Several boaters were injured or killed on the lake in July of 2012, which stressed again the need for watercraft safety. In one incident, a 23-year-old Michigan woman’s leg was partially severed when the inner tube she was riding in was pulled under the boat and made contact with its propeller. The accident occurred when the driver put the boat into reverse to pick up other people who were swimming in Lake Michigan.

In another accident that occurred in July, a 55-year-old pontoon boat passenger was killed when a speed boat carrying six passengers crashed into hers. The other boat was towing an inflatable raft and did not see the boat being driven by the woman's husband, who was hospitalized with minor injuries after the crash. The accident is being treated as a criminal investigation.

Driving a boat is a big responsibility that some people don't take as seriously as they should. Just as vehicle drivers must obey all traffic safety laws to ensure everyone's safety, boaters must operate their equipment in a responsible fashion. Unfortunately, some see a fun time on the lake as an opportunity to drink to excess and behave recklessly. This can have devastating consequences, as proven by the accidents described.

Accident victims may be able to recoup financial losses

You may be entitled to financial compensation if you have sustained injuries or lost a family member due to the negligent actions of another boater. The law firm of Rubino, Ruman, Crosmer & Polen offers a free consultation to anyone who has been affected by a boating accident. Our Indiana personal injury attorneys are knowledgeable, compassionate and ready to take on your case. We have a full-time accident investigator on staff who will prove how your accident really happened. If the other party is found to be responsible for your accident, his or her insurance company must compensate you for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.