Any time you’re on a ship, there’s a chance of an accident occurring, just as there is when you’re in a car. But the difference between car accidents and ship accidents at sea is that the latter can result in a greater number of injuries or deaths at one time.
Even when there are no injuries, there may be extensive damage to the ship, which means there is a lot at stake. This is why it’s important to learn about the types and causes of most maritime collision cases. Consider some of the most common factors involving ship disasters.
The Main Types of Maritime Collisions
First, you should know how most maritime collision cases are classified. Generally, ship disasters are labeled based on where the ship was hit. For example, with a side collision, one ship hits another ship on its side. With a stern collision, one ship runs into the back end of another. And with a bow-on collision, two ships are struck by each other on their front ends, much like a head-on collision in a car.
There’s also an allision, which is when one ship hits an object that isn’t moving, such as a bridge. Any of these types of ship accidents at sea can lead to multiple injuries and deaths among passengers and ship employees alike, at which point a Houston maritime lawyer like Richard Schechter can provide legal guidance for those injured or killed.
Most Common Causes of Ship Accidents
There are numerous possible causes of ship accidents at sea that can cause injury or death, as well as damage to the vessel. A common reason for maritime collision cases is the weather. For instance, fog can make it hard to see well enough to properly navigate the ship, while heavy wind and rain can knock the ship around sufficiently to cause it to crash or even sink.
Maritime accidents caused by human error are also among the most common occurrences on the sea. More specifically, ship crews may be careless or negligent when they don’t know how to use essential equipment before they go out to sea, or when they don’t pay attention to maritime traffic and water conditions as they leave port. Unfortunately, maritime accidents caused by human error can lead to the injury or death of dozens of people at once.
Another cause of ship disasters is equipment failure, such as when the engine stops working, or navigation tools fail. Of course, the crew in charge of the ship should take the time to identify and fix failing equipment before beginning a voyage. This means equipment malfunction is not entirely unavoidable and can often be caused by human error.
Finally, infrastructure issues that have nothing to do with the ship itself—such as bridge collapses—can occasionally cause ship disasters at sea. But these are rare, especially compared to the frequency of maritime accidents caused by human error.
If you have been involved in a ship disaster of any kind and believe you deserve compensation, you should contact a lawyer who has experience with maritime law. Richard Schechter, a personal injury attorney in Houston, TX, has been dealing with maritime law cases of all kinds for over 35 years.
Please contact our office today to set up a free consultation so we can determine the next steps for your case.
