Boat Fire in Sacramento River
A boat fire occurred along the Sacramento River on September 13 that caused the person on board to have to swim to safety. The accident was reported by officials with the Sacramento Fire Department as occurring at about 3:30 in the afternoon close to 8300 Freeport Boulevard. A witness to the accident said that they saw the man swimming rapidly away from the boat, which was engulfed in flames. The man reached the shore safely. Although firefighters were at the scene and attempted to put out the blaze, the boat was too badly damaged and sank.
What Causes Small Boat Fires?
There are several common causes of small boat fires. They are:
- Faulty battery installation: Installing a battery without paying attention can end in a boat fire. This usually results from the cables being attached in the reverse order or using a parallel connection when it should be a serial one. If the battery is mistakenly installed by your mechanic, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against them to recover damages.
- Electrical problems: As we all know, aging can wear down wires. If this happens on your boat, it can lead to a boat fire. It is important to have the wiring checked by a certified electrician before setting out.
- Shore electrical systems: A shore electrical system malfunction can lead to a boat fire. If the power intake and the pedestal are not properly aligned, a fire can result. Inspect the shore power cord on a consistent basis. If the boat is more than 10-years old, the shore power inlet should be replaced if any evidence of problems surface.
- Other sources: If you are docked at a marina where there is a fire or if a boat that is next to you catches fire, chances are high your boat will too. It is important to have working fire extinguishers on board and know how to operate them.
- Engine problems: When an engine overheats, a boat fire can result. This can happen when there is a blocked water intake or from problems with an impeller. The impeller can be damaged from running in certain types of water. The impeller should be checked and replaced every 24 months.
- Batteries: Voltage regulators are a common fire source on older boats. They should be replaced if the boat is 10 to 15 years old.
What a Law Firm Can Do for You
After an accident, it is important to have the insight an injury lawyer can provide. At our law firm, we send an investigative team to determine why the accident happened. In a boat fire, there are factors such as defects in the engine, unreliable wiring or others. In order to get a true fix on why it happened, our investigators look into each possibility separately, giving them our full attention. If the boat was rented, we look to see if maintenance was performed correctly by checking records at the rental company. Once the investigative team has concluded their investigation, we turn the data over to our lawyers. If negligence was a factor in the boat accident, our legal team will build a strong case against the negligent party or entity.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Negligence can play a part in many types of accidents, including when out boating. If you suffered injuries from an accident caused by negligence, I would like to provide you with my free and friendly advice. You can reach me at (916) 921-6400, or use the toll-free number from other parts of Northern California by calling (800) 404-5400. I can be reached online at AutoAccident.com by filling out the contact form.
I’ve worked for 37 years as an injury lawyer, helping my clients obtain compensation for traumatic injuries, all types of car accidents and in cases involving wrongful deaths.
Among the groups I belong to, I am especially proud to be a member of the following:
- The Million Dollar Advocates rewards trial lawyers with membership when they have won over one million dollars for a previous client.
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel selects only those lawyers for membership who display the highest standard of excellence.
Client reviews as well as comments, along with cases handled by my law firm, are found at these links:
Photo Attribution: https://www.pexels.com/photo/bird-s-eye-view-of-boat-during-daytime-2684375/
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