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Habush Habush & Rottier - Lake Geneva Personal Injury Attorneys

Boating Accident Reports

Every year, roughly 3500 people are injured and $39 million of damages are done to other boats and property as a result of boating accidents. While this number may sound low to some people, it is important to keep in mind that this is only roughly 10% of all of the boat accidents that occur. The Coast Guard has conducted a study and has found that the majority of boating accidents are not reported.

The majority of boating accidents are caused by carelessness, operator inattention, excessive speed, and operator inexperience. Some of the same injuries that can occur in car accidents can occur on the water.

Federal law requires that all boat operators file accident reports with the nearest state boating authority. It is important to know what this rule takes effect. In most cases, if one of the following occurs, it is necessary to file a Boating Accident Report (BAR). Theses situations include:

• A person dying
• A person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid
• Damages to vessels and other property totals more than $2000
• When there is a complete loss of a vessel
• A person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury

An individual must file a BAR within 48 hours if a person dies within 24 hours of the accident, a person requires medical treatment beyond first aid, and when a person disappears from the vessel. In the majority of other situations, an individual has 10 days to file the BAR, particularly if the damage only involves a vessel and or property.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a boating accident, contact the Lake Geneva personal injury lawyers of Habush, Habush, & Rottier, S.C. at 1-800-275-1729 to discuss your case and to schedule an initial consultation.