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With more than 200 lakes and countless recreation opportunities, Oklahoma is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. From Grand Lake and Lake Texoma to Lake Eufaula and Lake Murray, thousands of residents and visitors take to the water each year. While boating can be a great way to enjoy Oklahoma’s outdoors, accidents happen more often than many people realize.

When a boating accident results in serious injuries, medical bills, or the loss of a loved one, speaking with an Oklahoma boating accident lawyer can help you determine your options and protect your right to compensation. 

Federal and Oklahoma Boating Laws

Recreational boating is regulated by both federal and state law. The U.S. Coast Guard establishes federal safety standards for recreational vessels, including requirements for life jackets, navigation lights, and other safety equipment. Oklahoma enforces additional rules through the Oklahoma Boating Safety Regulation Act.

Some important Oklahoma boating laws include:

Children under 12 may not operate a motorized vessel, vessels operating between sunset and sunrise must display proper navigation lights, and certain boats must carry fire extinguishers and other required safety equipment. Operators must also exercise caution around docks, ramps, and other vessels to help prevent collisions and injuries. 

The U.S. Coast Guard reported 58 recreational boating accidents and 11 boating-related fatalities in Oklahoma in 2023, highlighting the importance of following boating laws and practicing safe habits whenever you head onto the water. 

These laws are designed to reduce preventable accidents and improve safety on Oklahoma waterways.

Common Causes of Oklahoma Boating Accidents

Many boating accidents occur because operators fail to follow basic safety rules. Some of the most common causes include:

Even experienced boaters can find themselves in dangerous situations when another vessel operator acts negligently.

Depending on the circumstances, liability for a boating accident may fall on a negligent boat operator, a vessel owner, a boat rental company, a manufacturer of defective equipment, or another responsible party. 

Determining fault often requires an investigation into how the accident occurred and whether boating laws or safety regulations were violated. 

What to Do After a Boating Accident

The moments following a boating accident can be chaotic. Taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights.

If you are involved in a boating accident:

Oklahoma law also requires vessel operators involved in an accident to provide their name, address, and vessel identification information to injured parties and property owners whose property was damaged.

Reporting a Boating Accident in Oklahoma

Certain boating accidents must be reported to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Marine Enforcement Division.

Under Oklahoma law, accident reports are required when an accident results in:

Accident reports should be submitted as soon as possible after a qualifying accident. Prompt reporting can help preserve important evidence, assist investigators, and help ensure compliance with Oklahoma law. Oklahoma law also requires operators involved in serious accidents to render assistance when possible.

How to Prepare for Boating Season

Many boating accidents can be prevented with proper preparation before heading onto the water.

Before boating season begins:

A little preparation can reduce the risk of accidents and emergencies.

General Boating Safety Tips

Whether you are operating the boat or riding as a passenger, following basic safety practices can help prevent serious injuries.

Always:

The U.S. Coast Guard reports that most boating deaths involve drowning, and many victims were not wearing life jackets. Simple precautions can save lives.

Injured in an Oklahoma Boat Accident? Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers Can Help.

When another person’s negligence causes a boating accident, the consequences can be life-changing. Medical bills, lost income, and ongoing pain can place a tremendous burden on injured victims and their families.

At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, we help victims pursue compensation after serious boating accidents throughout Oklahoma. Our team can investigate the accident, identify liable parties, gather evidence, and fight for the financial recovery you deserve.

If you were injured in a boating accident on Grand Lake, Lake Texoma, Lake Eufaula, or anywhere else in Oklahoma, contact Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

When you’re a passenger in someone else’s vehicle, the best way to protect yourself is to wear your seatbelt. In combination with airbags, a seatbelt can save your life in a crash.

But when you’re a passenger on someone else’s boat, you can’t rely on those safety features, as they aren’t present in boats. Instead, you need to take steps to protect yourself as best you can in the event of a crash or accident.

The next time you ride in a boat as a passenger, keep these tips in mind to reduce your risks of suffering an injury.

Remain Seated While the Boat is in Motion

Some of the most common boating injuries don’t involve collisions with other boats. Instead, they involve passengers losing their balance, falling, and striking their heads or other parts of their bodies on surfaces inside the boat.

