Boat Safety Checklist for Spring

by Staff Blogger | March 11th, 2019

Spring is here, and that means the return of boating season in Northern California. If you’re like most boaters, you’ve been itching to get back out on the water. But before you do, it’s important to make sure that you’re prepared for potential accidents and emergencies.

Here are a few steps you should take to reduce your boating risks this spring:

• Check your supply of life jackets—You should always have at least one life jacket for every person onboard your boat. Inspect life jackets already on your boat for signs of damage. Replace any that are frayed or damaged, as they may be less effective in the water.
• Check your lights—If you take your boat out during times of limited visibility, such as at night, in the rain, or when it’s foggy, your lights may be the only way for other boaters to see you. Check your battery and your lights to ensure everything is in proper working condition.
• Check your registration and boating license—Are you legally allowed to take your boat out on the water? If your boating license or your boat registration have expired, the answer may be no. Make sure those documents are up to date to avoid troubles when you launch your boat this spring.

The California boat accident attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers are here to help if you or someone you love gets injured in a boating accident this spring and throughout the year. Call us today for a free consultation.

Boating Season Isn’t Over, and We’re Still Here to Help

by Staff Blogger | September 5th, 2018

Labor Day has come and gone, and for many people, that spells the unofficial end of summer. But warm weather and pleasant boating days will remain in the Bay Area for many more weeks. If you’re planning on taking your boat out, it’s important to be cautious and prepared for emergencies.

A few things you can do to reduce your risks on the water include:

• Never operating your boat after drinking alcohol—Driving a boat while intoxicated is just as serious and dangerous as driving a vehicle while impaired. If you plan on drinking, appoint a designated driver for your boat or leave it at the dock.
• Not heading out when visibility will be reduced—One component of safe boating is being able to see where you’re going. When visibility is reduced due to rain or fog, you’re more likely to be involved in a serious boating accident.
• Stocking your boat with necessary safety equipment—By law, you’re required to have life jackets for every person onboard your boat. You should also have a throwable floatation device that can be used in the event of an emergency. A fire extinguisher, a distress flag, and a radio or cell phone are also essential to call for help if necessary.

Unfortunately, you can still be involved in a boating accident even when you take all the right precautions. If you or someone you love were hurt on the water due to someone else’s negligence, the California boat accident attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers are here to help. Call us today for a free consultation.

Stay Safe on Your Boat This Memorial Day Weekend

by Staff Blogger | May 21st, 2018

Memorial Day is Monday, May 28, and that means this upcoming weekend is one of the biggest boating weekends of the year. If you’re a boat owner, you may already have plans to spend the day on the water. But with so many other vessels around, it’s important to keep a few important safety tips in mind throughout the day, including:

• Don’t operate your boat after consuming alcohol. Safe boating requires a sober mind and body. As with driving a vehicle, safely operating a boat and consuming alcohol just don’t mix. California’s legal limit for alcohol intoxication while operating a boat is 0.08 percent—the same as it is for driving a car, truck, or SUV.
• Avoid distractions while your boat is in motion. Boating is a social activity, and it’s common for boat owners to have multiple passengers on their boats when they take them out into the water. But the more passengers you have, the greater your risk of being distracted. When you’re operating your boat, stay focused on where you’re going and getting there as safely as possible.
• Stay home if the weather or water aren’t cooperating. Boating can be dangerous during inclement weather or in choppy and rough water. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and tide conditions before you head out on your boat, and if conditions look too rough, stay home—it could save your life.

If you or someone you love were injured in a boating accident, the California boat accident lawyers at Berg Injury Lawyers are here to help. Call today for a free consultation.

Spring Boating Safety Checklist

by Staff Blogger | March 19th, 2018

Spring is here, and that means many boat owners in California will be taking their vessels out over the coming weeks and months. Whether you’re an avid boater or only hit the waters a few times per year, it’s important to remember that boating comes with many dangers and risks, especially when you don’t follow all of the necessary safety precautions.

