Dozens of people were injured when a yacht struck a dock in the Hudson River the afternoon of June 21. According to a CBS New York news report, there were hundreds of people on board at the time of the boat accident, which occurred in the water near the Henry Hudson Parkway and West 125th Street. Coast Guard officials in New York said the 200-foot party boat known as “Timeless” struck a pylon while attempting to dock near Riverside Park.
Passengers Injured
Marine units then escorted the yacht to a dock at West 125th Street, where passengers got off. FDNY officials said 35 people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, of which 22 individuals were taken to local hospitals for treatment. The Coast Guard said the yacht suffered some damage. The investigation into the cause of this boat accident is ongoing. Zytiin King, who spoke with CBS, said nearly 400 people were on board the vessel for her 69th birthday party. FDNY said about 350 people were on board when the yacht struck the dock.
One of the guests told CBS that “passengers were knocked off their feet.” One woman said her mother fell on her back and that she is in pain because of the hard impact. This crash comes just a month after a Mexican navy training ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge, killing two sailors and injuring 19 others. That incident is also under investigation. Last week, the captain of a 35-foot boat that burst into flames off the Bronx shoreline leaving more than two dozen people injured, has been charged with drunk driving. We wish all those who were injured in these incidents the very best for a full recovery.
Boat Accident Dangers in the Summer
According to the New York State Parks and Recreation Department, between 2010 and 2024, recreational boating deaths have averaged 22 deaths per year. From 2020–2022, the U.S. Coast Guard recorded 491 statewide accidents with 64 deaths, ranking New York among the top 10 states for boating incidents.
Boat accidents are especially common during the summer months when waterways are crowded with recreational operators. The summer months — June, July and August — consistently show the highest accident and fatality rates. July and August alone accounted for over 1,594 accidents and 125 fatalities between 2005 and 2018. In 2021, 63 fatal boating accidents occurred in June and 110 in July, peaking mid-summer.
These accidents can result in serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones and even drowning. Many incidents are caused by operator inattention, excessive speed, alcohol use or lack of boating experience — all of which are more prevalent during peak summer activity.
In terms of liability, boat operators have a legal duty to operate their vessels safely and in accordance with maritime and state boating laws. If they fail to do so and cause an accident, they can be held liable for injuries. Liability may extend to boat owners, rental companies or even manufacturers in cases involving defective equipment.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation from at-fault parties for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones in boating accidents can seek compensation for damages such as lost future income, medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a boat accident or motor vehicle accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. We recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys‘ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/hudson-river-yacht-strikes-dock/