Three woman identified as Aurora Yeso, 53, Anesia Bautista, 47, and Maricon Abello, 34, were killed in a boating accident after their personal watercraft collided with a speedboat. According to a City News Service report, the fatal accident occurred the afternoon of October 15, 2011 on the Puddingstone Reservoir at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas. Officials say the Sea-Doo with three women on board collided with a 21-foot-long high-powered boat. Both the watercrafts were making a turn when they collided. The three women, who were all from the same family, died at the scene. Four people in the speedboat sustained minor to moderate injuries. The cause of this crash is still under investigation.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Aurora Yeso, Anesia Bautista, and Maricon Abello. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. I also wish the injured victims here the very best for a quick and full recovery.

California Boating Accident Statistics

According to the California Department of Boating and Waterways, there were 686 boating or watercraft-related accidents in California in 2008. In those incidents, 48 fatalities and 382 injuries were reported. About $5.8 million was reported in property damage due to boating accidents, during the same year.

What Caused This Tragic Crash?

Based on this news report, it appears that the Sea-Doo and the speedboat collided at a high rate of speed. Officials say the operator of the speed boat was not under the influence at the time. It is unclear at the moment as to why the accident occurred. It is also not known if a defective product may have caused one of the vessels to go out of control. Officials are using divers to search for a recording device, which they hope will help shed some light here.

Protecting Victims' Rights

In such cases that involve ongoing investigations, families of deceased victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, the family of a deceased victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of love and companionship. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

Brittany Stark, 21, was killed in a boating accident in the Colorado River, when the boat in which she was a passenger struck the shoreline. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal boating accident occurred along the Colorado River in San Bernardino County, the night of June 26, 2011. A total of eight people were on the ski boat operated by 20-year-old Gregory Kettlekamp when it slammed ashore. Stark was transported to a local hospital where she died. Two other occupants sustained major injuries in the crash. The authorities are investigating what caused the boat accident, and have not ruled out alcohol consumption as a contributing factor.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Brittany Stark following this tragic boating accident. My thoughts and prayers are also with the injured victims here, and I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Boating Accident Statistics

According to the California Department of Boating and Waterways, 686 boating accidents in the year 2008 resulted in 48 fatalities and 382 injuries statewide. During that same year, there were 47 boating accidents reported in San Bernardino County, in which 49 were injured. San Bernardino County ranked second after San Diego County for the highest number of boating accidents in 2008. San Diego County documented 55 boating injuries that year.

What Caused This Fatal Boating Accident?

It is not clear from the report as to what caused this fatal boating accident. Investigators will have to determine if the driver was under the influence of alcohol, speeding or operating the watercraft recklessly. As we approach July 4 weekend it is important to remember just how dangerous boats can be. It is common for boat operators to do things they would never do while driving a car. Speeding, going too close to other vessels, operating a boat under the influence, and driving recklessly are all dangerous acts that can turn a fun holiday weekend into a tragedy.

Liability Issues

The family of a victim killed in a California boating accident may pursue financial compensation for their losses through civil litigation. In this particular case, if the boat operator is determined to have been at fault, he can be held liable for the victim's wrongful death. Injured victims can also seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. An experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer, who has successfully handled boating accident cases will be able to advise victims or their families about their legal rights and options.

Lost a family member in a San Bernardino County boating accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal San Bernardino County watercraft accident. Call 866-990-8787. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE San Bernardino wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.

Several people were seriously injured in a boating accident at Lake Havasu near California Cove in Needles, the San Bernardino Sun reports. San Bernardino sheriff's officials said two Chino residents -- 39-year-old Lenny Clem and 41-year-old James McCarthy, were found trapped in a large ski boat after it crashed the night of April 16, 2010. McCarthy and two passengers from the boat were transported to an area hospital for treatment of fractures and other serious injuries.

Clem and two other passengers, whose injuries were considered life-threatening, were airlifted to trauma centers. Officials say McCarthy was driving the 21-foot Shockwave ski boat toward a launch ramp and struck the shoreline. Authorities believe alcohol may have been involved.

My heart goes out to the injured victims especially the critically injured victims. I hope none of them has suffered catastrophic injuries and that all of them make a quick and complete recovery. Please keep these injured victims in your thoughts and prayers.

Boating Accident Statistics and Causes

Boating and water accidents are quickly increasing and most of them tend to involve recreational vessels such as personal watercraft. With Memorial Day and summer approaching, it is important to take a hard look at the most common causes of these highly preventable accidents. According to the U.S. Coast Guard's 2007 boating statistics, the number of boating-related deaths fell from 710 in 2006 to 685 in 2007. But the number of boating accidents increased from 4,967 to 5,191.

