Most cases of personal injury involve motor vehicle accidents, but Kentucky is also host to the Ohio River, the Kentucky and Barkley Lakes, and many other lakes and many of its tributaries. Serious accidents occur on the water every day, and victims who are involved in river or waterway accidents need legal representation to guide them to the swiftest and fairest path to compensation.
When accidents occur and injuries are suffered by workers, vacationers or innocent bystanders, those injured have legal rights that an experienced attorney can help them exercise. When any accident happens that could have been prevented, Paducah, KY boating accident lawyer Daryl T. Dixon can help those injured by investigating the case, determining the liable parties, and seeking compensation for the damage done to you.
Most of us don’t reflect much on the responsibilities that come with owning and operating a watercraft vessel. Once you’re out on the water, it’s easy to forget that there are laws that have to be obeyed for the safety of swimmers, other boaters, your passengers and you.
Kentucky’s waterway laws are established and enforced by the Commonwealth’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. This agency addresses laws pertaining to boat ownership and operation in Kentucky. The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources identifies the following actions as reckless and careless operation of a watercraft:
- Boating in restricted areas without regard for other boaters or persons, posted speeds and wake restrictions, diver-down flags, etc.
- Boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Operating a vessel in swimming areas.
- Riding on seatbacks, gunwales, transoms or pedestal seats while operating above idle speed.
- Excessive speed in crowded areas, dangerous areas or during periods of limited visibility.
- Operating an overloaded vessel.
- Towing a skier in a crowded area where a fallen skier may be hit by other vessels, or towing in areas where the skier may hit an obstacle.
- Using a PWC to jump the immediate wake of another boat.
While most of the regulations above may seem like simple common sense, every summer this type of irresponsible handling of boats and watercrafts turns tragic, leading to unacceptable numbers of injuries and deaths.