| About two-thirds or roughly 71% of earth is made of | | | | jail time are also prescribed for people driving boats in |
| water. It is therefore not a surprising fact that most | | | | Arizona while under the influence. The same is true |
| people, at some point in their lives, have experienced | | | | for boat accidents occurring in the state of Florida - it |
| riding a boat, a yacht or a ship. With this experience, | | | | is unlawful for any person operating a vessel involved |
| however, comes the possibility of getting involved in | | | | in a boating accident to leave the scene without |
| a boat accident. | | | | extending any form of help and without making a |
| Boating accidents can be divided into two groups - | | | | report of the accident to the Florida Fish and Wildlife |
| those involving recreational vehicles and those | | | | Commission. |
| involving merchant seamen. In 2005, 3,500 accidents | | | | If you find yourself a victim of a boating accident |
| have been reported by the US Coast Guard with | | | | involving a recreational water vehicle such as a jet |
| costs amounting to 39 million dollars. The reasons for | | | | ski, a row boat or a kayak, your first move should |
| this boat accidents range from carelessness, operator | | | | be to have yourself thoroughly examined by a |
| inattentiveness, excessive speed, and operator | | | | qualified doctor. Make sure that you keep records of |
| inexperience. There have also been cases of boat | | | | all the results. Try to jot down as much information |
| accidents resulting from boating under the influence | | | | as you can remember. Do not forget also to get the |
| of drugs or alcohol. An average of 714 boaters dies | | | | name, address, phone number, and insurance carrier |
| each year with 508 of them due to drowning. Based | | | | of the other party. You would need these pieces of |
| on statistic, Florida, since it has access to a greater | | | | information when making claims. It is also |
| number of bodies of water, has the highest incidence | | | | recommended that you get in touch with a personal |
| of boat accident with the state of California trailing | | | | injury lawyer who has a proven track record in |
| behind. | | | | working cases similar to yours. |
| Each state has its own rules when it comes to boat | | | | On the other hand, if you get involved in a boating |
| accident. For example, in the state of Arizona, | | | | accident as a merchant seaman, you should get in |
| anyone involved in a boating accident are required to | | | | touch with Jones Act lawyer. The Jones Act |
| give assistance so long as it will not endanger the | | | | protects the rights of seamen and allows them to |
| lives of the operator, passengers, or vessels involved. | | | | obtain damages from their employers for negligence |
| Aside from this, a report should be submitted to the | | | | of the ship owner, the captain, and even fellow crew |
| Arizona Game and Fish Department within 48 hours if | | | | members. A Jones Act lawyer would be able to help |
| the accident has resulted in death. Fines and possible | | | | you decide whether you can make a claim or not. |