We hope you are all
enjoying your summer and the many amenities the Gulf Coast has to offer. It is
a great time to enjoy fishing and boating activities. Remember to follow your
boating safety and wear your life jackets. Sadly, each year many people are
injured and lives are lost because of preventable boating accidents.
This month’s blog we
thought we would share with you a few safety tips regarding boating. For
additional information you can go on line to the Boating Safety Resource Center
at www.uscgboating.org/resources or other boating safety internet sites.
The following are a few safety
tips:
·
Wear your life jacket.
·
Always check the weather before you go boating. Pay attention to
the weather reports as unexpected weather can and does happen.
·
If you are an inexperienced boat operator take along someone with
experience until you feel more comfortable handling a variety of boating
situations.
·
Do
not operate a boat and drink alcohol. It will slow down your reflexes and more
importantly a BUI (Boating Under the Influence) is against the law.
·
Make
sure you protect yourself and your passengers.
·
We
recommend that you take a course in boating safety, which is also offered
online.
If
an accident would occur it is the responsibility of the boat operator to file a
report to the state agency that covers boating, the US Coast Guard or both,
depending on the situation. Remember not filing a
report is a crime. In Mississippi if the accident occurs north of Interstate
Highway 10 (I-10) you would file with MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries
& Parks. If the accident occurs south of Interstate Highway 10 (I-10) you
would file with MS Department of Marine Resources.
As personal injury attorneys, Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins,
P.L.L.C. can advise you on how to determine
compensation for damages or losses. We strongly urge you to avoid making
statements or signing anything related to an accident until after consulting
with us. This helps to protect your legal rights.
If you or a loved one has been
injured in a boating accident, call Hopkins, Barvié
& Hopkins, P.L.L.C. today for your free case evaluation with a top
personal injury attorney in your area. Contact us online or call
228-864-2200 or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just
click below.