Veteran boating accident lawyer Robert Mansell will aggressively pursue your boat accident injury claim and recover top compensation for your injuries.

One of the most beautiful aspects of sunny Los Angeles is its water culture. Miles of beaches allow for commercial boating and recreational water activities. Swimming, sailing, jet skiing, and water skiing are all popular diversions for Southern Californians as well as visitors to Los Angeles. However, the prevalence of these activities also correlates to an increased number of water-related accidents. Some types of boating accidents include:

• Collisions
• Capsizing, flooding, or sinking
• Fire or explosions
• People falling overboard?

Boating and watercraft accidents can happen quickly and have devastating effects. The range of injuries can be as catastrophic as those found with freeway collisions - with the added danger of the icy Pacific Ocean water added to the deadly equation.

At the Los Angeles law firm of Mansell and Mansell APC, our experienced water accident attorneys can obtain the full compensation you deserve.

Boating Accident Statistics

In the Coast Guard's 2009 accident statistic report, the agency noted that boat registrations were up .23 percent nationwide - representing about 30,000 more registered water vehicles than the previous year. For the year 2009, there were 4,730 reported recreational boating accidents. The top vehicles involved in boating accidents were open motorboats, followed by personal watercraft (jet skis), and cabin motorboats. These boating accidents resulted in 736 deaths and 3,358 injuries, and led to $36 million dollars in property damage. The fatality rate from boating accidents rose 3.6 percent from the previous year.

Of the people that died as a result of boating accidents, the vast majority (75 percent) died due to drowning. Of the people that drowned, 84 percent were not wearing a life jacket. The majority of those that drowned (70 percent) were on smaller boats under 21 feet in length.

Causes of Boating Accidents

The Coast Guard notes that the top reasons for boating accidents are:

• Operator inattentiveness
• Operator inexperience
• Operating at excessive speeds
• Improper lookout
• Alcohol use

Looking at the causes of most boat accidents, it is easy to see that many are completely avoidable. Research bears out that a great number of maritime accidents happen due to operator inexperience or carelessness.

Lack of safety education can also impact a boat driver's ability to prevent and cope with dangerous conditions. Of the fatal boating incidents that occurred in 2009, a vast majority - 86 percent - of the drivers of the boats involved had received absolutely no boating safety instruction.

The number one contributing factor of boating accident deaths is alcohol. Driving a boat while impaired is no less dangerous than operating a vehicle under the influence, substantially increasing the odds of boating accident death or serious injury.

When operating or riding in a boat or personal watercraft, it is important:

• To always wear a life jacket.
• To not drink alcohol while operating the watercraft.
• To be aware that cold weather and cold water is more dangerous.

Failure to operate a watercraft in a safe manner can lead to liability for any injuries that arise. To ensure you preserve your rights after a boating accident, speak with an experienced attorney right away.

Boat Accident Attorneys

If you have suffered injuries from a boating accident, or want to learn about your rights in a wrongful death claim arising from a boating accident, contact us at Mansell and Mansell APC for a free legal consultation. The attorneys and staff at our law firm understand that serious injuries or the loss of a loved one due to a boating accident can leave people in a perilous financial position. Our clients pay no money until we reach a successful resolution to their case. Our firm takes on the expenses and fees associated with litigation and does not receive compensation unless we deliver a successful recovery.

For a free assessment of your legal rights relating to your boating accident injury, contact Mansell and Mansell APC today. Utilize our secure online form or call directly at (323)800-0000 to schedule a consultation with boating accident attorney Robert Mansell.

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