Boating accident numbers in New Jersey did not spike this summer, despite concerns over safety hazards due to debris in waterways from Superstorm Sandy. Work to clean waterways began last winter and fears of increased boating accident form debris stuck around all summer.
The numbers, however, have stayed the same with seasonal norms, and are actually lower than last year’s numbers. According to Brick Patch, a local New Jersey newspaper, 85 vessel accidents, with 29 injuries and five fatalities were reported by August 16. In 2012, 115 accidents with eight deaths had occurred during the same time.
Throughout the clean-up effort, 96,000 cubic yards of debris were removed from waterways throughout New Jersey. As debris decreased and residents’ fears of accidents subsided, marinas reported increased sales throughout the season.
While boating accidents in New Jersey may be declining, they are still a huge culprit throughout the U.S. for maritime injuries and take hundreds of lives every year. In 2012, there were over 4,000 boating accidents in the U.S., 651 of which were fatal. Recreational boating accidents can cause injuries such as fractured spines, traumatic brain injuries and paralysis.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of another in a recreational boating accident, contact our maritime attorneys today for a free consultation.
Latti Associates’s Little Extra: In 2012, the U.S. Coast Guard found that 71 percent of all fatal boating accidents involved victims drowning- and 85 percent of those were not wearing a life jacket.
Latti Associates LLC– Boston maritime trial lawyers