Pontoon Boat AccidentsThe Negligence of Others Can Make Pontoon Boats Extremely Dangerous

Pontoon boats can lead to a great time with family in friends on the water, but it can also lead to severe tragedy. Pontoon boats were the fifth ranked vessel that led to fatalities in boating. The highest contributing factor of incidents and fatalities on pontoon boats was alcohol use. Pontoon boats are also often rented to inexperienced operators with little or no instruction from the rental companies. Alcohol use amongst these other contributing factors of operator inexperience or inattention can create dangerous situations for pontoon boat passengers.

One factor that also makes pontoon boats so susceptible to fatalities in accidents is the structure of the vessel. These vessels are flat, and often times only a thin fencing or railing is in between passengers and the water. Additionally, the dual tubes underneath the flat deck, “pontoons”, do not just keep the vessel buoyant. If a passenger falls over the front of the vessel, these pontoons act as an inverted slide that guides passengers directly into the propellors. This leads to propellor strikes that can often times be fatal.

Excessive speeds, alcohol or drug use, operator inattention or inexperience, and reckless behavior are the most common causes of pontoon boat accidents. If you are injured by someone operating a pontoon boat negligently, it is important to establish all parties who may share responsibility. Like other types of boat collisions, these parties may include:

• Boat Operators: through inattention, inexperience, rule violations, or alcohol use
• Boat Owners: for negligent entrustment or failure to maintain vessels properly
• Charter Companies: for renting vessels to persons without providing adequate experience or instruction
• Structure Owners: Dock, pier, or marina owners if inadequate lighting or markers contributed to the collision
• Government Entities: responsible for maintaining navigable waterways, proper marking of hazards, and safe infrastructure for structures like bridges

Pontoon boat accident cases are not as simple as a car accident, as they often involve General Maritime Law, admiralty jurisdiction, multiple insurance policies, and complicated liability issues. Victims of pontoon boat accidents may be entitled to compensation for: medical expenses; lost income and future earnings; pain and suffering; emotional distress; property damage to their vessel; rehabilitation and long-term medical care; wrongful death damages in fatal accidents.

Please call 301-888-HURT for Maryland Personal Injury Attorney George P. Patterson, with 30 years of experience in both state and federal court to schedule a free consultation. He is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and a Top 5 Maryland Plaintiff Personal Injury lawyer by Super Lawyers.  Patterson Law’s office is located in Annapolis, Maryland by the Anne Arundel Medical Center.