When the boat you’re riding on is moving, stay seated. Whether you choose the bow or stern, sit only in designated seating areas while the boat is in motion. Never sit on the side of the boat (gunwale) or on a non-open bow that doesn’t have seating while the boat is moving.

Don’t Get on the Boat if It’s Over Capacity

Whether they’re pontoon boats, catamarans, sailboats, or ski boats, all boats have maximum capacities for weight and number of passengers. You should not exceed the number of people the boat is rated to carry, even if doing so keeps you under the boat’s maximum weight limit.

Never ride on a boat where there are more passengers than seats. And if you’re riding on a boat that is near capacity, ensure that passengers sit in a manner to distribute their weight all around the boat rather than having everyone sit on one side or at the stern.

Limit Your Alcohol Consumption

Anyone driving a boat should never consume alcohol. Oklahoma has laws against boating under the influence, and cited drivers can be arrested, sentenced to jail, fined, and face other penalties.

Although there are no restrictions on passengers aged 21 and up from drinking alcohol on boats in Oklahoma, you should drink responsibly and moderately. Boat passengers who are intoxicated are more likely to suffer injuries due to falling down in the boat or falling overboard. Passengers who have been drinking are also more likely to be unable to brace themselves properly before impact in a crash.

Avoid Distracting the Driver While the Boat is in Motion

Boating is a leisure activity, and it often involves plenty of good conversation with other boat passengers and the person driving the boat. However, you should be aware that engaging the driver in conversation while the boat is in motion could increase your risk of an accident.

Driving a boat requires the same level of focus and concentration as driving a vehicle, and because boats are open-air vehicles, it’s often more difficult for people to hear each other while they’re moving. Because of that, the boat driver may have to focus more intently or even turn to face you while you’re talking, which means their focus and eyes aren’t on the water ahead.

Wear a Life Jacket

All children under the age of 13 are legally required in Oklahoma to wear life jackets while on vessels that are under 26 feet in length. In addition, all boats are legally required to have at least one life jacket for every passenger on board. However, far too often, life jackets aren’t worn and are difficult to reach or access while boats are underway.

To best protect yourself, wear a life jacket at all times while on a boat, especially while the boat is in motion. If you don’t want to wear a life jacket for the entire time that you’re on a boat, have one handy and easily accessible near where you are sitting.

Contact Our Oklahoma Boat Accident Lawyers After a Boat Injury

As a boat passenger, you must not only trust that the person driving the boat is experienced, skilled, and safety-conscious, but that all other boaters and watercraft operators nearby are as well. Unfortunately, not everyone has safety as their top priority when they’re spending a day on one of Oklahoma’s many lakes.

If you or someone you love was injured while riding on a boat due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation. At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, we know how to hold negligent parties accountable for boat passenger injuries.

Whether the responsible party was another boater or even the driver of the boat you were on, we’ll work hard to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Getting out on a boat is often associated with leisure time and relaxation, but it’s not something that should be taken lightly.

When they’re not operated safely, boats can be extremely dangerous to the people driving them, their passengers, and others on the water. And when boaters cause accidents that injure others, they can be held liable for their damages.

In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the most common types of negligence that lead to boating accidents in Oklahoma.

Boating Under the Influence

For many people, drinking alcohol goes hand-in-hand with a day spent on the water. But just as you shouldn’t get behind the wheel of a car, truck, or SUV if you’ve been drinking, you also shouldn’t drive a boat.

The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for driving a boat is the same as it is for driving a car—0.08%. Driving a boat with a BAC at that level or higher not only puts you at risk of being charged with boating under the influence (BUI), but it can also increase your risk of causing a serious accident. And yes, you could be pulled out by a police boat if they suspect you are driving a boat while intoxicated.

People who drive boats while intoxicated are more likely to injure themselves and others because they experience symptoms such as:

Not Following Right-Of-Way and Other Rules on the Water

Just as you’re required to maintain your lane on the right side of the road when driving a car, truck, or SUV, you’re also required to maintain a “lane” and abide by “right-of-way” rules on Oklahoma’s lakes.

At the link, you’ll find a full breakdown of how right-of-way works when boating, including when overtaking other boats. In general, you should always stick to the right side of the waterway when approaching other vessels, just as you would when driving on land.

You should also keep an eye out for navigational buoys and channel markers. These signs can show you where and how to navigate your boat, where wakes are forbidden, and where swimmers may be present.

