Spring and its accompanying warmer weather are beginning to take hold across Pennsylvania and for many citizens, this means it is time to get boats back out on the water. In recent years though, there has been an increase in the number of Pennsylvania Boat Accidents that are being reported.

The latest data from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission shows that in 2011, there were a total of 86 accidents on the state’s waterways, which was a 16 percent increase from the total that was reported the previous year.

Of those accidents, the most common cause was striking another object, with a majority of those incidents being collisions between two vessels.

Numbers like these leave many boaters wondering what they can do to stay safe while on the water this year and in the future. The Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers with Lundy Law explain some of the best precautions that can be taken include:

• Get Educated– Taking a boater safety course is required by state law in order to operate a watercraft. These courses provide participants with information regarding water navigation, boating regulations, and of course, safety.
• Don’t Operate Under the Influence– Drugs and alcohol play a role in the majority of boat accidents that are reported each year.
• Wear a Life Jacket– Putting on this vital piece of safety equipment is the best way to prevent injury in the event of an accident.