You can make your next day out on the water safer and more enjoyable for yourself, your family, and your friends by following these safety tips:

• Stock up on life jackets. Life jackets can save lives in the event of an emergency, and it’s essential that you have at least one on board for every person on your boat. In addition, you’re also required to have a throwable floatation device if your boat is more than 16-feet in length.
• Never operate a boat after consuming alcohol. Just as it’s important to abstain from drinking alcohol before driving a vehicle, it’s also vital that you avoid drinking before or during a boat outing when you’re behind the wheel.
• Keep your eyes and mind on the water. Distraction isn’t just a problem when you’re driving on four wheels—it’s also a significant problem for boaters. Because boating is such a social activity, it’s easy for drivers to become distracted, but you should always keep your full and undivided attention on steering the boat safely.

At Berg Injury Lawyers, our California boat accident lawyers are here to help anyone who was hurt on a waterway in the Bay Area due to another person’s negligence. Call today for a free consultation.

Stay Safe on Your Boat.

by Staff Blogger | August 21st, 2017

Summer is winding down, but one of the major perks of living in Northern California is enjoying great boating weather for most of the year. Whether you’re out for a solo cruise or entertaining friends and family, it’s hard to beat a beautiful day on the water.

But boats can be dangerous if you’re not cautious. Boats don’t have the same safety features as cars, trucks, and SUVs, which means accidents can put occupants at high risk of suffering serious injuries.

To reduce your chances of being hurt on your boat or anyone else’s boat this summer and fall, follow these tips:

• Never drive a boat while or after drinking alcohol. Boating while intoxicated is just as dangerous as driving a vehicle while intoxicated. When you’re over the legal limit, you’re more likely to lose control of your boat and collide with other vessels, docks, or sea walls.

• Pack enough life jackets for everyone on board. California law requires that all boats 16 feet or longer contain one life jacket for every passenger, as well as a rescue flotation device such as a ring, cushion, or horseshoe buoy. Life jackets are essential in the event of an emergency.

Even if you’re already taking these safety precautions on California’s waterways, not all boaters are as safety-conscious. If you or someone you love was injured in a boating accident, Berg Injury Lawyers wants to help. Our California boat accident attorneys can review your case, and we’ll do our best to protect your rights. Call today for a free consultation.

Inexperienced Boaters Put Others at Risk

by Staff Blogger | April 3rd, 2017

Now that spring has officially sprung, it won’t be long until it’s prime boating season in the Bay Area. For boating enthusiasts, there’s nothing better than spending a day out on your favorite California lake or waterway. Unfortunately for some San Franciscans, fun afternoon outings on the water have turned into nightmares when other boaters failed to adhere to boating safety.

Unlike operating a motor vehicle of any kind, you do not need a license to operate a boat in California. That means there are a lot of inexperienced boaters out on our waterways, many of which don’t know (or don’t care to know) important safety procedures every boater should learn. That puts everyone else on the waterway at risk, and the results can be deadly.

At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know how difficult it can be to establish fault in a boating accident. It takes years of experience and a strong knowledge of the boating world to determine what happened and whether it could have been avoided. That’s why if you’ve been involved in a boating accident, you need to call an experienced San Francisco boating accident attorney today for a free consultation. We’ll fully investigate your case and fight to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. Contact us today.

5 Boating Safety Tips

by Staff Blogger | January 25th, 2016

Boating is one of the best parts of living in San Francisco. From the Waterfront to open Bay, we have some of the most beautiful waterways in the country. However, before you get out on the water this year, consider the following boating safety tips to make sure your trip is both fun and safe:

• Have a pre-departure checklist—There are several things to attend to as you’re preparing to depart. Make sure you don’t forget any step by developing and following a pre-departure checklist.
• Use lifejackets properly—Lifejackets should be worn as specified every time you set sail. Don’t make the mistake of assuming you’re safe inside the boat or simply don’t need a lifejacket. Hundreds of drownings each year could have been prevented if only the victim were wearing one.
• Avoid alcohol—Drinking and boating can lead to tragedy. Respect the water and refrain from drinking while operating any watercraft vehicle.
• Learn to swim—If you’re going to be out on the water, you need to know how to swim. There are a number of local organizations that offer basic swimming safety classes. You don’t need to be a professional swimmer, but you do need to know how to survive in the water.
• Consider the weather—Before you set out on a boating excursion, check the weather to make sure it’s safe to be out on the water. Just because the skies are clear when you set out doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way. If you do experience inclement weather on the water, don’t attempt to wait it out. Get to shore immediately.