Driving Too Fast

Speeding is one of the top causes of car accidents. It’s also one of the top causes of boating accidents. The faster you drive a boat, the more difficult it is to control, the less time you have to react to hazards and the movements of other vessels, and the more serious injuries are if an accident occurs.

While there is no official speed limit on areas of water not marked as slow/no-wake zones on Oklahoma’s lakes, drivers should never reach speeds that put themselves and others in danger. Boaters should also take into consideration the weather, water conditions, the number of passengers onboard, and their boating experience level when reaching a cruising speed.

Driving While Distracted

Because boating is often viewed as a social activity, and because there are typically far fewer boats on the water than vehicles on land, it’s common for boaters to become distracted while they’re behind the wheel. They may think it’s safe to turn their attention away from the water ahead for extended periods of time while talking to passengers, changing music, or reaching for items inside their boats.

As with vehicles on land, looking away even momentarily is enough to cause a serious accident. When boaters aren’t fully focused on the task at hand, they can miss hazards such as partially or fully submerged objects, heavy wakes, and approaching watercraft.

It’s important to keep your eyes on the water ahead, your hands on the steering, and your mind on the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other people on the water anytime your boat is in motion.

Overloading or Unbalancing a Boat

Boats are safest when they are under their maximum weight capacity. Don’t assume that you can have as many people on your boat as it has seats. It’s common for boats to have more total seats available than the number of passengers they’re rated to carry.

When allowing passengers onto your boat, you should also consider where they’ll be seated. Try to keep your boat properly balanced by having passengers equally divided between its port and starboard sides, and have more passengers sit in the rear of your boat than its bow. You should also ensure that passengers remain seated while your boat is in motion.

Contact Our Oklahoma Boat Accident Lawyers After an On-the-Water Injury

When people are involved in car accidents, they’re protected by their vehicles’ frames along with safety features like seat belts and airbags. But when people are involved in boat accidents, they often have few to no safety features to protect them. That means even relatively low-speed accidents can cause severe injuries.

If you or someone you love is injured in a boat accident, Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers wants to help. We’ve helped many injured Oklahomans get compensation after boat accidents that weren’t their fault, and we want to help you, too. Place your trust in our experience and track record of success. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help.

When it comes to having fun on the water, it’s hard to beat a jaunt around one of Oklahoma’s many lakes on a jet ski. Whether they’re one, two, or three-seaters, jet skis are much faster and more agile than even the fastest speed boats, making them one of the most exhilarating recreational vehicles you can own or ride.

Jet skis’ speed and maneuverability comes with a significant downside: a higher risk of accidents and injuries. Driving a boat isn’t something to take lightly, and riding a jet ski is even more demanding from a safety and awareness standpoint. However, many people treat jet skis like toys and go zipping off without a care in the world, and that puts themselves, their passengers, and other boaters in danger.

If you own a jet ski or are planning on renting one this summer, these tips can help you stay safe on the water.

Ensure Everyone Onboard Wears a Life Jacket

There’s a much greater risk of being thrown off of a jet ski than of being thrown off of a boat. When you’re riding a jet ski, it’s essential that you and all of your passengers wear properly-fitted life jackets. Passengers can be thrown from jet skis and end up dozens or hundreds of feet away from them before drivers are able to turn around and pick them up. Without a life jacket on, weak swimmers can drown in that short timeframe.

Don’t Ride After Drinking

Just as you wouldn’t drive a car or motorcycle after drinking, you also shouldn’t drive a boat or jet ski after drinking. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair your ability to drive a jet ski safely and responsibly. Many jet ski accidents occur because drivers are intoxicated, and when people ride jet skis after drinking, they put themselves, their passengers, and other boaters and swimmers at risk.

Attach the “Kill Switch” Key to a Lanyard on Your Life Jacket

Drivers getting thrown off jet skis is less common than passengers, but it can and does happen. Thankfully, jet skis have “kill switches” than turn them off when their keys are pulled from their ignitions. By attaching your jet ski’s kill switch to your life jacket via lanyard or cable, it will immediately stop as soon as the key is pulled from the ignition, leaving you free to swim to it if you get thrown off.

