It’s going to be a beautiful summer out here in Ohio and with the great lakes it is the perfect time for people to bring out their boats, and take their families on the lake. With activities like tubing, swimming, and jet skiing families are out on the lake all the time in the warm weather. What we must be aware of is that sometimes we lose focus and forget that there are other boaters around us. In the midst of a fun ride on the lake, there is bound to be a boating accident.
Boating accidents in Ohio have a low rate but they still happen every year. Last year in 2017 there were 20 total boating accidents that included fatalities. Out of those 20 accidents 19 of them were men and 15 were not wearing a life jacket. Over 50% of the people in the boating accidents died just from drowning and not knowing how to properly swim.
Pre- Vessel Safety Checklist
These tips from the Ohio coast guard can be very useful for anyone who is planning on spending their summer fun on the lake and anyone who operates a boat
Be Aware of the weather and future forecasts,
Follow a pre-safety inspection before every outing,
Designate an Assistant who is also informed and knowledgeable on how the vessel works,
Develop a Float Plan,
Have Lifejackets on board at all times,
Avoid Using Alcohol,
Know How to swim,
Have a boating license/take a course,
There is no reason people should be in harm’s way when enjoying time on the lake. It is a shame for any accident to happen, but it is always best to be prepared! If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact my office immediately. As your Ohio car accident attorney, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities. You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 877.944.4373.