Boating can be a really fun activity for many Louisiana residents. Getting out on the water can provide entertainment as well as a means of travel. However, hitting the open waters requires skill and attention from anyone who anyone who takes command of a boat — no matter it’s size. The consequences for ignoring boating safety rules and regulations can be very serious.
Recently, two Louisiana citizens were injured in a boat accident. In this case, two boats were on a waterway in Terrebonne Parish when a head-on collision occurred. As a result of the accident, the pilot of one of the boats had to be taken to a nearby intensive care unit after being airlifted from the accident scene. This man’s passenger was also injured and taken to a local hospital. The two individuals on the other boat were not injured in the crash.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating the accident. The boats have been seized so that officials can try to reconstruct the accident to determine what went wrong. In this investigation, it will be important to determine if negligence played a role in causing the collision.
If one of the boat drivers was negligent then that person could be held liable for any damages caused — including personal injuries that occurred. These damages can include property damage, medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs and other costs that occurred because of the accident.
Offshore injuries need to be taken seriously by all Louisiana residents hurt while on the water. Whether these injuries occur recreationally or professionally, those injured should know their legal rights.
Source: The Times-Picayune, “Two in hospital after head-on boat collision,” Todd Masson, Jan. 7, 2014
