Lakes & Rivers with the Most Annual Boating Accidents in MN

With Minnesota’s well-earned reputation as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” water sports are extremely popular here. Whether people are ice fishing in winter or water skiing in summer, many Minnesotans spend their recreational time on the water. They boat on the state’s thousands of lakes, but they are also boating on the rivers. Although most people can enjoy their time on the water safely, when people don’t follow the state’s rules for operating a watercraft, there’s a chance for boating accidents in Minnesota.

Boating accidents can cause severe injuries or even fatalities. Learn more about the most dangerous lakes and rivers in MN and how our Minnesota boat accident attorneys can help if you suffered injuries in a boating accident that was not your fault.

Determining the Most Dangerous Lakes and Rivers in MN for Boating Accidents

The Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources tracks all boating and drowning accidents that occur on the waterways inside the state. The state began tracking fatal accidents in 1945 and non-fatal boating accidents resulting in injuries in 1970.

Fatal Boating Accidents on Minnesota Waterways

Although it was common for more than 100 people to die annually in boating accidents and drownings on the state’s lakes and rivers prior to the mid-1970s, more strict laws regarding operating a boat and enjoying other water activities have reduced the number of fatalities. Beginning in the mid-2000s, annual fatalities from boating accidents and drownings were often fewer than 50 in the state.

According to state statistics, more than 100 of the state’s lakes and rivers have experienced at least one fatality from a boating accident in the past 20 years. Of those, though, only seven have had three or more boating accidents that resulted in a fatality. Those bodies of water are:

Cass Lake
Clearwater Lake
Lake Minnetonka
Lake of the Woods
Lake Vermillion
Long Lake
Mississippi River.

The Mississippi River is the most dangerous body of water in Minnesota, as it has experienced 12 fatal accidents in the past 20 years.

Lake Minnetonka is one of the most dangerous lakes in the state. From 2005 through 2015, the lake saw 76 boating accidents that resulted in injuries. Causes like excessive speed, over-congestion of boats, collisions between boats, or collisions with a dock were the most common causes of injury accidents at Lake Minnetonka.

Common Reasons That Accidents Can Happen on Almost Any Waterway in Minnesota

Even though some lakes and rivers see more frequent dangerous boating accidents in Minnesota than others, such accidents are not limited to the most dangerous lakes and rivers in MN. Some of the most common causes of boating accidents on Minnesota lakes include the following.

Operator Error

When a boating operator makes an error in judgment or simply isn’t paying attention, this can lead to a serious accident. Inexperience from the boat operator is a key reason for errors, although alcohol and drug use can also contribute to making errors. If the boat’s operator doesn’t know the rules for direction of travel or speed on a particular lake or river, this lack of knowledge can contribute to operator error, too. It’s the boat operator’s responsibility to know the state’s laws regarding driving a boat while also understanding any local rules and regulations.

Speeding and Reckless Operation

When boat operators are going too fast for conditions or are simply driving recklessly, the chances of causing an accident increase. A boat operator who’s going too fast will struggle to avoid an obstacle or another boat on the water that suddenly appears. Boaters who are drinking or trying to impress their friends might operate the boat recklessly, which increases the chances of being in an accident.

Equipment Failure on the Boat

Boat owners who fail to properly maintain the watercraft could end up causing an accident on the water. If the equipment fails while the boat is moving across a lake or river, the boat may become stuck on the water, leaving it susceptible to being hit by another boat. If the boat operator loses the ability to steer the watercraft because of a malfunctioning part, this could lead to an accident, too.

What You Should Do After Suffering Injuries in an Accident on the Water

If you end up in an accident on the water, you should start by seeking medical care as required. If the accident resulted in injuries or property damage of more than $2,000, it must be reported to the Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources immediately. If you need to seek immediate medical treatment, have a family member or friend report the accident.

Law enforcement officials will investigate the boat accident, just like they’d investigate a crash that occurs between motor vehicles on the road. They’ll file a report about the accident.

If the accident was not primarily your fault, you have the right to seek financial damages in a personal injury lawsuit, just like you would with a car crash. You can seek a payment for your medical bills, wages you could not earn, pain, and suffering.

Your lawsuit might need to be filed against the other boat operator’s homeowners’ insurance policy or against a separate boating policy. Homeowners’ policies tend to provide limited coverage for boating accidents, but larger boats will need to have their own policy. You could also purchase uninsured and underinsured boater (UB/UIB) coverage on your own policy to protect yourself if an uninsured boat operator hits you and leaves you with injuries.

Count on Tyroler Leonard Injury Law to Help You Seek a Financial Award for Your Injuries in a Boating Accident in Minnesota

Whether you suffered injuries in a boating accident in Minnesota at your favorite fishing spot or on one of the most dangerous lakes and rivers in MN, you may have the right to seek a financial award for your medical costs, lost wages, emotional trauma, pain, suffering, and permanent injuries. The Minnesota boating accident injury lawyers at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law are ready to discuss your case and advise you on your options for seeking a financial award.

For a free case review, call us today at (651) 259-1113.

Attorney Isaac Tyroler

Attorney Isaac Tyroler has been a strong advocate for injured people his entire legal career. He has a passion for righting wrongs, and he deeply cares about representing injured clients who may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to navigate the legal system. He is compassionate toward clients and aggressive with insurance companies and defendants. He is on the elected Board of Governors of the Minnesota Association of Justice (MAJ), the top personal injury lawyers’ group in Minnesota. And is currently the chair of MAJ’s legislative committee. [ Attorney Bio ]