Tips for Milwaukee Lake Lovers
Wisconsin DNR offers tips for leisure activity accidents on water
On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Recreational Vehicle Accidents on Wednesday, May 7, 2014.
Spring is finally upon us and once again, and Milwaukee lake lovers are now beginning to return to Wisconsin lakes in their boats. That is why the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is trying to make the public aware that some very hazardous conditions still exist on area lakes that are sometimes overlooked. For example, although it may feel warm outside, it is important to remember that most lake water is still frigid. The temperature in the water may range between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to the DNR, some people are still going out on the lake and ice fishing up in northern Wisconsin. If you are planning on ice-fishing, boating or otherwise getting out on the water, there are a few things you should know first about what to do if you experience a leisure activity accident during the course of your outing.
Department of Natural Resources wardens say that one of the first steps to take is to conduct a good “stem-to-stern” inspection of your boat or watercraft. One example is to look for structural damage on the outside of your boat. Small cracks may have begun to form in the hull of you boat as it sat idle during the off-season. You certainly don’t want to get all the way out into the middle of the lake and then discover that you have a fast leak that will cause the boat to sink before you can get to shore.
Additionally, DNR wardens advise people to refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages and then operating a watercraft. This activity can be especially hazardous when combined with speeding on the water’s surface. That is why you should also wear a life jacket and tell others when and where you are going to be out on the water.
In the event that an accident should occur and you find yourself in the water, the DNR says that you should try to immediately get back into the boat. If you are unable to do so, then you should hug yourself into a ball and lean back as you wait for rescue. By staying relaxed, you can prevent the reduction of your body temperature for a longer period of time.
If you are injured in an accident at the hands of someone operating a boat, you should know that there are legal methods to recover the costs of your medical treatment, lost wages and other damages. It is important to meet with a Milwaukee personal injury attorney in a timely manner after such an event to ensure that you don’t miss the statute of limitation on seeking compensation.
Source: Daily Journal, “Wisconsin DNR urges boaters to use extra caution on chilly, icy waters” No author given, May. 04, 2014