Investigation Underway After Fisherman Died In Freak Boating Accident on Lake Lanier
(June 28, 2024) – A 73-year-old fisherman tragically died in a Lake Lanier boating accident after falling into the water.
Hall County officials are saying that the accident took place on Wednesday. A 73-year-old fisherman was in his bass boat on Lake Lanier.
When he tried to sit down, his seat became unbolted causing him to fall into the water. Tragically, he never resurfaced after falling in.
Game wardens were able to locate the subject with SONAR and extricate him from the water. But he was beyond medical aid and was later pronounced dead.
A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Georgia Boat Accidents
Drownings remain a major cause of preventable injury and death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Drowning deaths are on the rise in the United States, following decades of decline, according to a new CDC Vital Signs study released today. Over 4,500 people died due to drowning each year from 2020–2022, 500 more per year compared to 2019.” There are a number of steps that can be taken to prevent boat accidents.
- All people on boats should wear life jackets.
- Boats should be regularly inspected and properly maintained.
- Fences or gates may need to be installed around certain bodies of water.
- Lifeguards should be well-trained in emergency response and CPR.
Depending on the unique facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for any boat accident. For example, the company that manufactured a boat could be held liable. Companies have a legal obligation to create products that are reasonably safe. If a boat has design defects that lead to a collision, the company that made the boat could be held strictly liable. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any boat accident.
- It should be determined if the boat involved was part of a recall.
- Medical records related to the accident should be preserved.
- A thorough investigation into the cause of the accident should be conducted.
It can be hard to know where to begin after any boat accident. These accidents can be devastating for families. To make matters worse, boat manufacturers will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if someone dies while using their product. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights. In particular, the family of any person who died in a boat accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim.
Investigating Lake Lanier Boat Accidents
We at Butler Kahn extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man who died in this Lake Lanier boat accident. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent similar tragedies. Far too many people have died at Lake Lanier in recent years.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Lake Lanier boat accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of boat accident attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 678-940-1444.
