Tucson Boating Accident Lawyers

Standing Up for Tucson Boat Accident Victims

Boating and water sports are popular recreations in Arizona. Patagonia Lake, which offers boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and camping, is only a 90-minute drive from Tucson. Parker Canyon Lake, less than 80 miles away, has a marina where visitors can rent boating and fishing equipment and purchase supplies. Pena Blanca Lake, near Nogales, is located a little more than an hour south of downtown Tucson and also offers boating and fishing. Unfortunately, where there is boating, there are also boating accidents.

If you or someone you love was injured in a boating accident, we encourage you to contact us at The Husband & Wife Law Team. Our Tucson boating accident attorneys have years of experience standing up for Arizona accident victims and can explain how to get compensation for your injuries. We will investigate the person who injured you and hold them accountable in an injury claim. Call us today at (520) 624-4228 to speak to us in a free consultation.

Back to Top

What Types of Boating Accidents Happen Near Tucson?

People get hurt while boating in a number of different ways. These are the top five primary accident types, as reported by the U.S. Coast Guard:

• Collisions with recreational vehicles: Operator distraction can be a contributing factor when two vehicles collide.
• Flooding and/or swamping: This can be particularly dangerous for inexperienced swimmers without life jackets.
• Collisions with fixed objects: Operator inattention, inexperience, and alcohol or drug impairment can lead to this type of accident.
• Grounding: Boats can be grounded on sandbars and underwater land masses when the operator is not familiar with the area.
• Falls overboard: When a wave or sharp turn catches someone off guard, that person could fall overboard.

Back to Top

How Many Boating Accidents Occur in Arizona?

The U.S. Coast Guard has published a data summary on boating accidents, casualties, and damages by state for 2020. For Arizona, the Coast Guard reports:

• 162 boating accidents
• 7 fatal accidents
• 85 nonfatal injury accidents
• 70 instances of property damage
• 10 deaths
• 107 people injured

Back to Top

Common Boating Injuries

In open motorboats, pontoons, canoes, and kayaks, the number one casualty is drowning. The risk of drowning is significantly reduced when life jackets are worn. The remaining top five causes of death in boating accidents are:

• Trauma
• Cardiac arrest
• Hypothermia
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Drowning

Nonfatal injuries are common in boating accidents. As stated by the U.S. Coast Guard, they include:

• Bone fractures
• Amputations
• Burns
• Head and brain injuries
• Electric shock
• Hypothermia
• Internal organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Lacerations
• Sprains and strains
• Dislocations
• Scrapes and bruises
• Shock

Back to Top

How Boaters Cause Accidents

Many boating accidents could be avoided with proper safety practices. Examples of negligence resulting in accidents include:

• Slippery boat decks that cause slip and fall accidents
• Vessels colliding with other boats, jet skis, kayaks, etc.
• Reckless or distracted operator behavior
• Proper safety gear missing from the vessel
• Operating a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Improper boat maintenance
• Reckless passenger behavior

Back to Top

How Do You File a Claim Against a Negligent Boater?

Boating accidents can be complex cases. After a serious watercraft accident that was someone else’s fault, your best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve is to seek assistance from a Tucson personal injury lawyer with filing your claim.

Under comparative negligence laws in Arizona, the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive can be reduced by the percentage of fault for the accident assigned to you. Of course, the other side will do its best to try to claim you were somehow to blame for the injuries you sustained. Your attorney can help prove the negligence of the at-fault party, anticipate allegations of fault, and develop defense strategies against them.

Back to Top

Get a Free Case Evaluation

At The Husband & Wife Law Team, our award-winning lawyers believe that boating accident victims deserve proper compensation after a collision. We can sit down with you in a free consultation, determine who caused your injuries, and advocate for your best interests in an accident claim. Our Tucson personal injury attorneys have years of experience fighting for accident victims and can provide the compassionate and strong legal representation you need. Call us at (520) 624-4228 to get a free case evaluation.

Back to Top