Nearly 1 in 3 Americans are estimated to go boating each year.

Most of the people who go out onto the water or operate a watercraft only do so once a year or a few times in the summer. They often lack experience, and few understand the laws, aquatic terrain, or requirements necessary to stay safe.

This can all coalesce into a recipe for disaster that results in injury or worse.

Georgia has several popular lakes and ample access to the Atlantic coastline and ocean. Although rare, boating accident injuries and deaths can happen swiftly and unexpectedly.

 If an injury or death was caused by a boater operating in a negligent or reckless manner, speak with a boating accident lawyer for a free case evaluation.

Fatal Boat Accident Injuries

Many boating accident injuries turn fatal due to drowning. The victim falls into the water and, either because of their injuries, confusion, or unconscious state, they stay under too long to be resuscitated.

Drowning accounted for 75 percent of boating deaths, with nearly 9 out of 10 of those victims not wearing life jackets. The Coast Guard recommends boaters wear properly sized and secured life jackets.

Lake Lanier Is the Deadliest Lake in Georgia

Local rumor claims Lake Lanier is cursed due to the many people who have died in the lake — more than 500 since the Buford Dam’s construction in 1956. Some superstition runs deeper, the cause of so many deaths attributed to the spirits left behind in the flooded graves below or the expulsions of both Native and Black communities over the centuries.

However, the reality is likely much more mundane and simple: Lake Lanier touches multiple northern Metro Atlanta counties, making it one of the most popular boating and swimming destinations in Georgia. Debris and rubble consisting of sunken boats, chairs, wire, and more lie hidden within its dark, murky waters.

Of the 39 drownings that occurred in Georgia in 2023, 13 happened at Lake Lanier. One of the more unusual deaths involved a 24-year-old man named Thomas Milner, who jumped into the water by the docks and died of electrocution.

Biggest Factors in Fatal Boating Accidents

The biggest known contributor to fatal boating accidents is alcohol. Drinking while operating a boat was linked to 79 deaths in 2023 (17 percent of total fatalities).

Most deaths occurred on open motorboats, personal watercraft, and cabin motorboats operated by individuals who had not received boating safety instruction.

Distraction, inexperience, excessive speeds, and mechanical failure ranked as the other top factors in boating and water accidents.

New Data Shows Boat Accidents Are Declining

Fortunately, boat accidents and boating-related deaths and injuries are on the decline in Georgia, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2023 recreational boating statistics.

Last year, Georgia saw a total of 101 accidents and 58 injuries; less compared to 2022.

Boating Safety Recommendations

While enjoying the weather and company out on the lake or at sea, it’s easy to forget how dangerous the water can be. The Coast Guard recommends all boaters:

• Wear life jackets
• Take a boating safety course
• Attach the engine cut-off switch in case of emergency
• Get a free vessel safety check
• Have a functional radio on board at all times
• Heed the weather
• Boat sober

Georgia boating laws require everyone born on or after January 1, 1998, complete a boat education course before operating any motorized vessel on state waters. Even if you are older than the requirement, you should still review Georgia’s boating laws and responsibilities. A person is exempt if:

• licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel
• operating on a private lake or pond
• a non-resident who possesses proof they have completed a NASBLA-approved boater education course or equivalency examination from another state

Boating education courses are offered by the Department of Natural Resources, the United States Coast Guard, or the United States Power Squadrons.

Georgia Boat Accident Lawyer

Boating accidents can happen quickly, with severe injuries often leading to loss of life. A boat accident lawyer can help protect the injured person’s rights, get compensation for grieving families, and hold negligent parties responsible for their actions.

Whether your loved one suffered injuries due to a river accident while kayaking, a drunk jetski rider crashing into them while tubing, or a mechanical issue that should have been caught causing the boat to sink, the attorneys at Gary Martin Hays & Associates are ready to fight for you.

A personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit can’t undo the pain and tragedy, but it can help cover medical costs, funeral expenses, prevent financial ruin, and bring the neglectful party to justice.

Cases involving drownings and boating accidents need to be investigated quickly to preserve evidence and gather witness testimony. Call an Atlanta attorney now for a free, confidential consultation: (770) 934-8000.