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Michigan Boating and Jet Ski Accidents Preventable

Riding the waves of the Great Lakes and on Michigan's inland waterways on boats and jet skis is a great way to have fun on a hot summer day, but it's also a tragedy waiting to happen if common sense and due care are not followed.Most owners know how to operate a boat or personal watercraft because Michigan law requires completion of safety training classes before young operators can become licensed. But owners often will let untrained friends "take a turn" on the water and then very bad things can happen.The biggest problem with personal watercraft is people striking other people in the water, either another craft or a swimmer. Operators of all types of boats and jet skis traveling at high rates of speed, must always be very careful and extra vigilant to spot people in the water. The craft may inadvertently travel into a designated swimming area, or a swimmer may wander outside the area. Since you can't brake the vessel, tragedy can easily occur when the operator is inattentive.Another major factor is the use of alcohol by operators. Friends are out having fun on the lake on a hot weekend day. When alcohol becomes part of the formula for fun, then the watercraft should be docked for the day.People should not use jet skis for tubing. I know lots of people use of jet skis for tubing or water skiing but these are not designed to pull people through the water. They may have a hook for towing but the operator has very little control over a tube swinging directly toward a swimmer. Many states allow use of personal watercraft for tubing if there is a passenger spotter, but it still is a dangerous practice.The consequences of careless personal watercraft operators can be very serious, especially for young people. In any given year, about 20 percent of all personal watercraft injuries in the U.S. are to youth under the age of 18. Of those injured children, 46% were operators and 27% were passengers. In Michigan in 2006 there were 29 fatalities boating related and 115 injuries. In 2007 there were 35 fatalities and 105 injuries. Watercraft vessels are usually operated by a person who is sitting, standing, or kneeling. As an inboard boat, personal watercrafts are required to follow the same rules and requirements of other powerboats, in addition to any specific rules applicable to personal watercraft.Jet skis make up only 6.5% of all boating vessels owned in the U.S. but are involved in 55% of all boat collisions. The U.S. Coast Guard found in 2002 that a personal watercraft operator is seven times more likely to get hurt than a motor boat operator and 30 times more likely than a canoer or kayaker. Collisions with docks, larger boats and other personal watercraft account for more than 65% of all reported injuries. Collisions often occur when operators attempt to jump the wake generated by another vessel.In Michigan, no one younger than age 12 can operate a personal watercraft. Persons 12 and older who were born after 1978 can operate a personal watercraft only if they obtained a safety boating certificate which is issued after taking required safety classes.Personal watercraft operators and owners have a legal duty to exercise the highest degree of care in order to prevent injuries to others. The overwhelming majority of boating accidents are caused by factors that can be controlled by the operator. If you've been the victim of a personal watercraft accident, you have the right to seek reparations for your injuries. Because these vessels pose a unique danger of serious personal injury and death, and involve complex legal and safety issues, you need an experienced attorney to help you.The attorneys at Cochran & Foley have the skills, legal knowledge and experience needed to protect people who have suffered personal injury or the death of a loved one because of a boating accident and will seek to win payment for their clients' injuries, expenses, and loss. For a free consultation call 800-322-5543 and ask for Terry Cochran or Lynn Foley or visit: www.cochranfoley.com

Article Source: http://www.purearticle.com

Terry Cochran of Cochran, Foley & Associates, P.C. is dedicated to representing individuals and families who have suffered catastrophic losses as a result of injuries, disabilities and death. The firm does not represent insurance companies or corporations but instead bases its practice upon representing individuals and families. For a free consultation call 800-322-5543 and ask for Terry Cochran or Lynn Foley or visit: www.cochranfoley.com

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