Boating Accidents: Overview

With more than 15,000 lakes, it’s no surprise that Minnesota has more registered watercraft per person than any other state. And today, the increasing popularity of boating along with the boom of personal watercraft (jet ski, wave runner, etc) have created more water traffic than ever. Unfortunately, the risk for serious boating injuries has also increased.

Boat accidents are usually caused by one of three factors: an inexperienced boater, intoxicated operator or a boat malfunction. More than a third of both fatal and non-fatal boat accidents are alcohol related. It is estimated that boat operators with a blood alcohol content of .10 or higher are 10 times more likely to be injured or killed in a boating accident than sober operators.

The most common types of boat accidents in Minnesota include:

• Boat collision with other boats, personal watercraft or swimmers
• Slip or fall due to wet surface
• Boat sinking or tipping
• Boat fire / explosion

Boating accidents can result in serious burn injuries, broken bones, back/neck/spine injuries, a head injury and even a fatality. For more than 30 years, the experienced lawyers at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben have been representing victims of boat accidents in personal injury, slip and fall, wrongful death and product liability cases throughout Minnesota.

Our aggressive Minnesota boating accident attorneys have successfully fought for clients in numerous boat accident cases. Our lawyers will fight until the end to make sure you receive full compensation for your losses. We will to go to trial or take on major corporations and insurance companies if necessary.

If you have been in a boat accident, your well being comes first. Your rights are next. Contact our experienced personal injury lawyers at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben and let us take care of every detail so you can concentrate on the most important part – your recovery.

Call us today for a free consultation: 612-377-7777 or 1-800-752-4265 (toll free).

If You Have Been Injured in a Minnesota Boat Accident, You Should…

• Seek immediate medical assistance. It is important to determine what injuries you have sustained. Serious injuries can occur internally that you may not be aware of right away.
• If a second boat or other property is involved, exchange your name and boat number with the other operator or owner (required by law).
• Promptly report all boating accidents to the county sheriff when there is property damage exceeding $2,000, personal injury or fatalities (required by law).
• Contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben immediately following a boating accident at 1-800-752-4265 to learn your legal rights and receive the just compensation you deserve.

Free Information About Minnesota Boating Law and Water Safety:

• The Minnesota Boating Guide is available on the (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources web site. It supplies information about Minnesota’s boating laws and local restrictions as well as the information that most boaters need to know about safely operating watercraft on the state's lakes and rivers.
• A summary of Minnesota’s Personal Watercraft Laws is also available on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources web site.
• The Minnesota Trailering Laws are summarized on the web site of the Boat Owner’s Association of the United States.

Based in Minneapolis MN, the personal injury attorneys at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben represent clients throughout the entire state of Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and North Dakota. and South Dakota.