Learn the Jet Ski’s Handling and Acceleration

If you’re riding a jet ski for the first time, or are simply riding a different jet ski than the one you’re used to, it’s important to go slow in the beginning to learn how it handles. Different jet skis have different acceleration and turning capabilities, and acclimating to the unique characteristic of the jet ski you’re driving can help you stay safe on the water.

Maintain a Safe but Steady Speed

When driven at very slow speeds, jet skis can take on water, get tangled up in aquatic plants, and even tip over. While you don’t need to ride your jet ski at full throttle (and typically shouldn’t), you should maintain a steady speed while you’re out on the open water. Not only does this help you keep pace with other watercraft and avoid a collision, but it makes the jet ski easier to control and less likely to stall or flip.

Know the Right-of-Way Rules for Oklahoma’s Waterways

When driving a jet ski, you must follow Oklahoma’s rules for observing right-of-way on the water. In the words of the Oklahoma Department of Safety, “it is the duty of every vessel operator to take substantial and early action to avoid a collision.”

See the Oklahoma Department of Safety website for full details on following right-of-way, and when you are the “stand-on” vs the “give-way” vessel.

Be on the Lookout for “No Wake” Zones

When approaching docks, marinas, swimming areas, sloughs, and other secluded or public areas of the water, you’ll need to reduce your speed to avoid creating a wake. Not only does this protect the people in those areas, but it also reduces your risk of an accident due to hitting other watercraft, swimmers, or submerged rocks and plants.

Jet Ski or Boating Accident that Wasn’t Your Fault? We Want to Help.

At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, we love spending summers on Oklahoma’s many bodies of water. There’s nothing like a summer day on the lake with friends and family, but all it takes is one person’s negligence to cause a devastating injury that can change a person’s life forever.

If you or someone you love is injured in an accident on the water, our Oklahoma boating accident lawyers want to help you get the compensation you’re owed.

 Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll work hard to get you maximum compensation.

Going out on a boat can be relaxing, fun, and a great way to spend a summer day with friends and family. However, driving a boat isn’t something to be taken lightly. Boating can be dangerous, even in perfect conditions, and boaters must be prepared for emergencies and life-threatening situations.

To keep boaters safe, the Oklahoma requires certain equipment onboard for all boats. If these requirements aren’t met, boaters can be pulled over and ticketed. In some cases, they can even be arrested.

If you own a boat or plan on purchasing one, ensure that you meet these requirements to avoid a ticket and to keep yourself and your passengers safe in the event of an emergency on the water.

Registration and Title

All boats in Oklahoma must be registered and titled within 30 days of purchase. Registration numbers and a registration decal must be prominently displayed on boats in block, high-contrast lettering that’s located on both sides of the bow and above the waterline.

Personal Flotation Devices

Boats must have at least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device for every person on board. Boats that are 16’ or longer must also be equipped with at least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type IV throwable device, such as a life ring.

All passengers 12 years old and younger must wear flotation devices while boats are underway, and everyone who is being towed by a boat while water skiing, wakeboarding, or tubing must also wear a life jacket, regardless of age. 

Fire Extinguishers

Boats with gasoline-powered engines are required to have at least one fire extinguisher onboard. Boats that are between 26’ and 40’ in length must have either two B1 fire extinguishers or one B2 fire extinguisher, while boats between 40’ and 65’ in length must have three B1 fire extinguishers or two B2 fire extinguishers.

Mechanical Sound-Producing Devices

It’s important to be able to communicate with other boaters and people in the water. For this reason, boats must be equipped with whistles or horns.

Lights

Not only do you need to be able to see to navigate in dim light, but you need other boaters to see you, too. Boats that are operated between sunset and sunrise must display working lights while on the water. They also must have working lights turned on during times of reduced visibility, including fog, heavy rain, and mist.

Boater Education Cards

Watercraft driven by children between the ages of 12 (the minimum age for driving a boat in Oklahoma) and 16 must have their boater education certificates on board to prove that they’re legally allowed to drive the vessels.

You Should Also Stock Your Boat with These Optional Items

Although these safety items aren’t required by law in Oklahoma, they can help make your next outing safer and more comfortable:

Understanding Oklahoma Boating Laws and Regulations

Keeping your boat stocked with all of the items legally required by law doesn’t just help you avoid a citation—it also ensures your safety and the safety of your passengers in the event of an emergency. However, true safety on the water requires doing everything in your power to avoid those situations in the first place.

