Alcohol Makes Deadly Waters Deadlier on Lake Havasu

People from all over the map flock to Lake Havasu every year to enjoy the cool waters of the lake and the Colorado River nearby. One of the unfortunate results of this popularity is that it leads to a high number of Arizona boating accidents. In fact, Lake Havasu and the Colorado River rank fourth on the list of ten deadliest bodies of water. There are many reasons for this dubious ranking, but it appears that there is one factor that drives this reality more than any other – the presence of alcohol in the systems of boaters. The prevalence of alcohol has led many who have been injured and loved ones of those who have been killed to seek the help of a personal injury attorneyin order to enforce their legal rights.

Arizona Boating Accident Statistics

According to the United States Coast Guard, more than 4,700 boating accidents occurred on a national level in 2009, and these boating accidents led to more than 700 deaths and more than 3,300 injuries. Unfortunately for many on the water at any given time, alcohol was the leading contributing factor in boating accidents that led to at least one fatality, as nearly one-third of all fatal boating accidents list alcohol as a reason that the incident occurred. This statistical trend is all but a certainty on Lake Havasu and the Colorado River.

Other Leading Causes of AZ Boating Accidents

Aside from the serious problem with alcohol and boating that persists, there are other common causes for recreational boating accidents in the United States. These factors include:

• Operator inattention
• Operator inexperience
• Excessive speed
• Improper lookout

Many of these factors would look similar to those that contribute to car accidents, but law enforcement is making a concerted effort to curb the abuse of alcohol by boaters for obvious reasons.

If you or someone you love has been harmed by a boater who was negligent in any way, contact the Arizona accident lawyers at Phillips Law Group today to schedule a free initial consultation. Ph: 1-800-706-3000 .