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Over Memorial Day weekend, a boat carrying 13 passengers capsized on Lake Pueblo, Colorado around 7:30PM on Sunday, May 29th; on board were 5 adults and 8 children, all of whom were related.
Officials believe the fatal boat accident occurred as a result of high winds on the Lake, which is located south of Colorado Springs. Additionally, the size of the boat corresponded to a maximum capacity of 8 adult passengers, so this could have played a part in the accident in conjunction with the treacherous weather conditions.
Directly following the call, officials arrived on the scene and found 3 of the adults and all of the young children in the water, which at the time is believed to have been around 60 degrees. Soon after, they also retrieved the body of 38-year-old Jessica Prindle, the mother of some of the children on board. Nearly two days later, on Tuesday, May 30th, the body of 30-year-old Joshua Prindle was recovered with the help of sonar equipment after an earlier search had to be stopped due to the dangerous winds.
For both Joshua and Jessica Prindle, the cause of death was stated as drowning, with officials reporting that neither had been wearing a life vest.
On the day of the accident, most of the adults and children who were retrieved from the frigid waters had to be treated for hypothermia by the emergency responders, while one of the children was airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment of more serious injuries. At this time, all are expected to recover.
Depending on the circumstances that led to the incident, there are a few different parties that could potentially be held liable or considered responsible for damages following a boating accident. Consider the following examples:
These are only broad examples, but they provide a basic idea of how liability can be determined, though it's critical to remember that a seemingly unlimited number of factors can come into play in boating accidents. Each of these factors could have had an evolving role in such an accident and become determinant at different points in time.
The first step for determining who was responsible for a boating accident, whether fatal or not, is to contact an experienced professional who can take a look at the case and determine whether it's possible to take legal action.
The laws surrounding boating accidents can be very particular which is why it's so important to find an attorney who has experience in the field. By speaking with a legal professional, victims can get a complete understanding of their circumstances and what their potential legal recourses are.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to boat accident liability, so it's important that you consult with an attorney to discuss your individual situation.