According to a report from KPLC 7 News, a Texas man was killed in a tragic boating accident in Louisiana. Local authorities report that Ryan M. McLelland, 41 of Dayton, TX, was ejected from a boat and then struck by it.
Unfortunately, boat accidents remain a serious safety concern in Texas and throughout the entire country. In this article, our Houston boat accident lawyer explains why we know about the incident and reviews the latest recreational boating safety data.
Texas Man Killed in Boat Accident During Early-Morning Fishing Trip
A representative of the Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office told reporters that they received an emergency call at approximately 7:00 AM on the morning of May 6th, 2022. The call stated that a man was observed floating face down in Calcasieu Lake. Within the hour, the body was retrieved and the victim was pronounced dead.
Based on a preliminary investigation, officials believe that Mr. McLelland was thrown from his fishing vessel and then struck by the boat. The unmanned boat was initially seen circling near his body by a witness. The tragic boating accident is still under a more comprehensive investigation by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Boat Accident are a Serious Safety Concern
Boat safety remains of the utmost level of importance. Boat accidents remain a very serious safety concern. According to a report from the United States Coast Guard (USGC) Boating Safety Division, there were nearly 5,300 recreational boating accidents reported to the agency in 2020 alone. These accidents resulted in 3,191 confirmed injuries and 767 confirmed fatalities. Notably, there was a 25% increase in the number of boat accident fatalities in the U.S. in 2020 than in 2019. The USCG theorizes that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in both boating and boat accidents.
The USCG also confirms that 75% of all recreational boat accident fatalities reported in the United States were caused, primarily, by drowning. Of those victims who drowned in recreational boat accidents in 2020, 86% were not wearing life jackets at the time of the incident. Life jackets, along with other safety precautions, can help you prevent serious boat accident injuries and fatalities. The USCG’s Boating Safety Division notes that most of the accidents investigated by the agency occurred due to one or more safety violations. Proper safety precautions can save lives.
Call Our Houston, TX Boat Accident Injury Attorney for Immediate Legal Assistance
At the Kolodny Law Firm, we are the right team to fight for you and your family. If you or your loved one was seriously harmed in a boating accident our maritime injury lawyer is ready to help. Give us a call now or connect with us directly through our website to set up your no cost, no obligation initial consultation. We handle boat accident injury claims in Texas and throughout the Gulf Coast.
Alan Kolodny is committed to representing injured clients in Texas and throughout the United States. Alan earned his B.A. from Rice University and his J.D. from Southern Methodist University.
He focuses his practice on representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases involving the following matters: maritime and offshore accidents, including those under the Jones Act; automobile and 18-wheeler truck accidents; and industrial site accidents, work-related accidents, and claims for injured railroad workers under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.
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