During the summer months, thousands of Mississippians will take to the waterways to enjoy boating, tubing, and other water sports. Mississippi is home to numerous rivers, lakes, streams, and the ocean in the South. Unfortunately, summertime is also the most common time for boating accidents to occur. Recently, in Clinton County, five people, including two children, were on board a flat boat, about 16 feet long, that capsized in the Mississippi River. Both children and one adult were rescued. The two other adults perished in the accident, with the body of one found days later.
Earlier in the summer, a nine year old boy from New Orleans died in a boating accident on the Wolf River. The young boy and his sibling were riding behind a boat in a tube. While navigating around a bend, the tube hit a tree and the nine year old body, who was wearing a life jacket, died in the accident. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma.
These tragic accidents serve to highlight the need for heightened boating and tubing safety in Mississippi. The following is a list of the most common causes of boat accidents, intended to keep you safe while on the water this summer.
- Crowded waterways: The number of boaters on the waterways increases drastically during the warm summer months. Along with this increase in the number of boats comes a rise in the number of inexperienced boaters. Many summer boaters only boat occasionally and lack the expertise that comes with more regular boating. These boaters are often out with family and friends, which can diminish their attention. Combine inexperience with distraction and accidents can occur.
- Alcohol: Over half of all boating accidents and fatalities are attributed to drunk boaters. While alcohol use is common amongst boaters, it is illegal to operate a boat while intoxicated. Drinking excessively while operating a boat is not just a crime; it endangers the lives of those in your boat and around you.
- Speed: Boating at speeds excessive for the waterway, conditions, or your experience can lead to accidents. Excessive speed will diminish lookout and awareness of the presence of obstacles, such as sandbars, tubers, or other boats. Speed frequently goes hand in hand with alcohol consumption, making an even more dangerous situation.
- Failure of equipment on the boat: Proper maintenance of your boat is imperative. You should regularly inspect the engine, steering system, communication system, navigation lights, rescue capacity, and all other vital parts. Sometimes, however, equipment failure will occur even despite the best of maintenance. Faulty parts or parts that are improperly installed can cause serious accidents.
If you have been involved in a boating accident that may have been caused by the negligence of a boat operator or due to a faulty piece of equipment, a personal injury attorney can help you recover for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Barrett Law PLLC: Assisting Boating and Tubing Accident Victims Across Mississippi
For over 75 years, across three generations, the Mississippi Boating Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law, PLLC have provided skilled, zealous, and intelligent representation for the victims of boating and other water related accidents across the state. Our personal injury attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and resources to obtain the results you desire. Barrett Law, PLLC operates on a contingency fee basis and the first consultation is always free. The attorneys at Barrett Law, PLLC pride themselves on ensuring each and every client receives superior representation, with passion and zeal. Call today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free consultation. We look forward to providing you with superior legal representation.