Does The Boat You’re Riding In Have Insurance?

Posted on June 20, 2019 by Edward A. Brutscher
Does Your Boat Have Insurance?

Does Your Boat Have Insurance?

UPDATE:  We always like to update and repost this article during the summer months.

During the summer months the chances that someone will be injured in a boating accident are very likely.  Unlike cars, boat operators are not required in Kentucky to have an operating license or driver education.  This increases the chances that an operator of a boat will be involved in an accident, whether or not it’s his fault.

Thousands of boats take to the lakes and rivers of Kentucky each year without insurance.  Did you know that if you’re injured in a boat accident you might not be entitled to recover your lost wages, medical expenses, disability, or pain and suffering?  Unlike car insurance that is mandatory, boat insurance is purely optional.  Chances are you could be riding on an uninsured boat or injured by one.  If you are not the owner, you should ask the owner if the boat is insured.  If you are the owner, operating a boat without insurance isn’t worth the risk.  If you injure someone on your boat, you could be liable for damages.

Like cars, boat insurance is available.  If you are considering buying boat insurance, make sure that it includes liability coverage to protect you in the event that you injure your passengers or people riding on another boat.  It should also include medical payments coverage to pay medical expenses incurred by those injured on your boat that is not involved in an accident.  You may also wish to purchase uninsured watercraft coverage if you or your passengers are injured by another boat that does not carry insurance.

Unfortunately, this uninsured watercraft coverage is optional and must be purchased in addition to the coverages mentioned earlier.  However, many insurance policies offer discounts similar to car insurance for experienced boaters or those who have taken operation classes.

If you own a boat or plan on riding one this summer, make sure it has insurance in case of a boating accident.  If it does, make sure it has the optional uninsured watercraft coverage in the event the accident is caused by an uninsured boat owner or operator.  Given the speed and the lack of safety restraints or features, injures suffered in boating accidents can be catastrophic and even result in death.  Don’t take chances.  Make sure your boat is insured.

For more information on boater safety, visit the boater education website BOATED.

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New Stuff

Posted on June 20, 2019 by Edward A. Brutscher
Under Maintenance

We are pleased to announce that we have safely moved our prior site to our more secure server. You will notice a green padlock in the address bar. We assure you that our site is now secure and any information it may contain in the form of comments or submissions is entirely safe. We would have done this sooner if we hadn’t experienced the past hacking problems.

You will notice a new look. Our theme, which we have used since 2009, is no longer compatible with the newer security requirements. We will be moving to a newer more exciting theme in the future. However, we will continue to post helpful information on your Kentucky Accident. The look might change, but the information remains the same. We are once again excited to offer content our readers find helpful and useful.

You will also notice a new look to posts. A lot has changed in 10 years. With the recent updates to WordPress, we hope to post more vibrant and visual information. We hope you’ll continue to read. We thank you for your patience this past few months.

Posted in Administration, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Our Website is Back Up.

Posted on June 11, 2019 by Edward A. Brutscher

After several months, several efforts, and a ton of time we were finally able to get our website back up and functional after a recent hack. This hack left our website outdated and vulnerable and it has suffered in loss of views, loss of content, and loss of relevancy.

Unfortunately, we were not able to restore all the content that we have created over the past 10 years. We will continue attempts to update the site with prior posts and content, but some of the content will never be restored.

We apologize for the recent issues but hope you will continue to visit the site, which was the source of such helpful information over the years. We look forward to helping individuals who have questions about their accident and injury case and in providing them a valuable source of information.

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Website Issues

Posted on May 28, 2019 by Edward A. Brutscher

We apologize for the status of the website lately.  We have been trying to correct some issues related to a hacking event that occurred recently.  Please bear with us, as we attempt to get back lost information and get the site back to running correctly.

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Always, Always Wear Your Seatbelt

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Edward A. Brutscher

Seatbelt

Seatbelts Save Lives!

WHAS 11 recently reported on a fatal traffic accident in the Louisville area, suffered after a driver struck a tree.  The woman driver was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene.  Police were investigating whether or not speed and alcohol played a part.

Although the woman was driving an older model Volvo without airbags, there is nothing to suggest that the accident would have been fatal had she been wearing her seatbelt.  According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), lap-shoulder belt systems reduce the risk of fatality and serious injury by 50 percent when used by drivers and front-seat passengers.

What happens when you are involved in a car or truck accident and you are not wearing a seatbelt?  Not only are you at a higher risk of serious injury and death, but you may be found entirely or partially at fault for your injuries.  In Kentucky, this finding of fault on your behalf may eliminate or reduce the compensation you get from the driver, who caused the accident injuring you in the first place.  For instance, if your failure to wear a seatbelt is determined to have increased your injuries by 50%, then your recovery will be reduced by 50% as well.

Despite their perceived inconvenience, the time it takes to put on a seatbelt far outweighs the cost in injury and death occurring without them.  While wearing a seatbelt doesn’t guarantee that you won’t suffer serious injury or death in an accident, it clearly reduces the chance that occurs.  For your sake and the sake of your loved ones, always, always wear your seatbelt.

If you were involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault and you weren’t wearing a seatbelt you may need the services of a qualified Kentucky accident attorney.  He can evaluate the significance of such a failure on your claim and advise you of the options you might have.  Do not take the insurance company’s word that because you weren’t wearing a seatbelt you aren’t entitled to any recovery.

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11 Killed in Tragic Accident Near Munfordville, Kentucky

Posted on March 26, 2010 by Edward A. Brutscher

Tragic highway accident kills 11 in Kentucky. Courier Journal reports on tractor-trailer which crossed the center line hitting a van head-on.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of those in such a tragic accident.

UPDATE:

The Courier Journal article has been updated with more facts regarding the accident and victims, including the names of those involved. You can access the new article by clicking the link above.

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