The study shows that Colorado ranks fourth in fatal boat accidents between 2020 and 2023.
The research by a Washington DC-based personal injury law firm Kitchel Law analyzed the boat accident data between 2020 and 2023 from the U.S. Coast Guard database. The yearly average fatality rate per 100,000 registered boats was calculated to identify top 10 states where spring boating can be life-threatening.
Colorado ranked fourth with an average fatality rate of 17.0 per 100,000 registered boats — 91% higher than the national average of 8.9. Between 2020 and 2023, the Centennial State recorded the highest fatality rate (20.6) in 2022, while the lowest (9.8) was in 2021.
Looking at the data, the spokesperson at Kitchel Law commented:
“The study shows that Colorado has the fourth highest fatal boat accidents in the U.S.
“These dangerous accidents likely stem from a combination of inclement weather, geographical challenges, operator inexperience, insufficient safety equipment, and overcrowding of vessels, especially during the spring season.
“To reduce such fatal incidents, a comprehensive approach to prevention is necessary. This includes enhanced boater education with location-specific training, stricter enforcement of boating regulations, improved safety equipment requirements, targeted public awareness campaigns, and infrastructure improvements such as better marked navigation channels.”
Table For Extended Results
|
Top 10 U.S. States with Highest Fatal Boat Accidents |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
State |
Fatality Rate 2020 |
Fatality Rate 2021 |
Fatality Rate 2022 |
Fatality Rate 2023 |
Average Fatality Rate (2020-2023) |
Rank |
|
District of Columbia |
168.5 |
0 |
0 |
53.5 |
55.5 |
1 |
|
Alaska |
50 |
29.5 |
21.6 |
46.7 |
37.0 |
2 |
|
Hawaii |
8.1 |
37.9 |
31 |
24.5 |
25.4 |
3 |
|
Colorado |
18 |
9.8 |
19.5 |
20.6 |
17.0 |
4 |
|
New Mexico |
12.9 |
3.3 |
7 |
27.9 |
12.8 |
5 |
|
Vermont |
15 |
21.6 |
7.1 |
3.7 |
11.9 |
6 |
|
Oregon |
15.8 |
11 |
10.3 |
8.5 |
11.4 |
7 |
|
Nevada |
7.2 |
6.6 |
11.6 |
19 |
11.1 |
8 |
|
Utah |
14.6 |
17.2 |
6.4 |
4.6 |
10.7 |
9 |
|
Idaho |
5.5 |
11.5 |
17.1 |
7.8 |
10.5 |
10 |
The study was conducted by Kitchel Law, a personal injury law firm serving clients and families throughout the Washington, DC area. The firm specializes in representing individuals injured in bicycle accidents, pedestrian collisions, and cases of medical malpractice.
Methodology
The research analyzed the boat accident data between 2020 and 2023 from the U.S. Coast Guard database. The yearly average fatality rate per 100,000 registered boats was calculated to identify top 10 states where spring boating can be life-threatening.
Data Sources
- Boat Crash Data → https://uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2021-Ch1.pdf
https://uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2023-Ch2.pdf
