Virginia is a boater’s paradise. Whether whitewater canoeing in the mountains, waterskiing on one of many picturesque lakes, or sailing the many miles of coastlines, this eastern state has a lot to offer. With about 221,629 boats registered in the state, Virginia also has its share of boating accidents.
Recent Boat Accident Statistics in Virginia
The most recent boat accident statistics published by the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division are from 2019. The report cites that there were 84 boat accidents in the state of Virginia that year, with 33 injured and 20 deaths. Seventeen of those deaths were from drowning. The most common causes of boating accidents in the state include:
- collisions with a fixed object
- collisions with a recreational vehicle
- falls overboard
- grounding
Property damages totaled nearly $1.4 million in 2019, putting Virginia behind only 10 other states for the highest damages from boat accidents.
Why You Need an Attorney After a Virginia Boat Accident
A boat accident can cause serious physical injury to passengers and those in the water, and the costs associated with boat crash injuries can include medical treatment and lost wages due to missed work. These expenses can add up quickly. Depending on the severity of the injuries, victims could be facing a permanent disability that impacts their ability to work and earn a living in the future.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a boat accident, the earlier you contact a boat accident attorney, the sooner you can start building a case against those responsible. Proving who the liable party is in a boating accident can be challenging, but an experienced attorney can go over the details of what happened and develop a strategy for a strong case.
Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our experienced attorneys will work to help you negotiate the settlement you deserve. Because we work on a contingency basis, you don’t have to worry about paying us an expensive retainer. We only get paid if you recover damages.
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