The Boating and Law Enforcement Division of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has released its report on the calendar year 2013. The document compiles all “reportable boating incidents,” a term that describes incidents that result in $2,000 or more in property damage, an injury that requires more treatment than first aid, a missing person or a death. Tennessee law requires that all individuals involved in a reportable boating incident must immediately inform the TWRA. The TWRA will then make a decision as to how to pursue the investigation.
The number of registered boats in Tennessee decreased 1 percent from 2012. The number of boating incidents decreased by 10 percent in the same period. Alcohol and drug use are still a leading cause of accidents, but they are less prevalent than in years past.
Monetary damage caused by boating incidents increased between 2012 and 2013, from $2.3 million to $2.4 million. One possible cause for this trend is the greater prevalence of rented boats than in years past.
Individuals who may have suffered personal injury or wrongful death as a result of a boating accident may choose to file a civil lawsuit in order to regain the financial damages that have been done. If multiple individuals have been harmed in a single accident, then they may choose to combine their cases. In the case of a fatal accident, it is the family of the deceased that may press the suit seeking compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one. The assistance of an attorney at law may be of use to anyone pursuing any of these types of cases. An attorney can provide guidance as to how a lawsuit is developed and filed, as well as offering representation in the event of a court appearance.
Source: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, “2013 Tennessee Boating Incident Statistical Report”, October 18, 2014