The California boating accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas would like to remind boaters throughout our state that the prevention of boating accidents begins with you. Our Orange County boating accident attorneys help clients injured in accidents every day that could have been prevented with proper preparation and observation of the rules. Here are the ABC’s of California boating laws that everyone can observe to make California waterways safer.

Boating safety begins with official safety classes offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons or some chapters of the American Red Cross. For more information on classes and schedules, please visit www.dbw.ca.gov or call the U.S. Coast Guard customer infoline at 800.368.5647.

Many preventable boating accidents occur because operators do not load their boats properly or fail to inform their guests of the dangers of overloading. It is the vessel operator’s responsibility to ensure the following:

* Supplies are loaded with the weight distributed evenly
* Gear is secured properly in place
* Passengers are seated
* Passengers understand the importance of maintaining weight balance on smaller watercraft

Before heading out for a cruise, it is the operator’s responsibility to check the latest weather forecast. Boaters can tune in to National Weather Radio broadcasts on frequencies of 162.400, 162.475 and 162.550 MHz and/or look online. It is also the operator’s responsibility to ensure that the vessel is in proper condition and that recommended safety equipment is on board and in good working condition in case an emergency arises.

Our Orange County boating accident lawyers want everyone to enjoy safe boating on our state’s waterways. But if you or a close family member has been injured in an accident, call our Los Angeles boating accident attorneys today at 888.848.5084 to schedule a free consultation.

The U.S. Coast Guard reports that watercraft and boating accidents are on the rise in California and the rest of the country. These types of accidents are slowly increasing each year. The rising popularity of jet skis and other kinds of personal watercraft are one of the factors that the Coast Guard says is contributing to more watercraft and boating accidents in California and elsewhere. The fact that there are additional people out on the state’s lakes and rivers is another factor. By far, the biggest factor in California watercraft and boating accidents is operators’ negligence and recklessness.

Watercraft operators and guests under the influence of alcohol are frequently a contributing factor in watercraft and boating accidents. The majority of these accidents that result in fatalities occur when a vessel capsizes, followed by collisions with other vessels and stationary objects and occupants falling overboard. The Coast Guard has estimated that drunken boat operators with blood-alcohol concentrations above 0.10 percent are more than ten times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a watercraft or boating accident than those who have not been drinking while operating their boats. Around 38 percent of all fatal California watercraft and boating accidents involve alcohol, and more than 65 percent of fatalities are passengers.

If you or someone you care for has been injured in an accident, contact Los Angeles watercraft and boating accident lawyer Samer Habbas. Mr. Habbas is a California watercraft and boating accident attorney with many years of experience helping clients in these matters. He has a reputation for his personal attention to each client. He offers free consultations and works on a contingency-fee basis, so call 888.848.5084 today.

Resource link: What You Should Know About Watercraft and Boating Accidents in California

California’s Boating Accident Program was created to provide a database for boating accident analysis and make the state’s waterways safer for people using all sorts of watercraft. Each year, California releases a comprehensive study of the different types of boating accidents that occurred in the state the previous year. The study provides information on the types of accidents, the number of fatalities caused in accidents and the number and types of injuries. The California Boating Accident Report provides information on personal watercraft, young people operating watercraft and alcohol-related boating accidents that cause fatalities.

Under California state law, a boater involved in a boating accident must fill out and file an accident report with the California Department of Boating and Waterways. A report must be filed when someone is killed, disappears or suffers an injury that requires medical attention beyond basic first aid. A report is required when a vessel sinks, is destroyed, incurs damage or damages property worth $500 or more.

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