all the time. This is why our lawyers would like to share some statistics gathered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Office of Auxiliary And Boating Safety. In 2010, there were a total of 4,604 boating accidents resulting in 672 fatalities and another 3,153 injuries. These accidents also resulted in $35.5 million dollars of property damage. Michigan made up 132 of the accidents, 27 deaths, 90 injuries, and over $457,000 of property damage. Almost three-fourths of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 88% were not reported as wearing a life jacket.

Alcohol And Boating

The statistics show that alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Alcohol was listed as the leading factor in 19% of the deaths. In 2010, the U.S. had 395 boating accidents with alcohol as a contributing factor. These accidents produced 154 deaths, and 344 injuries. Michigan accounted for 16 of the accidents, 8 fatalities, and 11 injuries.

Common Types Of Boating Accidents

Boating accidents are very serious and cause a lot of deaths and injuries. The following is a list of some of the most common types of reportable boating accidents:

• Grounding, capsizing, sinking, or flooding/swamping.
• Falls in or overboard a vessel.
• Persons ejected from a vessel.
• Fire or explosions that occur while underway and while anchored, moored or docked if the fire resulted from the vessel or vessel equipment.
• Water-skiing or other mishap involving a towable device.
• Collision with another vessel or object.
• Striking a submerged object.
• A person struck by a vessel, propeller, propulsion unit, or steering machinery.
• Carbon monoxide exposure.
• Electrocution due to stray current related to a vessel.
• Casualties where natural causes served as a contributing factor in the death of an individual, but the determined cause of death was drowning.
• Casualties from natural phenomena such as interaction with marine life and interaction with nature.
• Casualties where a person fall off an anchored vessel.

 FREE Injury Accident Book

To learn more about the laws in Michigan personal injury accidents, you should request our FREE BOOK, "The Ultimate Guide To Injury Cases in Michigan" which includes The "Biggest Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case." We will send it out immediately.

Contact Your Michigan Boat Accident Lawyer

Victims of boating accidents in Michigan do have legal rights. If you are injured due to the negligence of another boater or even to the driver of the boat that you are being pulled by, a claim for compensation can often by made against the estate of the at-fault driver. Typically, the boat owner has insurance that provides coverage for boat accident claims. If you or a family member suffers injuries due to a boat accident in Michigan, call us now at (800) 606-1717 to speak with one of our experienced Michigan boat accident lawyers about your case.