To reduce risks and the dangers negligent boating habits might pose to others, Oklahoma requires boaters to observe a few important laws on the water, including:

After a Boat Accident, Contact Our Firm for Experienced Legal Representation

At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, we know how serious boating accidents can be. Unfortunately, many people who take to Oklahoma’s lakes are reckless, under the influence of alcohol, or simply inexperienced behind the wheel. When that happens, they can cause crashes that result in significant medical bills and years of lost wages for victims.

If you’re injured in a boat accident that was caused by a negligent boater, we want to help. Our Oklahoma boat accident attorneys know how to build claims that maximize our clients’ compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Originally published June 27, 2022.

Boating season is here, and that means families throughout the Sooner State will soon head to their local lakes for days of fun in the sun. Getting around on the water on a boat is a great way to spend a summer afternoon, but not everyone can legally get behind the wheel of a boat.

Just as everyone isn’t legally allowed to drive a vehicle on Oklahoma’s roads by default, the same is true for boaters. All boaters in the state must meet a few important requirements, and their boats must meet a few requirements, too. In this blog, we’ll discuss those requirements and what to do if you’re involved in a crash with another vessel.

Drivers of Most Boats Must Be At Least 12 Years Old

In Oklahoma, children under the age of 12 can’t operate boats or personal watercraft that have more than 10 horsepower or sailing vessels that are 16 feet or longer in length. This designation rules out most engine-powered boats, including most small fishing boats. For safety purposes, small children shouldn’t drive boats, period, even if they are driving boats that are technically legal for them to operate.

Children between the ages of 12 and 15 can operate boats that fall into the categories above, but they must first complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators-approved boating safety course. If the vessel they’re operating is a personal watercraft, a competent person must be supervising them within 500 yards. If the vessel isn’t a personal watercraft, a competent person at least 18 years of age must be on board the vessel and ready to take over if necessary.

Drivers Must Remain Sober While Operating Watercraft

There’s no getting around the fact that days on the water are often synonymous with drinking alcohol. And while there’s nothing wrong with boat passengers ages 21 and up responsibly enjoying alcohol on boats, it’s illegal for boat operators to partake in the festivities.

Just as Oklahoma has laws against driving under the influence (DUI), it also has laws against boating under the influence (BUI). Vehicle drivers who have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher can be arrested for DUI, and the same standard applies to boaters. In addition, boaters are required to submit to alcohol testing if they’re stopped by law enforcement on the water the same way that drivers are required to submit to testing if they get pulled over.

Drivers Must Follow Right-of-Way Requirements

Although there aren’t clearly defined lane markers on roads in Oklahoma, drivers must abide by right-of-way rules. Oklahoma’s lakes aren’t a free for all, and there are clearly defined rules for what to do when approaching another vessel. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol defines them as such:

Meeting Head-On

Crossing Situations

Overtaking

Drivers Must Equip Their Boats Properly

Boats must be well-equipped with safety items to be legally operated in Oklahoma. Children 12 years old and younger on boats less than 26 feet in length must wear life jackets when boats are underway, and all boats must carry one life jacket for each passenger. Boats 16 feet or more in length also must have at least one throwable floatation device on board.

All engine-powered boats must have the right type of fire extinguisher on board. Boats less than 26 feet in length without a fixed system require one B-I extinguisher, boats 26 feet to 39 feet in length require either one B-I extinguisher, two B-I extinguishers, or one B-II extinguisher, and boats 40 feet to 65 feet in length require between one B-I extinguisher up to one B-II extinguisher.

Finally, boats must be equipped with navigation lights when they are operated between sunset and sunrise.

Our Oklahoma Boat Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help After an Injury

Too often, boating is viewed solely as a recreational and leisure activity. Boaters often forget about the power of the vessels they’re operating and the dangers of accidents that occur on the water. Watercraft collisions happen frequently, and when they do, occupants can be seriously injured.

At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, our legal team knows the intricacies of boat accident claims, and we know how to get innocent victims full compensation for their damages. Contact us today for a free consultation and to find out how we can help your family after a boat accident that wasn’t your fault.

Boating alone can be a great way to unwind after a long day, but it can also be dangerous. Having another person on your boat means you have someone who can help out in the event of an emergency, whether it’s a sudden storm, a medical event, or even an unexpected fall into the water without a life jacket.

