[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/summer-is-here-so-are-boating-accidents\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/summer-is-here-so-are-boating-accidents\/","headline":"Summer Is Here \u2013 So Are Boating Accidents","name":"Summer Is Here \u2013 So Are Boating Accidents","description":"For many Oklahomans, there\u2019s no better way to beat the heat of a Sooner State summer than by getting out on the water \u2014 whether that\u2019s bass fishing on Grand Lake, canoeing the scenic Illinois River, or jet skiing on Lake Murray. But the good times can end fast when...","datePublished":"2022-06-21","dateModified":"2022-11-08","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/rbrlawfirm\/#Person","name":"Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons","url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/rbrlawfirm\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d0925a45a81b21fd1dd057ea2aa3cf0b7862bc7e8478f659a09444e627cf1a3f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d0925a45a81b21fd1dd057ea2aa3cf0b7862bc7e8478f659a09444e627cf1a3f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/rbrs-logo-96x96.png","url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/rbrs-logo-96x96.png","width":96,"height":96}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/rbr-boat.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/rbr-boat.jpg","height":"400","width":"400"},"url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/summer-is-here-so-are-boating-accidents\/","about":["Motor Vehicle Accidents"],"wordCount":553,"articleBody":"For many Oklahomans, there\u2019s no better way to beat the heat of a Sooner State summer than by getting out on the water \u2014 whether that\u2019s bass fishing on Grand Lake, canoeing the scenic Illinois River, or jet skiing on Lake Murray. But the good times can end fast when there\u2019s an accident, especially one involving:Impaired operatorsDistracted operatorsSpeeding or aggressive boat drivingBoats getting too close to othersFalls into the water or onto the deckBoats hitting underwater objects or other vesselsAccidents caused by improper maintenanceThese accidents are especially tragic when they could have been avoided by taking the proper safety precautions. That\u2019s why the Oklahoma boating accident lawyers at Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons think you should know these boating safety tips as summer starts to heat up. If you have been involved in a boating accident, contact our office right away for a free consultation.Boating Safety: How to Avoid Accidents on the WaterWhen it comes to boating safety in Oklahoma, here are a few tips to follow:Take a boating safety course. The\u00a0Oklahoma Highway Patrol offers\u00a0a free, six-hour course that can help you stay safe on the water.Do not let young people operate a boat alone.\u00a0No one younger than age 12can legally drive a boat. Operators ages 12 to 16 must take an approved safety course and have an adult present before they can legally operate a boat.Make sure you are familiar with Oklahoma\u2019s boating laws, which can be found in this handbook from\u00a0the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.Be sure everyone on the vessel has a life jacket that fits properly and is in good condition before you get out on the water.Keep up with maintenance and make sure there are no issues with your vessel before you set out on the water. You can get a\u00a0free vessel safety check\u00a0from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.Some of the most popular destinations for recreational boating in Oklahoma include the following:Spring Creek Swim BeachBlue Hole ParkFoss LakePawnee Bathhouse and WaterparkMcGee Creek ReservoirGrand LakeLake MurrayThese spots are popular, which means they can also be crowded. Be especially careful when boating in these areas.Recent Boating Accident StatisticsAccording to recent information from the\u00a0U.S. Coast Guard, there were 59 boating accidents across Oklahoma in one recent year, resulting in 17 deaths, 50 injuries, and almost $220,000 in property damage. The two most common types of boating accidents that year were flooding accidents and collisions with other recreational vehicles, at 10 accidents each.When to Contact an Oklahoma Boating Accident LawyerThe best time to call an Oklahoma water recreation accident lawyer is as soon as possible after the crash. Critical evidence can deteriorate or disappear in the days after an accident on a boat. An experienced lawyer can preserve that evidence, file insurance claims and demand letters, and negotiate on your behalf for the compensation you deserve.Contact Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons today for a free consultation with an Oklahoma boat accident attorney.Ryan Bisher Ryan & SimonsWe are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Summer Is Here \u2013 So Are Boating Accidents","item":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/summer-is-here-so-are-boating-accidents\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]