Sometimes even with proper preparation, you can’t avoid a boating accident. If you or someone you love was injured on the water, call our San Francisco boat accident lawyers today for a free consultation.

California Boat Accident Leaves Child With Injuries

by Staff Blogger | September 28th, 2015

Anyone riding in a watercraft is at risk of injury due to an accident or negligence, but statistics show children are at an especially high risk. Our California boat accident attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers explain an incident that occurred this past weekend along the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta underscores the risks children face on the water.

The boat carrying the victim was on the water at approximately 6:48 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, when it suddenly struck an object in the water. The impact of the collision was so immense, it disabled the boat and caused the child to be thrown and injured. An article from NBC Bay Area News says the victim was transported to a local hospital in order to receive treatment.

The incident highlights the need to keep three key safety tips in mind at all times when on the water.

• Operate Defensively– Obey speed limits and eliminate distractions that could prevent you from keeping your eyes on the water.
• Always Sit Down– When a watercraft is in motion, it’s important that you stay seated until the vessel has come to a complete stop.
• Wear a Life Preserver– There should be one lifejacket on board the boat for each passenger and each person should wear their life preserver at all times.

At Berg Injury Lawyers, we want boaters to be safe and have fun at the same time. That’s why our California personal injury attorneys hope this information helps you to remain safe anytime you are on the water.

California Boat Accident Attorneys Discuss Traumatic Brain Injury Risks in Sailing

by Staff Blogger | August 11th, 2015

Due to San Francisco’s close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, sailing is a popular hobby in the Bay Area. It’s important for boaters to be aware of the risk of injury sailing can pose.

One of the most common types of injuries reported in sailing are traumatic brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be the result of a boater coming into contact with the vessel or it’s parts. The boom of a vessel may pose a particular risk because of how heavy and hard the aluminum part can be, coupled with the fact the part moves across the vessel at almost eye level.

An article from Scuttlebutt Sailing News points out several ways you can reduce your chances of suffering a TBI. One is to install taller and lighter booms on your vessel. This can reduce the chances of contact with the part and lower the likelihood of injury in the event an accident occurs. Wearing a helmet can also significantly reduce your chances of suffering a TBI while sailing.

The article goes on to explain that these changes were adopted at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) sailing events and have been effective in reducing the program’s injury rates.

Promoting safety is important to our legal team at Berg Injury Lawyers and our California boat accident attorneys are hopeful that these tips can help you and your loved ones stay accident-free while on the water.

California Boat Accident Attorneys Discuss Summer Safety

by Staff Blogger | June 8th, 2015

With temperatures reaching above 100 degrees in the Bay Area over the last several days, it’s safe to say that summer has arrived. For many Californians, this can be a wonderful time of year to get boats out on the water. Our California boat accident attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers explain that there are several safety tips boaters should keep in mind while on the water this summer, including:

• Use Floatation Devices– One of the best ways to save lives in the event of a California boat accident is to ensure there are life jackets and floatation devices on board for each person. Life jackets should have a snug fit to prevent slipping and should be worn at all times when the boat is in motion.
• Get Educated– One of the leading causes of California boat accidents today is a lack of operator experience. That’s why the California Division of Boating and Waterways offers safety courses that provide instruction on how to operate a boat safely.
• Don’t Drink and Boat– A large portion of California’s boating accidents are the result of a boat’s driver drinking too much alcohol. So if you plan to drive a boat, also plan to stay sober.

At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’ve seen the devastating results a boating accident caused by negligence can have. That’s why our California personal injury lawyers encourage all boaters to brush up on their boating skills and to keep safety in mind at all times when on the water this summer.