Boating Accident | Virginia Personal Injury Blog
How to prep your boat for safety and fun
Summer is a great time to be on the water. Fish are biting, and you can breathe that fresh or salty air. My law partner Ken Gibson and I both love to be out on the water.
But unfortunately, with what we do, we see far too many people who were hurt while enjoying the water.
How can I prevent a boating accident from happening?
Boating in Eastern Virginia – whether by river, bay, or ocean – is an epic pastime. Many of us have grown up enjoying the water, learning to swim, fish, and handle boats since childhood. But even the most experienced boater can be in an accident. Maybe another boat is speeding by with a driver who is having a beer, ending in a collision. Or perhaps you get caught in bad weather and run aground. Or maybe one of your passengers unexpectedly falls overboard.
Who is responsible for boating accidents?
As a coastal state, Virginia is a haven for commercial and recreational watercraft. That means that our Commonwealth’s inlets, bays, and rivers can get quite crowded at times.
Fortunately, we have the U.S. Coast Guard patrolling our coastline, ready to respond to any desperate situation. But sometimes the Coast Guard does things that local boaters aren’t too happy about. For instance, the Coast Guard recently announced plans to remove all aids to navigation from Davis Creek in Mathews County. Davis Creek, an inlet that leads to Mobjack Bay and the Chesapeake Bay, is popular with boaters and fishermen.
What should you do after you’ve been in a boating accident?
Just like car accidents, boating accidents can be frightening and confusing, especially the first time one happens to you. Knowing what to do right after a boating accident can help prepare you, and help make the situation better.
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Prevention, empathy, and diligence are hallmarks of everything we do at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys. Our community can see these ideals lived out in our work to prevent personal injuries from happening.
- Safety Education
GibsonSingleton launches a “Texts=Wrecks” campaign to reduce the number of people injured or killed by distracted drivers. - Annual Coat Drive
During the fall, our team works to distribute coats to people in need in our community. - Hands-on Service
John and Ken join the Gloucester Point Rotary Club in cleaning up the community. - Supporting Local Schools
The Gibson family participates in Gloucester’s Botetourt Elementary Shuffle fundraiser.