Boating accidents happen on Ontario waterways every year and many of them lead to personal injury claims against those who were responsible. Reasons for that responsibility can range from willful recklessness to simple carelessness but all have the potential to result in severe bodily harm. There are four types of accidents that lead to personal injury claims and all have their own likely reasons for happening.
Boat Hits Another Boat
Boat-on-boat collisions can have multiple parties’ responsible based on circumstances. One driver could be at fault for not paying attention while another could be impaired by alcohol. Responsibility in cases like these need not be equal – one may be more at fault than the other – but both should be held to the standards that fit their failure to protect the safety of their passengers or the passengers of other boats.
Boat Hits Another’s Wake
This is actually fairly similar in principle to hitting another boat. Watching for wakes is one of the most important safety precautions to be taken in boating. Just as important is a larger boat not cutting across the heading of a smaller boat and thus potentially harming its occupants.
Boat Hits a Wave
Waves can get big even on smaller lakes in Ontario. It is the boat owner’s duty to make sure the boat is only taken out in safe weather and water conditions. Failure to uphold that duty can result in significant injuries depending on the size of the wave or the speed of the boat at the time.
Boat Hits a Submerged Object
Boating in less travelled areas can be treacherous which is why boat owners need to be especially careful. Hitting submerged objects at speed can result in a boat capsizing and causing injuries to the people on board. While an object underwater might not be obvious it’s still imperative that caution be taken in areas where the water isn’t known to be completely clear of issues.
Boating should be good fun, but if it turns bad due to injury it may be time to call a lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact Conte Associates at 1-877-614-0008. Based in Vaughan, Conte & Associates works with clients in Vaughan and in the surrounding cities of: Thornhill, Woodbridge, Concord, Kleinberg, Maple and Richmond Hill.
