Safely Navigating Tennessee Waters – Ten Fatalities Reported in 2014

By Staff Writer

Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency has released new information about a Jet Ski accident responsible for claiming the life of a 14-year-old girl from Bristol, Virginia on July 12, 2014. According to TWRA Spokesman Matt Cameron, Steve Stout (of Bristol, Virginia) was operating a jet ski on Boone Lake in northeast Tennessee when it collided with another watercraft carrying his daughter and another occupant. TWRA officers will try to piece together the accident.

This is the tenth death on Tennessee waters so far in 2014. Tennessee comes in at 10^th on the list of the highest number of recreational boating accidents that occur in the nation. Last year there were 119 boating accidents resulting in 20 deaths. These numbers are luckily down from 2012 when there 147 recreational boating accidents resulting in 21 deaths.

What to Do After a Boating Accident

After a boating accident, assess the scene checking to ensure you boat is not taking on water and that everyone involved is unharmed. If anyone needs medical attention, please call the proper authorities.

Moreover, you need to assess whether everyone involved is still onboard a vessel.

If not, and the boat is safe, help them back onboard. In the case of a boat that is taking on water or broken apart, locate life jackets (for each person) and hold on to floating debris.

If the boats involved are in working order, it is a good idea to move them out of the path of any oncoming vessels. You should then contact the authorities (whether it is your local 911 or the Coast Guard). Make sure to give them the location of the accident and if any medical attention will be needed—both for your vessel and the other vessel(s) involved.

Federal law requires boating accidents to file reports if:

• Someone is killed.
• Someone is injured enough to need medical care beyond basic first aid.
• There is damage equals or exceeds $2,000 or vessel(s) is completely destroyed.
• Someone disappears.

Gathering Information about the Boat Accident

After making sure everyone involved is unharmed (or contacting medical care for those injured) you need to obtain essential information from the other driver—just as you would in an auto accident. This information should include:

• The name(s), address(es) and telephone number(s) of the driver(s)
• The name(s), address(es) and telephone number(s) of the passengers
• The names and contact information of any eyewitnesses
• The registration or identification number of the other vessel(s)
• The insurance company names and the insurance policy numbers of those involved

Taking photos of damage and the location of the accident can also be helpful.

If you have been in a boating accident and need assistance with obtaining compensation for injuries and damages, please schedule a free consultation with personal injury attorneys at Knoxville’s Gilreath & Associates today. We can help you determine if you have a case, and the best course of action for filing a claim.

For general information about accidents in general, please continue browsing our blog and knowledge center.

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