Eight people suffered injuries in a boating accident after a powerboat exploded in Huntington Harbour, the morning of November 26, 2011. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the incident occurred on a boat that was headed to Long Beach. Officials say nine people, ranging in age from teens to 50, were on the 26-foot powerboat. The boat was two to three minutes away from the harbor's main public launching ramp when the driver noticed gasoline leaking and told passengers that they should turn back. That was when the engine began sputtering and exploded. The impact from the explosion caused passengers to be thrown into the ocean. Passengers suffered a variety of injuries including broken bones, scrapes and bruises and were transported to area medical centers. Officials are looking into the cause of the explosion.

My heart goes out to the injured victims of this boat explosion. I truly hope none of the victims suffered major or life-threatening injuries. I wish them all the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Boating Accident Statistics

According to the U.S. Coast Guard's 2010 statistics, there were 4,604 recreational boating accidents in the United States that resulted in 672 deaths, 3,153 injuries and $35.5 million in property damage. The most common types of vessels involved in reported accidents were open motorboats (46 percent), personal watercraft (20 percent), and cabin motorboats (14 percent). During the same year, 59 boating accidents were caused by ignition of spilled fuel or vapor, which resulted in one death and 38 injuries.

What Caused the Explosion?

Based on this news report, it appears that a gasoline leak led to the explosion. However, it is not clear why the gasoline leak occurred in the first place. Did this incident involve some type of defective product such as a faulty part? Was the boat properly maintained? Was the powerboat privately owned or did it belong to a recreational boating company? Did the boating company's negligence or failure to fix a problem on the vessel cause this explosion? I trust investigators are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Victims' Claim for Compensation

If the boating company is determined to have been negligent, then, they can be held liable for the victims' injuries. In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Huntington Beach personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.

Eight Injured in Huntington Beach Boat Explosion is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Eric Norris, 30, was killed in a boating accident in Lake Havasu after he was hit by another boat whose driver left without stopping. According to a KTLA News report, Norris fell off an inflatable chair as he was being towed by a boat the evening of July 3, 2010 near Havasu Landing Casino. Norris was floating in the water waiting for his boat to come back and pick him up when he was struck by another boat, San Bernardino Sheriff's officials said.

Hit-and-Run Boater

The driver of the boat who ran him over did not stop. Norris died at the scene. Officials are looking for the hit-and-run boat, which is described as a 25-foot-long red vessel with a white stripe, a V-hull and an enclosed bow. The boat was last seen heading in the direction of Chalk Cliffs. Its operator was described as a white, heavy-set man with a mustache.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Eric Norris for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. He is survived by a 7-year-old son and an 88-year-old grandmother for whom he was the sole caretaker. Tragic! Friends have set up a memorial web site, www.ericoctopusnorris.com with information about donating money to help cover Norris' funeral costs and to create a trust fund for his son. Norris' family members will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.

Liability Issues

I trust this hit-and-run boat driver will soon be apprehended and brought to justice. It is illegal under California to leave the scene of any traffic accident and that includes a boat accident. This driver should have remained at the scene, waited for the authorities to arrive and helped the injured victim in any way he could. But, he chose to drive away from the scene. He was required to stop irrespective of whether the accident was his fault or not.

In such cases where negligence or wrongdoing may have been involved, family members of deceased accident victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.

In your opinion, what are the most common dangers faced by boaters in our waters?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Huntington Beach Man Killed in Lake Havasu Boating Accident is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

The San Bernardino County District Attorney's office is considering filing charges against two boaters who caused a boating accident on the Colorado River, which seriously injured 45-year-old Stefani Rhoades. According to a news report in the San Bernardino Sun, the accident occurred when Russell Beck, 45, was operating his 2000 Ultra jet boat west on the river with three passengers. At the time Kirk Tahmizian was speeding in the area in a 27-foot Calibre power boat and ended up colliding with Beck's watercraft. Rhoades was taken to the hospital with serious back injuries. Beck was arrested on suspicion of felony boating under the influence with injuries. Officials are considering filing charges against Tahmizian for causing the collision.

I sympathize with Stefani Rhoades, the victim who was seriously injured in this crash. I'm pleased to hear that she has been released from the hospital. I wish Rhoades the very best for a speedy and complete recovery from her injuries. She will be in my prayers.

California Boating Accident Statistics

According to the most recent report by the Department of Boating and Waterways, there were 55 boating accident fatalities in California waters in 2007, half of those in Southern California. Twenty California victims were found to be under the influence of alcohol. Also, nearly half of the alcohol-related fatalities in the water in 2007 were boat passengers. According to the U.S. Coast Guard's 2007 boating statistics, the number of boating-related deaths fell from 710 in 2006 to 685 in 2007. But the number of boating accidents increased from 4,967 to 5,191. Boating related injuries rose from 3,474 to 3,673 and damages increased from $43 million to $53 million during that period.

In California, boating under the influence, or BUI/BWI, falls under the Harbors and Navigation Code, which defines being under the influence as having a blood alcohol content of .08 percent for a recreational vessel and 0.04 percent for a commercial craft. The statute sets a zero tolerance for water craft such as aquaplanes and water skis, meaning that the user cannot ingest any alcohol at all.

Boating Accident Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it appears that Tahmizian was operating his watercraft at a high rate of speed and recklessly. If he is determined to have caused this accident, he could be held liable for the injuries caused to Rhoades. Beck could also be held liable because he was operating the boat under the influence. Rhoades would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will advise her about her legal rights and options. In such cases, accident victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization and other related damages.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Alcohol, Speed Played a Part in California Boating Accident is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers