Wisconsin is blessed with thousands of lakes and rivers, and for that reason boating is a popular recreational activity. The boating accident attorneys at Murphy & Prachthauser understand that boating can be as dangerous as operating a car. Our boat accident lawyers have represented people injured in boating collisions when a boat is operated recklessly without regard to other boats on the water. The boating accident lawyers at Murphy and Prachthauser have brought claims against persons operating their boats while intoxicated, causing injury to other boaters. Our boat accident lawyers have also represented recreational swimmers who were severely injured when struck by boats.
A hot summer day out on the lake with a cold beverage sounds like a perfect day if done responsibly. Wisconsin law prohibits anyone from operating boats under the influence of a controlled substance or if their blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher.
State law also considers the following to be unlawful boat operation:
For more in-depth information, we recommend reading this helpful Handbook of Wisconsin Boating Laws and Responsibilities from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Follow these steps immediately after a boating accident:
It is important to report a boat accident if:
In Wisconsin, boat operators are required by law to report boat incidents to law enforcement right away and for a written report to be submitted within 10 days of the incident.
The boat accident attorneys at Murphy and Prachthauser understand that, unfortunately, people recklessly and negligently operate other watercrafts such as jet skis and even sailboats that cause injury to passengers and other boaters or swimmers in the area. If you, a friend, or family member find yourself the victim of a boat accident, contact one of our boat accident attorneys to evaluate whether you have a meritorious claim.
