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Connecticut Boat Accident Legal Team

Eagan & Donohue has handled numerous wrongful death matters and injury claims caused by accidents involving motorboats, sailboats, jet skis, and canoes.

While boat accidents are certainly not as common as other motor vehicle accidents throughout the state of Connecticut, we understand that they can be equally as devastating and costly to all of the victims involved.  Boat accidents frequently occur on holiday weekends as the result of someone operating a boat while inebriated.  While boat accidents sound as though they are more minor than car accidents since people are not directly impacted in the same way as in car accidents, they are equally as dangerous as car accidents—possibly even more so.  If you or a loved one has been injured in a boat accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Connecticut Boat Accidents

The United States Coast Guard previously compiled a study of boat accidents, listing the following as the top reasons these accidents occur:

  • Operator inattention
  • Operator inexperience
  • Improper lookout
  • Machinery failure
  • Speed
  • Navigation rules violation
  • Inebriation
  • Force of wave or wake
  • Weather
  • Hazardous waters

Many of these factors can be avoided with proper boating technique.

During 2021, there were over 4,400 boating accidents in the United States, which led to over 650 deaths.  The majority of these accidents occurred during summer months, with the highest number happening in July.  The long Fourth of July weekend sees many people take to the water to celebrate and spend time with family and friends.  Many of these boat operators are inexperienced and can inadvertently mishandle the boat while attempting to steer it or drink too much and then attempt to operate the boat.

Our firm recognizes that behind each boat accident fatality or injury statistic is a person whose injury or death requires legal counsel to work with the utmost sensitivity and care.

We understand that boating accidents can lead to severe injuries.  Boat accidents frequently involve boats hitting swimmers in the water or colliding with people in the water on smaller crafts such as kayaks or jet skis.  A boat can easily run over individuals who may be excellent swimmers.  This type of accident often leads to severe injuries or even fatalities.  Other boat accidents include one boat slamming into another or into a dock, for instance, which can lead to drowning or other severe injuries.

Many people assume they are safe in the water since boats often operate at much slower speeds than other motor vehicles.  Even if a person survives a boat accident, they may suffer severe injuries due to a lack of oxygen due to several minutes of drowning or from another cause.  As the victim of a boat accident, you are entitled to seek compensation for any injuries you received in the accident from the boat operator who was responsible for the accident.

Eagan & Donohue | West Hartford, Connecticut Personal Injury Legal Team

If you or a loved one have been injured in a boat accident, you are already aware of the great damage that boats can cause.  The legal team at Eagan & Donohue understands the great impact boat accidents can have on your life.  We have years of experience in fighting for our clients’ rights to compensation for any injuries sustained during a boat accident.  Contact our West Hartford office today for your initial free consultation.