Boating Safety Tips

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Posted on 29th May 2010 by admin in Uncategorized

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The Coast Guard and other associations have safety tips and procedures available to boaters regardless of what type of watercraft is operated. Knowledge of these techniques and procedures reduces the risk of accident, injury or possible death that can suddenly occur.

Life Jackets

Watercraft operators and passengers should always wear properly fitting life jackets while on the water. Many accidents happen suddenly and without warning, leaving no time to find and apply a life jacket. Numerous water fatalities occur as a result of not wearing a life jacket.

Watercraft Safety Courses

Many government, local and online agencies provide safety classes to operators of all ages. Classes are designed for the beginner to the advanced and last from 6 to more than a dozen lessons. Courses include instruction for various sized motorboats, sailboats and windsurfers. Students learn boating safety, boat handling, identifying weather conditions and electronic navigation.

Avoid BUI

Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law whether the watercraft is a canoe, kayak, rowboat or yacht. Alcohol is a contributing factor in one third of all annual boating accidents. Inebriated watercraft operators are more dangerous than intoxicated automobile drivers.

BUI decreases a person’s ability to think and rationalize clearly, making it difficult to properly process information, evaluate a situation and exercise proper judgment. Difficulties with balance and coordination contribute to decreased reaction time. Depth perception and peripheral vision are diminished along with the ability to focus and distinguish colors.

As alcohol effects the inner ear and balance, an intoxicated boater falling into the water may not be able to correctly determine which way to go to reach the surface of the water. This is how drowning occurs. Intoxicated persons also experience a false sensation of warmth, which leads to hypothermia, as the actual cold temperature of the water is not realized.

Devise a Float Plan

Regardless of what sized watercraft is being operated, how many people are on board, or what body of water the craft will be located on, a float plan is advised in case of an emergency. The plan provides detailed information including the type of craft, who will be aboard, when the craft is leaving and when it should return. This information is supplied to someone not accompanying the boaters in the event an accident occurs.

If you have been involved in a boating accident, you need an attorney who can develop a legal plan that is best for you. You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical bills, or pain and suffering. Boating accident attorney Bloom Legal in New Orleans can help.

Personal Injury and Automobile Accidents

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Posted on 29th January 2010 by admin in Uncategorized

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If you’ve ever been in an auto accident, you know how disorienting the experience can be. Your immediate concern may be the assessment of any injuries, or potential injuries. If a loved one was in the vehicle with you, you may be focused entirely on them. Of course, there is also damage to your vehicle and the physical welfare of the party or parties in any other vehicles that were involved. In essence, life has become a blur.

However, this is the time that you need to do your best in order to remain calm. If there is no debilitating injury to you, personally, you will have to focus on what needs to be done, directly after an auto accident. The actions you take and the observations you make can directly influence the ultimate outcome of subsequent events.

Besides any needed medical care, your primary goal should be to make sure that you’re fairly compensated for any losses sustained by you and any passengers that were traveling with you, at the time of the accident. This means that, despite the initial shock that can follow an auto accident; you’ll need to take note of the details surrounding this traumatic occurrence.

We will include here, a brief checklist that you may find extremely useful should you find yourself in this unfortunate situation. You may wish to write these items down and carry this list in your vehicle – thus assisting you in the event you are involved in an auto accident and find it hard to focus your efforts. The items on this list can then be used when communicating with your insurance company or with an attorney.

At the time of the accident:

1) Obtain driver information: You’ll need to calmly (and without any hostility) exchange information with all other drivers, that were involved in the accident, such as name, driver’s license number, license tag number, insurance company name and policy number.

2) Photographs: When possible, take photographs of all damages to the involved vehicles and all your personal and passenger injuries. A general view of the accident scene is also needed. If your cell phone has a camera – that would be especially helpful.

3) Police report: Obtain a copy of the accident report if police responded. Ask the officers at the accident scene where you can obtain that copy (get a precinct phone number for directions).

4) Witnesses: Try to get down all names of witnesses, their addresses, phone numbers and any email addresses.

Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

If you’ve suffered an injury relating to an automobile accident, more information can be obtained from Bloom Legal, serving New Orleans, Louisiana.– visit them at http://www.bloomlegal.com/