California Boating Accidents Attorney
Each summer millions of boating enthusiasts flock to the water. Some are well prepared, but many are dangerously ill-prepared. Recent annual statistics report 5,223 boating accidents resulting in 710 deaths, 5,223 injuries and $54,000,000 in property damage. Alcohol use is a factor in many boating accidents. Sadly, failure to wear appropriate flotation devises result in many fatalities. (About 2/3 of all fatalities were a result of drowning and 90% of those were not wearing flotation devises). Trends in boating safety are favorable. In 1963 there were 33 deaths for every 100,000 boats. Recently that number was reduced to five deaths per 100,000 boats.
While we must received extensive training to operate an automobile or aircraft, no training is required for operation of small boats. As a result, 70% of all small boating accidents involve an operator who received no safety instructions.
Leading Causes of Fatal Boating Accidents
| Rank | Accidents | Fatalities | |
| Collision with another boat | 1 | 1360 | 75 |
| Collision with fixed object | 2 | 517 | 47 |
| Skier Accident | 3 | 510 | 12 |
| Falling Overboard | 4 | 485 | 202 |
| Capsizing | 5 | 455 | 315 |
Contributing Factors
| Rank | Accidents | Fatalities | |
| Operator inattention | 1 | 611 | 51 |
| Reckless operation | 2 | 517 | 28 |
| Excessive speed | 3 | 464 | 39 |
| Skier/passenger conduct | 4 | 390 | 32 |
| No proper lookout | 5 | 368 | 20 |
| Operator inexperience | 6 | 356 | 44 |
| Alcohol | 7 | 351 | 133 |
| Dangerous waters | 8 | 294 | 63 |
| Failure of machinery | 9 | 272 | 18 |
| Failure of equipment | 10 | 141 | 9 |
Southern / Northern California Boating Accident Attorneys
Choosing the right Northern / Southern California boating accident attorney is of upmost importance for your case. James Cunningham of Cunningham & Lansden, (a Sacramento boating accident lawyer's Firm) has extensive experience and training in the operation of light power boats and ocean-going sailboats. He will personally handle your boating accident case and the work up will not be delegated to a subordinate in-house attorney. We have offices in Northern and Southern California. If you cannot come to one of our regional offices at Camarillo, Sacramento and Placerville, a boating accident lawyer from Cunningham & Lansden will come to you. Call or email one of our Camarillo, Sacramento or Placerville boating accident lawyers for a free case evaluation.