Although you should always boat with at least one additional person on board, that’s not always possible—and sometimes, the call of the open water is too strong to resist! If you decide to head out solo for some angling or just to take in the fresh air, keep these tips in mind to reduce your risks.

Tell others about your plans.

Before you even leave home, be sure to tell others about your plans for the day, including the body of water you’ll be on and how long you plan on being gone. Sharing this information can be extremely important if anything goes wrong on the water, especially if your boat breaks down and you’re unable to paddle to shore or flag down other boaters for help.

Stock your boat with emergency supplies.

Before heading out on the water, ensure that your boat has supplies you’ll need in the event of an emergency. These supplies include an oar, a cell phone (or radio if there’s no cell service on the water), and a device for signaling for help, such as a flag, flare, or flashing light.

Know how to launch and re-trailer your boat alone.

Using a boat ramp can be tricky even when you have a spotter and someone who can launch your boat while you park your vehicle. But going it alone can be even more difficult. When using a boat ramp by yourself, it helps to be familiar and experienced with both the process and the particular boat ramp you’re using.

Launching your boat alone takes more time than doing it with a spotter, as you’ll need to tie off your boat after getting it in the water and then park your vehicle. Re-trailering your boat involves the same process in reverse—tying off your boat, backing your trailer into the water, driving your boat onto your trailer, securing it, and then exiting the boat ramp.

If you need help and other boaters are nearby, ask for it! Even something as simple as being waved into the water can make your boat launch faster, easier, and safer.

Wear a lifejacket the entire time you’re on your boat.

As soon as you get on your boat, put on a lifejacket and keep it on until you’re back on land. When you’re boating solo, your throwable flotation device won’t do you any good, as there’s no way to retrieve it when you’re in the water. Because of that, it’s important to have a lifejacket at all times. This step could save your life if your boat capsizes, sinks, or you fall into the water for any reason.

Wear sunscreen.

Whether it’s sunny or cloudy, summer or winter, it’s important to wear sunscreen when you’re on your boat. When boating alone, you may not realize that you’re becoming sunburned until long after the damage is already done.

Severe sunburn can put your health and even your life at risk when you’re on the water alone, as you can quickly become dangerously dehydrated and disoriented. Wearing and regularly reapplying sunscreen can help you avoid a severe burn and result in one less thing to worry about while you’re relaxing on the water.

Avoid alcohol.

Boating while intoxicated is illegal in Oklahoma, and the criteria for it are the same as driving under the influence of alcohol. If your blood alcohol content is 0.08% or higher, you’re impaired and can be cited and arrested.

Being drunk on the water is even more dangerous when you’re boating solo. You may be unable to safely drive your boat, and you may even get lost on the water depending on your level of intoxication.

When Innocent Boaters Get Hurt on the Water, We’re Here to Help.

Boating alone brings many risks even if you steer clear of other watercraft throughout the day. But the risks of boating by yourself are amplified when you’re involved in a collision or incident with a negligent boater. If your boat capsizes or you’re thrown overboard, your life may be at risk, especially if you’re knocked unconscious, disabled by your injuries, or simply struggle to get back in your boat.

At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, our Oklahoma City boat accident attorneys help all boaters who were hurt by negligence, whether they were enjoying a day on the water with friends or family, or basking in the solitude of a solo fishing trip.

Contact us today for a free consultation if you or someone you love was hurt while boating. We’ll fight to get you maximum compensation.

Safety should be your top concern both when you’re enjoying a boat day on the water and when you’re towing your boat to one of Oklahoma’s many lakes. But many boaters overlook how important safety and caution are between those times—when they’re using a boat ramp.

On the surface, boat ramps are simple, straightforward amenities. They’re paved, downward sloping ramps that make it easy for boaters to back their trailers into the water and directly launch their boats from there. But there are plenty of things that can go wrong when using a boat ramp, whether it’s causing damage to your vehicle or boat, or even putting yourself and others in danger.

To safely and effectively use a boat ramp, keep these tips in mind.

Practice backing up with a trailer attached to your vehicle.

Properly using a boat ramp can be tricky even when you’re the only one using it. But boat ramps on holidays and weekends in the summer can be extremely busy, and there’s nothing more frustrating to experienced boaters than a new boater who needs a dozen tries to get properly angled into the water.

