Yes. Coast Guard rules require that recreational boat accidents that result in one or more deaths be reported. More specifically, boat operators, or owners, are required to report any boat accident that results in death to the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or to the most immediately available Department Conservation Officer. The report should be made in writing, without delay, and by the quickest means possible. The report must be made within 48 hours of the accident if a person died within 24 hours of the accident.
Unfortunately, This Doesn’t Always Happen
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 28 deaths from fatal recreational boat accidents in 2013 that were reported in the media—but that were not reported to the Coast Guard. Other accidents could’ve occurred that were not reported by the media or to the Coast Guard.
Thus, if your loved one has died it is important that you don’t assume that the boat operator made the report after the fatal accident on Rough River Lake, Barren River Lake, or another Kentucky waterway.
What You Should Do
As a survivor, you should contact an experienced boat lawyer in Louisville for help. You may be able to recover damages for your loved one’s loss of life. You may have legal rights that you need to protect. For more information, please fill out our online contact form or start an online chat with us today.
Related Links:
- 14 Things You Need to Know About Fatal Boat Accidents
- What You May Recover If Your Spouse Was Killed in a Kentucky Boat Accident
- How to Prevent a Fatal Boat Accident