Boat Accident
San Francisco Bay Boat Accident Prompts Changes In Safety Policies For The America’s Cup
| October 22nd, 2013
October 21, 2013 The conditions produced by nature around the San Francisco Bay can prove to be extremely hazardous to boaters at times. The California Boat Accident Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers point out this was made apparent by the death of a sailor this past May as he trained to participate in the America’s Cup. According to an article from Inside The Games, the 36-year-old victim was wearing a helmet, wetsuit, and floatation device when the front-end of the 72-foot catamaran he was on plunged into the water, causing the vessel to capsize. The victim’s body was found floating in the water a short time later. An investigation into the accident determined the man had died as a result of a combination of blunt force trauma and drowning. In an effort to reduce liability in the event of a similar accident in the future, race organizers have implemented several changes to safety policies. These include establishing limits on safe wind speeds to operate in and requiring more safety equipment to be used by participants. Each crew member is also now required to wear a locating device when on the water. Berg Injury Lawyer’s team of California Personal Injury Lawyers applaud the efforts being made to improve the safety of boaters on the water and are hopeful the new requirements will be effective in preventing accident injuries and fatalities.Police Believe Alcohol Involved In Northern California Boat Accident
| August 22nd, 2013
August 19, 2013 While most people are aware of the numerous motor vehicle collisions that are associated with drinking and driving on the highway, many do not realize the same deadly results can occur when drinking and boating. Take the case of a Northern California Boat Accident that occurred recently on Collins Lake in Yuba City, which resulted in three people being injured. Reports indicate police believe alcohol played a part in causing the crash. According to a story published by The Appeal-Democrat, a 28-year-old man was operating a vessel carrying four other people in a reckless manner when he struck another boat carrying three passengers that was stopped in the water. The impact of the collision caused bother watercrafts to overturn, ejecting everyone form both crafts. The seven victims were brought to shore, where the 55-year-old operator of the boat that was hit was airlifted to a local trauma center, while two passengers from the other vessel were transported to the hospital by ambulance. All three were treated and then released. Meanwhile, investigators questioned the man believed to be responsible for causing the accident and believe alcohol consumption may have been a factor. However, they released him at the scene, pending the results of a full investigation into the incident. The California Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers are aware of the devastating effects injuries caused by intoxicated boaters can have on the lives of the victims and ask citizens to refrain from drinking and operating a boat.Lawmakers Aim to Reduce California Boat Accidents with Safety Training
| August 5th, 2013
August 5, 2013 When taking to the water in California, the chances of suffering a mishap can be high. In fact, experts say that the rate at which California Boat Accidents occur is higher than any other state in the nation. A contributing factor to the large number of incidents on the water in California is the state’s many inexperienced and under-trained boaters. In fact, NBC-Bay Area News says more than 270 boat accidents of the 473 crashes last year were attributed to operator distraction or lack of experience. California is one of only five states in the country that allows individuals to drive watercraft with no training. Now, lawmakers are working to reduce the number of boat accidents by introducing a new bill that would require all new boaters to take a boating safety course in order to qualify to hit the waterways across the state. Currently, the law only requires that an individual be at least 16 years old or as young as 12 years old if an adult accompanies them. The law was introduced after a 12-year-old girl was killed in a boating accident caused by a distracted operator. The California Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers applaud the efforts being made to improve the safety along the state’s waterways and hope the new law is effective in reducing the number of accidents.Safety A Concern Following Fatal San Francisco Boat Accident
| June 3rd, 2013
June 3, 2013 Last month, a San Francisco Boat Accident claimed the life of an America’s Cup sailor. The accident has prompted many to become more concerned for the safety of those involved in the sport of competitive sailing. According to an article from ABC 7 News, the accident happened in the Bay of San Francisco as the 72-foot vessel, the Artemis 72, attempted to make a turn. The sails caught winds traveling at approximately 15 to20 knots at the boat flipped into the water, trapping an occupant underneath the boat. It took rescue crews more than 10 minutes to reach the victim and he died before he could be assisted. This was only the second fatality in the history of the America’s Cup race. The boat was a new style vessel that has been lauded as one of the fastest sailboats in the world; however, some experts have stated the watercrafts are not sturdy enough to be considered safe. Officials are awaiting the crew of the capsized boat to be interviewed before considering if a flaw in the design of the boat could be to blame for the accident though. The Northern California Injury Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers acknowledge how devastating the loss of a loved one to a boating accident can be. The firm would like to send their deepest condolences to the family of the victim.Negligence Responsible For Causing Boat Accident That Killed Eight
| May 13th, 2013
