There was a deadly collision between a personal watercraft and a pontoon boat in Sullivan County, Tennessee on May 30, 2022. During the incident, a pontoon boat collided with a jet ski on South Holston Lake. There were two occupants on the jet ski at the time. The operator of the jet ski was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. Tragically, the jet ski’s passenger, Samantha Jo Hess of Kingsport, Tennessee, was pronounced dead. According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, both were wearing personal flotation devices. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted by this tragic accident.
There have been a number of recent incidents involving vessels. There was a deadly recreational boating accident on May 20, 2022 in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. There was a deadly recreational boating accident on May 22, 2022 in Hart County, Georgia. There was a boating accident on May 27, 2022 near the Fort Pierce Inlet in Florida. Five people were killed when two motorboats collided on May 28, 2022 on the Wilmington River in Georgia. Fifteen were injured in a boat explosion in Seneca, Illinois on May 27, 2022. A pontoon boat with 13 on board capsized on Lake Pueblo, Colorado on May 29, 2022.
A recreational boating accident can be the result of many factors, including: human error, weather conditions, equipment failure, poor maintenance practices, waves caused by other vessels, or a lack of equipment. An incident can often be a result of a combination of the above factors. Ultimately though, many of these incidents are preventable.
Over 5,000 boating accidents occur each year, resulting in over 700 deaths. However, most of these accidents are preventable if boaters take the proper precautions. Before heading out on the water, it is essential to check the weather forecast and be aware of any potential storms.
Our experienced lawyers handle maritime personal injury and wrongful death litigation of all kinds and the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or those who have been seriously injured as a result of the negligence of another party. The lawyers of Spagnoletti Law Firm have handled maritime lawsuits throughout the country including those involving capsized vessels.
The experienced and aggressive vessel accident attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of a maritime disaster. There are strict and short time limits on making claims related to maritime injuries, so please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your rights.