According to the U.S. Coast Guard, nationally from 2013 to 2014, deaths increased from 560 to 610, an 8.9% increase, injuries increased from 2,620 to 2,678, a 2.2% increase and the total number of accidents increased from 4,062 to 4,064, a 0.05% increase. Where the cause of death was known, 78% of fatal boating accident victims drowned; of those drowning victims, 84% were not wearing a life jacket. The most common types of vessels involved in reported accidents were open motorboats, personal watercraft and cabin motorboats. The vessel types with the highest number of fatalities were open motorboats, canoes and kayaks. Go here to read the entire USCG report.

How and when to file a boating accident report after a boat accident in La Crosse and Eau Claire

Federal law requires the operator – or owner, if the operator is deceased or unable to make the report – to file a boating accident report with the Wisconsin reporting authority when, as a result of an occurrence that involves a boat or its equipment:

• A person dies;
• A person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury;
• A person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid;
• Damage to vessels and other property totals $2,000 (lower amounts in some states and territories) or more;
• The boat is destroyed.

Go to this site to learn about filing a boating accident report.

Boating Laws in Wisconsin

Learn about the specific boating laws in California by going to this site. Topics covered in the reference guide include boating education, operator age, water skiing, boat noise, numbering & titling, personal watercraft, boating under the influence, personal flotation devices and more.

Common causes of La Crosse and Eau Claire boating accidents include:

operator inexperience;

operator inattention;

passenger/skier behavior;

weather;

equipment failure;

reckless operation;

failure to yield;

excessive speed and alcohol use.

When someone is injured in a La Crosse or Eau Claire boating accident, what needs to happen next?

When someone is injured, it is crucial to get appropriate medical treatment, regardless of the financial cost. The major hospitals in the area include:

Gundersen Health System - La Crosse;

Mayo Clinic Health System - La Crosse;

Sacred Heart Hospital - Eau Claire;

Mayo Clinic Health System - Eau Claire.

As soon as possible, an injured person should contact their insurance company to find out how medical treatment is covered under their insurance policy.

When a boating accident results in a serious injury or a fatality, it is important to find a good La Crosse - Eau Claire boating accident attorney

After a serious crash, it is crucial to get help from an experienced Wisconsin injury attorney who understands the local regulations and legal standards, who knows how insurance policies work, and who can handle all aspects of an insurance claim so the injured person can focus on recovery. If someone is killed in a collision, a Wisconsin wrongful death lawyer will launch a claim that will begin the process of financial recovery for the family members left behind. Learn more here about what a La Crosse - Eau Claire boat accident attorney can do to help.