Boating Accidents In Arizona: What you need to know

An experienced Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer is a necessity for boating enthusiasts. With more than 300 sun-filled days a year and numerous lakes within an hour’s drive from the metropolitan area, Phoenix is a prime location for recreational boating.

Recreational boating is one of the most fun and exciting ways to escape the desert heat. If the unfortunate should occur, and you or a loved one is involved in a boating accident, an experienced Arizona personal injury lawyer is essential.

Boating accidents do occur, and when they do, those who have been injured need the help of an Arizona personal injury lawyer that is experienced in representing boating accident victims.

In Arizona, roughly 200 boat accidents occur per year, some resulting in fatalities. The most common type of boating accident, by far, is a collision with another vessel. There are many factors that attribute to boating accidents including excessive speed, operator carelessness, and machinery failure.

If you are involved in a boating accident, the Arizona Game and Fish Department require that you perform the following measures:

The operator of any watercraft involved in an incident resulting in injury or property damage must immediately stop the watercraft, offer his or her name and address, and the name and address of the watercraft’s owner, to the injured party.
The operator of watercraft involved in a boating accident must render reasonable assistance and report the boating accident to the nearest law enforcement agency.
The operator must file a report directly to the Arizona Game and Fish department within 48 hours if the injury resulted in a fatality. If it resulted in any injury beyond first aid or property damage of more than $500 then the report must be filed to the department within five days.

The state of Arizona has its own specific regulations in regard to boating accidents. Therefore, it is critical that boating accident victims contact a reputable Arizona personal injury law firm. An Arizona personal injury law firm that specializes in boating accidents will know the current laws and regulations in Arizona and will be in the best position to help navigate you through the complex process of filing a claim and receiving the settlement you deserve.

An Arizona personal injury law firm that specializes in boating accidents will know the current laws and regulations in Arizona and will be in the best position to help navigate you through the complex process of filing a claim and receiving the settlement you deserve.

The majority of boating accidents occur as a result of recklessness and negligence of a boat operator. Familiarity with Arizona state laws that define recklessness and negligence in boating accidents is extremely important. The Arizona Game and Fish Department defines reckless and negligent operation of a boat as failure to exercise the degree of care necessary to prevent endangering persons, property, or wildlife. Some activities that have been identified as negligent or reckless operation of a boat in Arizona include:

The Arizona Game and Fish Department defines reckless and negligent operation of a boat as failure to exercise the degree of care necessary to prevent endangering persons, property, or wildlife. Some activities that have been identified as negligent or reckless operation of a boat in Arizona include:

Speeding in no-wake zones or boating in areas marked as restricted.
Weaving through congested waterways and other boat traffic or failure to follow the navigation rules.
Exceeding the weight or number of persons on board or overpowering the craft with an engine larger than designated as listed on the capacity plate.
Allowing a passenger to ride on the gunwale, bow, and transom or in any other position obviously dangerous at greater than no wake speed.
Deliberately going against the flow of traffic. Specifically, you must follow a counter-clockwise flow of traffic.
Chasing, harassing or disturbing wildlife with your vessel.

Boating accidents can result in serious injuries and costly medical bills. If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a recreational boat accident you should immediately speak with an Arizona personal injury lawyer to receive experienced legal help.

Arizona personal injury attorneys specialize in the representation of victims of recreational boating accidents and know the best course of action to take in your case. If you would like to speak with an experienced, local lawyer about a personal injury case, please call Zachar Law Firm at (602) 494-4800 or visit