Save yourself and others that frustration by practicing first. With the boat trailer attached, head to a large, empty parking lot and practice backing up and angling into parking spaces. Note that your vehicle’s backup camera won’t be of much use with your boat blocking its view, so you’ll have to get used to backing up by using your mirrors and looking over your shoulder.

Use a spotter when it’s your turn to use the boat ramp.

Boating should never be done alone for two reasons. First, it’s safer to be on the water with another person in case you have an emergency. And second, having another person with you means you’ll have a spotter for the boat ramp.

A spotter can guide you down the boat ramp, warn you of any obstacles, let you know if your trailer is angling off-kilter, and tell you when to stop once your trailer is far enough in the water to launch your boat. Your spotter can also drive your boat into the water from your trailer, giving you a chance to park your vehicle and allow others to use the boat ramp.

Go slow and use your brake, not your gas.

Because boat ramps are angled downward, putting your vehicle in reverse means that you’ll barely need to use your accelerator when putting your boat in the water—if you need to use it at all. Controlling your speed on a boat ramp is all about using your brakes.

The slower you go, the more time you have to react to the movements of your trailer and correct its path if it gets out of alignment with the boat ramp. Traveling slowly also makes it easier to maintain a straight line once you get your trailer pointing in the right direction.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

On busy lake days, there’s no shortage of experienced boaters waiting for their turn to get in the water. If you find yourself struggling with your vehicle, trailer, or the boat ramp itself, there’s no shame in asking others for help.

Many boaters are happy to lend a hand to ensure that the boat ramp line moves quickly, and you can also learn a great deal from watching them back your trailer and boat into the water.

Be careful when parking your vehicle and exiting the boat ramp parking lot.

There are many people walking around boat ramps and their parking lots. That’s why it’s important to be on high alert not just when you’re launching your boat, but also when you’re parking your vehicle after getting your boat in the water and after you’ve gotten your boat back on your trailer.

You should always drive slowly and cautiously through parking lots, especially when you know there are many pedestrians nearby. Take extra care if you need to back up to park or exit the parking lot, as your backup camera may not be able to show you if there are any pedestrians nearby or directly behind you.

We’re Oklahoma’s Boat Accident Lawyers

Safely getting your boat to the boat ramp, launching it into the water, and enjoying a day with friends and family can be a stressful experience, but as with most things in life, experience and repetition make it much easier and faster. Continue practicing and following the tips in this guide and you’ll be a boat ramp pro in no time.

But when others are reckless at boat ramps, on the water, or even on the road to get to your favorite lake, all the practice and experience on the road may be unable to prevent you from being hurt in a crash. That’s where we come in. At Parrish DeVaughn, our Oklahoma City boat accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you’re owed after an injury that wasn’t your fault. Contact us today.

Oklahoma has over 200 lakes, which means that just about everyone in the state has a nearby body of water to enjoy. And when it comes to enjoying the water, it’s hard to beat a day being towed around by a fast boat.

Whether you’re planning on driving the boat, or you’ll be the tuber, water skier, wakeboarder, or kneeboarder, your top priority should be enjoying your pastime as safely as possible.

Follow These Rules for ALL Watersports Involving a Tow Rope

For a safe day on the water, follow these rules no matter who or what you’re towing:

Wear a lifejacket.

No matter which activity you’re participating in, you should always wear a properly fitted life jacket. Drowning is by far the biggest risk that people face when they’re in the water, and a life jacket makes drowning significantly less likely—even in the event that you become incapacitated or unconscious.

 Ensure your tow rope is long enough.

For maximum safety, the rope you use to tow your tuber, skier, wakeboarder, or kneeboarder should be at least 100 feet in length. Many tow ropes are shorter than this—around 75 feet in length—but the longer the rope, the less likely the person you’re towing is to collide with the boat.

Use the right rope.

The right rope for skiing, wakeboarding, and kneeboarding may not be the right rope for tubing. Tubes weigh a lot more than water skis and wakeboards, especially when they’re carrying multiple people. Ensure the tow rope you use is rated for the amount of weight you’ll be towing.

Use a spotter.

