Warmer weather is here to stay for the summer months in Iowa, which means summer recreational activities will be at its peak. For many people, this includes boating. As much fun as these activities are, they can also result in serious injury and even death when someone is negligent.

According to an article published in the Des Moines Register on May 18, 2013, alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. It was the main factor in 17 percent of the 651 deaths involving registered recreational vehicles in 2012.

Boats are as big of a danger on water as vehicles are on the road, and drunken boating kills and injures numbers of people each year.

In Iowa, boating while intoxicated (BWI) is just like driving a vehicle while intoxicated.

If you are boating, it is your duty to look out for others in the water–whether it is another boat party, jet skier or swimmer. Victims of boating accidents have suffered brain injuries, death, amputations.

If you or a person you know has been involved in a boating accident, contact The Beattie Law Firm. We are here to help you.