A crash between two boats at the Clarksburg Marina in Yolo County left five people with various degrees of injury, according to reports. The Yolo County Sheriff’s Department stated that several victims were removed from the river with injuries ranging from minor to serious. There were no fatalities and everyone is expected to survive.
The drivers were traveling in opposite directions but apparently turned simultaneously, crashing into each other. Both boats were traveling around 35 miles per hour at the time of the crash, with five people traveling in one boat and two in the other. Three were ejected into the water, but it is unclear which boat these victims were riding in.
Sheriff’s deputies say that alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the crash. An investigation into the crash is ongoing, but authorities say that unclear communication seems to have played a role and that boat pilots should be cautious, particularly around other watercraft.
Boat Accidents: The Hidden Dangers and Costs
Because there are far fewer boating accidents than car crashes, these types of accidents are not the ones that usually make personal injury headlines. However, a boating accident can be just as dangerous as a car crash, causing death, serious injury and other problems if the circumstances are right. In fact, boating accident victims may be more likely to be physically harmed than car accident victims due to the fact that they have relatively little protection from being ejected or thrown around the boat in the event of a crash.
In California, boating accidents accounted for 53 fatalities and 247 injuries in 2012, according to the California Department of Boats and Waterways. Since only 473 boating accidents were reported that year, this means that 64 percent of all reported boating accidents resulted in death or injury. Californians are required to report any boating accident that results in significant property damage, injury or death.
What Should I Do If I Am the Victim Of A Boating Crash?
If you are the victim of a boating accident, contact Ashley Injury Lawyers in Roseville. We are dedicated to helping you fight for your rights and will help you recover damages for your injuries whenever possible. You may be entitled to payment of your medical bills, sums for pain and suffering and reimbursement of lost wages. Call today for a free consultation.