When tubing, skiing, wakeboarding, or kneeboarding, there should never be just a single person in the boat. Towing someone safely requires a boat driver who focuses on the waterway ahead and a spotter who keeps an eye on the person being towed and alerts the driver if they fall off or need to stop.

Hold on tightly.

If you’re on the tube, ensure you have a tight grip on the handles. If you’re driving the boat, don’t start moving until your tubers give you a thumbs up to signal that they’re ready to go.

Cross wakes carefully.

Driving over wakes is part of the fun of tubing, but large, choppy wakes can be dangerous—especially when they’re hit at high speeds. Use caution when crossing the wakes produced by other boats.

Be careful when turning.

Long tow ropes make the people you’re towing safer, but they can also increase their speed when you make sharp turns. If you’re traveling at 20 mph in your boat, the person you’re towing may travel at twice that speed when you turn. Keep that in mind and ensure your turns are wide, controlled, and safe.

Inspect the equipment.

It’s especially important to inspect tubes before putting them in the water. Damaged tubes can deflate while being towed, putting tubers at risk. You should also check skis, wakeboards, and kneeboards for signs of damage or excess wear. 

Be ready to turn around right away.

Even though the person you’re towing is wearing a lifejacket, you should still be ready to pick them up right away if they fall or let go of the tow rope. Do so quickly but safely, as being in the water for a prolonged time can be dangerous, especially when other boats are around.

Call it a day when bad weather looms.

Always check the weather forecast before you head out on the lake. But because Oklahoma weather can be unpredictable, you may be caught off guard while enjoying a day on the water. When that happens, don’t try to wait out the storm—head back to the dock or boat ramp right away!

Stick to deep water.

When towing people, stick to the deepest parts of the lake. This is typically the main “channel” where most boaters congregate. But you should avoid getting too close to the shoreline or venturing into sloughs, as the water level may abruptly become dangerously shallow.

When Fun in the Sun Turns Dangerous, We Help Injured Victims.

Many people underestimate the danger of a day on the lake. Safe boating requires an abundance of caution, focus, and experience. Unfortunately, many boaters in Oklahoma lack all three, putting themselves, their passengers, and others on the water in serious danger.

If you or someone you love is injured in a boat or water-related accident this summer, the Oklahoma boating accident lawyers at Parrish DeVaughn want to help you get compensation. Water-related injuries are often extremely expensive, and you may be facing big medical bills and no paycheck to afford them.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We know what you’re going through, and it’s our goal to help you get maximum compensation.

Boating season is upon us. Oklahoma boasts more than 200 lakes, making it a great state for enjoying a day on the water. But whether you’re on a pleasure cruise, towing wakeboarders, or just heading to your favorite fishing spot, it’s important to know how to drive a boat while near other vessels on the water.

Just like on land, right-of-way exists on Oklahoma’s waterways. Although many of the state’s bodies of water seem like wide-open spaces where you have plenty of room to do what and go where you want, it’s important to understand how right-of-way works to avoid a collision.

Whether you’re on a speedboat, a pontoon boat, or even a jet ski, here’s what you need to know about right-of-way on the water. 

Which Watercraft Has Right-of-Way?

In every encounter between two watercrafts, there’s a stand-on vessel and a give-way vessel. The stand-on vessel is the watercraft that has right-of-way and is supposed to maintain its course and speed, while the give-way vessel should stop, slow down, or change course to defer to the stand-on vessel.

 What to Do in Different Types of Encounters

If you’re approaching another vessel head-on, keep these guidelines from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety in mind:

If you’re crossing another vessel, follow these rules:

If you’re overtaking another vessel, remember these rules:

If you’re unsure of what to do, you should:

Injured by a Negligent Boater? We’re Here to Help.

One of the quickest ways to turn a fun-filled day on the water into a tragic event is to ignore right-of-way rules. Following right-of-way guidelines helps ensure that you stay well out of harm’s way when approaching and passing other watercraft, but not all boaters keep these important guidelines in mind.

If you or someone you love is injured by a negligent boater this summer, you may be eligible to get compensation for your accident-related expenses. Boating accidents often cause serious and disabling injuries, and it’s our goal to help the victims get the money they’re owed for their medical bills and lost wages.

Contact the Oklahoma boat accident lawyers at Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. We have helped many injured boaters get full compensation, and we can help you and your loved ones, too.