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Free Confidential Consultations: 216-223-7535
There are many ways to enjoy boating in Ohio. Whether you find yourself on the shores of Lake Erie or exploring Ohio’s thousands of miles of rivers, there is no shortage of ways to get out on the water in Ohio.
When you spend time on the water, it is not uncommon to see boaters enjoying a beer or a cocktail during boating season. However, if you plan to drive the boat (as opposed to simply coming along for a ride), you should be aware of Ohio boating and drinking laws, the hazards of boating and boozing, and how boating under the influence can lead to serious, even fatal boating accidents.
Consuming alcohol while operating a boat can endanger your safety and the safety of people on your vessel, as well as that of other boaters. The US Coast Guard (USCG) cautions boat operators and passengers about the hazards of drinking and boating and encourages people to avoid consuming alcohol while on a boat.
A person on a boat is likely to become impaired more quickly than on land. The physical stressors of a marine environment, like the motion of the boat and exposure to sun and wind, accelerate the effects of alcohol and can cause a person to become intoxicated more quickly on the water. Intoxication can lead to loss of coordination, delayed reaction times, and impaired reasoning, any of which can lead to a boating accident.
Passengers should also be aware of the hazards of boating and drinking and should be cautious about becoming intoxicated on a boat, even if it is not moving. Alcohol increases the risk of losing your balance, which could result in falling overboard. Alcohol was a factor in more than half of the boating deaths investigated by the USCG.
Drinking and boating is not just dangerous; it is also illegal. Ohio Revised Code §1547.11 makes it illegal to operate a watercraft while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Similar to drunk driving, someone with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher is presumed to be under the influence. A first offense can result in up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
If you are not operating the boat and are over age 21, it is not illegal to drink on a boat. Nonetheless, remember that safe boating means sober boating. And that even if you are not operating the boat, hazards still exist in the marine environment. Swimming, waterskiing, jet skiing, and tubing while intoxicated is dangerous. Even if you do not plan to enter the water, you risk injury from tripping, losing your balance, or falling overboard.
Like other personal injury claims, people injured in boating accidents that were not their fault are entitled to compensation. To obtain compensation for injuries from a boating accident, you must prove someone else acted without reasonable care and that their negligence caused your injuries.
If you were injured in a boating accident and the boat operator was under the influence, you can use the operator’s intoxication to help prove they were negligent.
Boating accidents pose unique challenges that are not present on land. Boats can travel far from shore, where emergency personnel may have difficulty responding. Some boaters are unfamiliar with or underestimate the risks associated with being on the water.
A boating accident can result in serious injuries, and even death. Common boat accident injuries include:
If you were injured or someone you love was killed in a boating accident, you and your family may be entitled to compensation. The boat accident injury lawyers at Robenalt Law can evaluate your situation, identify who was responsible for causing your injuries, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Most boating accident injuries are covered by the boat owner’s insurance policy. But obtaining the compensation you deserve is not always straightforward. When a boat accident causes injuries, Robenalt Law can help. Contact us or call (216) 223-7535 today to schedule a free, no-obligation appointment to discuss your situation.
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