May 13, 2013 The U.S. Coast Guard has found the negligence of a charter fishing boat crew was responsible for causing a Boat Accident that claimed the lives of eight Northern California men. Reports indicate the incident occurred on July 3, 2011, on the waters of the Gulf of California. The men were on a fishing trip that had departed from the Port of San Filipe in Mexico the day before the accident occurred. The ship went down after being caught in a storm that caused massive waves to capsize the boat. A total of 27 passengers were aboard the ship at the time it sank. As a result of the incident, eight passengers, all Americans from California, died. According to the Mercury News, an investigation into the accident determined that modifications to the ship had made the vessel highly unstable and had compromised the ship’s ability to remain watertight. Furthermore, it was determined that the ship’s crew had failed to offer any instruction to the passengers as to procedures that should be followed in an emergency situation. The Captain of the Port of San Felipe was also reprimanded for failing to inspect the integrity of the vessel and allowing it to be on the water. The California Injury Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers understand how devastating the loss of a loved one to a boating accident can be. That’s why the firm would like to send their sympathies to the families of the victims.San Francisco Boat Accident Leaves Four Men Injured
| April 29th, 2013
April 29, 2013 Four men were injured as the result of a San Francisco Boat Accident that occurred over the weekend. Reports indicate the incident happened just before 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning in the waters off of Candlestick Point. A spokesperson from the San Francisco Fire Department, Lt. Robert Lopez, told KTVU News that the four victims were passengers aboard a Pleasure Craft and were standing on the bow of the vessel when an explosion suddenly erupted. The boat was quickly engulfed in flames and quickly began taking on water. The men quickly radioed for assistance and the U.S. Coast guard dispatched rescue crews to find the men. All four were pulled from the burning wreckage and were transported to local trauma centers for treatment to injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to exposure. The accident has left many boat owners curious as to what steps should be taken to optimize safety in the event of such an unforeseen accident. The California Injury Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers say one of the best ways to stay safe while on the water is to ensure that the vessel has enough life preservers for each individual who is on board. These flotation devices should be worn at all times when the boat is in motion. Another thing that can help prevent accidents is becoming acclimated to the waterways that will be traveled and slowing down in unfamiliar waters.Serious Boat Accident Occurs In The San Francisco Bay
| January 14th, 2013
January 14, 2013 An investigation has been launched into the Northern California Boating Accident that occurred in the San Francisco Bay this past week, in which an oil tanker collided with the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. According to NBC-Bay Area News, the accident happened at around 11:20 a.m. Monday when the 752-foot ship was being piloted underneath the bridge and hit a 30 to 40-foot section surrounding one of the bridge’s towers. Experts say that a vital piece of equipment used by tanker pilots to navigate beneath the bridge may not have been functioning properly at the time of the accident though. Three Racon Transponders are placed at key locations on the bridge and are responsible for sending radar signals between the units and navigation equipment on board the ships; however, officials believe one of the units may have malfunctioned in the moments leading up to the crash. Despite the possibility of an equipment malfunction, investigators are also considering human error. Records show the pilot was found responsible for two similar accidents. The first incident occurred in August 2009 on the Sacramento River when the pilot steered the ship into a bank. He was found at fault for an accident again in 2010 after running a ship aground in the Richmond Inner Harbor. The California Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers acknowledge the dangers boat accidents can present and may be able to help you if you have been injured while boating at no fault of your own.Alcohol Is Contributing Factor in Northern California Boating Accident
| September 17th, 2012
September 17, 2012 A boating accident on a lake in Northern California last weekend resulted in the loss of two lives and left another man injured. According to The Sacramento Bee, officials believe alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash. Deputies with the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office say a 53-year-old Auburn, California, man is in custody on charges of manslaughter following the accident. Reports show the man was behind the wheel of a motorized boat on Englebright Lake, just outside Smartsville, around 6:30 p.m. when his vessel collided with a jet ski carrying the two victims. Further investigation found the driver of the boat to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He was placed under arrest immediately after being discharged from the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries. Investigators are still working to determine what else may have played a part in causing the deadly collision. Distraction or speed may have also played a part, considering experts believe the factors could be represented in as many as 60 percent of California Boating Accidents. The Alameda Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers believe the best way to prevent a deadly boating accident is to never get behind the wheel of a boat while under the influence of alcohol; however, wearing a life preserver at all times while on the water is a close second.
