Despite what people living outside of Arizona may believe, there is in fact water within the borders of our state. As such, Arizona has laws in place regulating boat registration, safety equipment and proper boat operation to help reduce the probability of watercraft accidents and minimize the severity of injuries when accidents do occur.

Registration

An Arizona registration number is needed to operate, moor or anchor a motorized boat in Arizona’s lakes and rivers. Boats that are registered in another state or ones that will be in Arizona’s waters for less than 90 consecutive days are exempt from AZ registration requirements. The registration card must be onboard whenever the boat is in use.

Safety Equipment

Each passenger of a boat—including kayaks and canoes—must have a life jacket onboard that is certified by the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Adults do not need to wear their life jackets, but children 12 and younger are required to wear them. Adults who are wake surfing, water skiing or partaking in a similar activity where they are pulled by a boat must wear life jackets.

Life jackets should fit snugly and be easy to access in the event of an emergency. All boats that are over 16 feet in length, except for canoes and kayaks, must have a throwable flotation device. Navigation lights are required during periods of low visibility like fog and heavy rain.

Drugs and Alcohol

Anyone who operates a power-driven boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be charged with an OUI (Operating Under the Influence), which is essentially the boat equivalent of a DUI. Intoxicated boaters cause nearly a third of fatal boat accidents across the country. If someone’s blood alcohol concentration is over 20 percent, they could be fined and face jail time.

What Are Common Causes of Boating Accidents in Arizona?

Reckless Operation

Arizona’s Department of Game and Fish enforces boating laws to keep Arizona’s waterways safe. Violation of these laws—intentionally or otherwise—puts everyone in the water at increased risk.

Operator Inattention

A boat’s operator should always be aware of their surroundings, including the boat’s passengers, fixed objects in the water and moving objects like other watercraft and swimmers. Distractions or failure to notice these objects can lead to dangerous collisions.

Defective Parts

A boat operator’s negligence is not always the cause of accidents on Arizona waterways. Some boating accidents happen when the watercraft’s components do not work as intended. Faulty parts may impact a boat’s steering, buoyancy or a plethora of other functions. Defective boat parts can lead to severe bodily harm. The boat’s manufacturer is responsible for ensuring their products are safe. If they fail to conduct adequate product testing and quality control management before selling to customers, they may be held liable for injuries or deaths that occur due to defects.     

What Should I Do After a Boating Accident?

It is best to remain calm if you are in a boating accident. First, stabilize anyone who is injured and seek any necessary medical help. The boat operator(s) and owner(s) should exchange their personal contact information and the boat’s registration with all involved parties. The accident should be reported to local police and Arizona’s Department of Game and Fish as soon as possible.

Call a Boat Accident Injury Lawyer in Arizona

Have you suffered a boating accident in Arizona that was caused by someone else’s negligence? If you have, then you may be eligible for compensation.

Personal injury settlements help people pay their medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and other incurred damages. Boat accident lawyers have experience dealing with insurance companies to win clients the settlements they deserve.

PHX Elite Lawyers is dedicated to helping Arizona residents find quality representation for their personal injury claims and legal cases. Visit our website to find a local boat accident lawyer today.