Boating Accident Attorneys

Wilkes-Barre, Sugarloaf and Hazleton, Pennsylvania

Frequently Asked Questions

• What constitutes a boating accident?
• What types of boats are meant when talking about boating accidents?
• Are there laws about situations in which a boating accident must be reported?
• Is there a time limit for reporting such boating accidents?
• What things can I do to prevent or minimized boating accidents?

What constitutes a boating accident?

A boating accident refers to any incident involving a vessel in which there was a collision with damage or injuries. These include:

• A passenger or crew member falling overboard
• A vessel taking on large amounts of water so as to become unsafe
• Capsizing
• Collisions with docks or other stationary items in the water or other vessels on the water
• Explosions
• Missing persons cases in which a boat is involved
• Shipboard fires
• Sinking ships

Back to top

What types of boats are meant when talking about boating accidents?

The types of boats referred to when discussing boating accidents include:

• Cigar boats
• Sailboats
• Speedboats
• Yachts
• Barges
• Charter boats
• Ferries
• Ships

It also includes personal watercrafts such as:

• Jet Skis
• WaveRunners
• Barges
• Charter boats
• Ferries
• Ships

Back to top

Are there laws about situations in which a boating accident must be reported?

Yes. You must report a boating accident to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission if one or more of the following has happened:

• Someone dies
• Someone is injured beyond the ability of first aid to treat those injuries
• Property or vessel damage is $2000 or greater or if a vessel is totaled
• Someone is missing off the boat and death or injury appears likely. (If death occurred, it may be a case of wrongful death.)

Back to top

Is there a time limit for reporting such boating accidents?

Yes. A written boating accident report must be submitted to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission by the boat operator(s):

• Within 48 hours if someone dies within 24 hours of the accident (a possible case of wrongful death), someone is injured beyond first-aid treatment, or someone is missing from the vessel.
• Within 10 days if the above rule does not apply

If, for some reason, the boat operator is unable to file the report, the owner should file the report. If neither is able to file the report, an employee or officer of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission may investigate the incident and file the report.

Back to top

What things can I do to prevent or minimized boating accidents?

Several simple things you can do that might prevent a boating accident or even save someone from an accidental drowning wrongful death include:

• Dont drink and boat at the same time
• Learn about boating by taking a safety course. Almost three-fourths of all boating accidents are due to some sort of boat operator mistakes.
• Take part in the Vessel Safety Check (VSC) program offered by the Coast Guard. Volunteers check your equipment for safety and offer you safety tips to help you operate your boat safely.
• Wear a personal flotation device or life jacket at all times while on the water

Back to top

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, please contact The Falvello Law Firm today to schedule an initial consultation. The boating accident attorneys at the Falvello Law Firm serves clients in Hazleton, Sugarloaf, Wilkes-Barre, Berwick, and Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.