Also, the number of boating related personal injury accidents rose from 3,474 to 3,673 and damages increased from $43 million to $53 million during that period. The most common causes of boating accidents are alcohol use, careless or reckless operation, passenger behavior and excessive speed. Also, according to this report, more than two-thirds of all fatal boating accident victims drowned.

Claim for Compensation

In this particular case, if McCarthy was operating the ski boat under the influence, he could be held liable for the serious injuries caused to the others. Injured victims in such cases would be well-advised to contact a reputed California personal injury lawyer who is experienced and has an excellent track record with boating accident cases. Victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost earnings, hospitalization, surgery and even long tern care costs. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.

What are some of the tips you would offer to boaters to be safe on the water?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

A 14-year-old boy was seriously injured in a San Diego boating accident after he was struck by a personal watercraft while riding on an inner tube in Mission Bay, California. According to a 10news report, the boating accident occurred the afternoon of August 2, 2009. The teen was knocked unconscious and found floating face-down in an area reserved for water skiing near De Anza Cove, San Diego lifeguards said. No citations were issued. The boy reportedly suffered neck and back injuries. This was also apparently one of 11 boat rescues lifeguards carried out just on that day.

I'm extremely relieved that this teenager did not suffer catastrophic injuries or death as a result of this boating accident. I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery from his neck and back injuries. Please keep this boy in your prayers.

Negligence in Personal Injury Cases

Obviously what this teenager was doing in the ocean had its risks. It seems he was riding an inner tube in an area that was reserved for water skiing. However, if I were a member of this boy's family, I'd want to know whether the operator of the boat that struck the boy was paying attention to his surroundings, whether he saw the boy and whether he had adequate time to change direction before hitting the boy. I would also want to find out whether the operator of the watercraft that struck the boy was under the influence of alcohol at the time. I trust investigators are looking into all those details.

California Boating Accidents

It is peak summer time and water-related accidents, injuries and fatalities are at an all-time high in California's beaches, rivers and lakes. A number of these accidents involve alcohol. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured as a result of a California boating accident, please consult an experienced California personal injury lawyer to find out more information about your legal rights and options. If the boating accident was caused by a negligent driver you may be able to seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages and other related damages. If it was caused by a defective product, then the manufacturer of the product could be held liable for your injuries and loss.

Two men -- Shawn Michael Wilson, 35 and Caleb Steele, 30 -- were killed in a fatal Orange County boating accident in Huntington Harbour the morning of June 27, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. Another man, 37-year-old James Geekie sustained head injuries, but survived. Orange County Sheriff's Department investigators have found that alcohol played a part in this boat crash. Both Wilson and Steele died when they hit a bridge during high tide. The men needed to duck to avoid striking the bridge, but they failed to do so. Wilson was the driver and registered owner of the 12-foot inflatable Zodiac boat.

Investigators said they found empty beer cans in the boat and also learned later that the men had been drinking at local bars before they took the early morning ride. Eyewitnesses also called officials prior to the boat crash to report "reckless boat riding."

This is a horrible and tragic boating accident, which could have been prevented. Boating under the influence is no different from driving under the influence. When you are boating, you still need those sharp instincts and presence of mind as when you are driving a car. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Wilson and Steele. I offer my deepest sympathies to them. Please keep them in your prayers.

With a spectacular start to the summer and the boating season in sunny Southern California, it is important to bear in mind that while boating can be a lot of fun, it can also be deadly -- especially when recklessness or inexperience is involved. Boating accidents are apparently increasing and most of these boat crashes involve recreational vessels such as personal watercraft. According to the U.S. Coast Guard's 2007 boating statistics, the number of boating-related deaths fell from 710 in 2006 to 685 in 2007. But the number of boating accidents increased from 4,967 to 5,191. Boating related injuries rose from 3,474 to 3,673 and damages increased from $43 million to $53 million during that period.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard's statistics, the most common causes of boating accidents are alcohol use, careless or reckless operation, passenger behavior and excessive speed. Also according to their findings, more than two-thirds of all fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those victims 90 percent were not wearing a life jacket. A majority -- about 86 percent of the operators who were killed or injured in boating accidents -- had not received boating safety instruction.

According to the most recent report by the Department of Boating and Waterways, there were 55 boating accident fatalities in California waters in 2007, half of those in Southern California. Twenty California victims were found to be under the influence of alcohol. Also, nearly half of the alcohol-related fatalities in the water in 2007 were boat passengers.

This tragic Huntington Beach fatal boat accident serves as an important reminder for all of us to not get on a boat while intoxicated or under the influence. Remember that if you cause a boating accident that injures or kills another while under the influence, you could be held civilly and criminally liable for the accident and resulting injuries. If you have been the victim of a boating accident as a result of someone else's negligence or recklessness, please call experienced Orange County personal injury attorneys who will fight for your rights and make sure you get the justice and compensation your rightfully deserve.